Tuesday, July 31, 2007

[snapshots] L'Arc~en~Ciel Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2007

Snapshots from Mezamashi..











Hyde said, 'Annyeonghaseyo' (konbanwa)^^

Hyde said, 'L'Arc~en~Ciel imnida' (L'Arc~en~Ciel desu)



They performed 'My Heart Draws a Dream' *envy*


TRACKLIST
01.SEVENTH HEAVEN
02.Killing Me
03.Caress of Venus

hyde MC

04.HONEY
05.flower
06.DAYBREAK'S BELL
07.MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM
08.叙情詩

ken MC

09.Driver's High
10.REVELATION
11.自由への招待
12.Shout at the Devil

Encore
tetsu MC

En1.NEW WORLD
En2.Link
En3.READY STEADY GO


Thanks to
さとる @ Mixi & many thanks to Asuka Tsuzuki (because I can't find the first source)

---

They performed DAYBREAK'S BELL too!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Next - L'Arc~en~Ciel New Single

Source: http://www.larc-en-ciel.com/ in Japan site. In English site, still not update yet.


2007.10.10 They will release another new single, title DAYBREAK'S BELL (another English title :P). Oh, the link bring us to Gundam00 site? It will be Gundam's theme song?

*edited*

From this blog, Gunota's, wrote:
"A news article from Sports Houchi announces L'Arc En Ciel's new song "Daybreak's Bell", on sale in October, will be the first theme song for Gundam 00."


Releasing single one by one.. it hard for me. I want an album!


Utaban 2007.06.07, guest: Kanjani 8 (part 2)

I made a sneak peak here, remember?

Finally after a month, I saw it!
OMG!~ I finally watched it! (((Hikkie-chan))) arigatou!! BlueEyedWolf & Himeko Himura mo arigatou for the English subs! Really appreciate it!

Don't know why, after join the files, no sound came out. I can't download again since so many files on my waiting list :(

Hahahaa... OMG, poor Yassu!! ( ^ o ^ ) Oh my.. Nakai-kun, you really took a revenge on them?? :P
This episode is really funny! Indeed! I laughed till my stomach hurt and i shade a tears. I recall, I think it's the first time I laughed so hard after a long time! I felt ureshii^^

Murakami was mistaken for Kimura? Hahahaa I never thought about it, but with this short hair like Kuryu Kohei, you looks like Kimura, Hina-kun!^^

So the big issue was, ' is Yassu a gay?' LOL hahahaa.. yeah, that's the big issue! poor Yassu. Nakai is the best in talking back, and he's senpai too, sure you lost, Yassu^^ Whatever you said, Nakai will back it. (if I'm not mistaken) I saw Maru said, Yassu dig his own grave! LOL (look, I'm grinning writing this :P) Oh hahaa.. oh my. This section, profile battle was crazy! Really poor Yassu, cause later Nakai loved to pick the 'gay issue' on him ( ^ o ^ )
The best laugh I had!

Ah yea, this is the first appearance of K8 at Utaban. Ah, I hope they will appear more in the future. Really awaiting for their next!

Snapshots coming soon~ I hope :P

[L'Arc~en~Ciel] Pentaport Way Hotter Than Last Year

They performed on Saturday night, July 28th on 21.00 - 23.00. --> 2 hours?? *shock* (http://www.pentaportrock.com/)


Source: Naver




added some more :D




cause I miss you guys!


~~~!!!!

Btw; uhm... no sign of 'pearching' ^_~ or I need to zoom out those pics? :P




Ok, found the news after the show. But sorry, for added comment...



Pentaport Way Hotter Than Last Year



The second annual Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival successfully took place July 27-29, boasting tighter organization on the whole, as well as diversity in its line-up of musicians, compared to last year. / Yonhap

By Seo Dong-shin Staff Reporter

INCHEON _ No pouring rain, but steamy hot weather greeted Korea's biggest pop music festival this year. But nobody seemed to mind soaking sweat or occasional drizzle. Without muddy puddles and restraining disposable rainwear like last year, people from all over the nation could simply let go, devoting themselves entirely to the performances. Indeed, the energy in Daewoo Motors Park in Songdo, Incheon was electric. Thousands danced, screamed and sang along to their favorite music and musicians, and simply had a good time.

The second annual Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival successfully took place July 27-29, boasting tighter organization on the whole, as well as diversity in its line-up of musicians, compared to last year. Artists took to the stage in timely fashion, and public convenience facilities sprouted in larger numbers thanks to growing sponsorship.

On Friday, the first of the three-day music fest, thousands of audiences assembled around evening time. On ``Big Top Stage,'' or the festival's main stage, OK Go, the popular American rock band famous for their funny music videos, stole the limelight.

The band's lead singer and guitarist Damian Kulash apparently knew how to strike a chord with Korean audiences. Armed wiith his killer smile that sent hordes of female fans screaming, ``You're so handsome,'' Kulash repeatedly shouted the band's name in Korean during the band's energetic one-hour performance, apologizing for speaking in English because he is ``terrible in Korean.''

``We haven't been to Asia many times'' were his first words that made the excited crowd even more hysterical. ``And you know we're a band that believes in unity. But you guys are way cooler than Japan!''

After performing the band's hit numbers such as ``Do What You Want'' and ``Here It Goes Again,'' the band delighted fans by doing what was ``embarrassing for them'' to reward ``such a wonderful crowd'' _ performing their funny signature ``backyard dancing'' live on the stage to the audio-taped hit number ``A Million Ways.''



Chemical Brothers took the stage after OK Go as Friday's headliner following celebratory fireworks. Unlike friendly OK Go, the iconic techno duo from England did not say a word on the stage _ not even a conventional ``hello'' or ``goodbye'' _ during their performance that lasted about two hours. But it did not matter at all, as their truly masterful performance combining mind-numbing electronic music sound with large screens projecting psychedelic images carried the audience across the universe.

``I felt as if a UFO would arrive here soon,'' Park Soo-jung, a 34-year-old fan who watched the performance, said. ``The Chems looked like leaders of some pseudo religion communicating with some extraterrestrial beings. It's so great that I can see them play music live here.''

Those who could not immediately head home after so much excitement danced through the night in the ``Groove Session'' held at a sub stage, commanded by DJs including BT, a pioneering American electronic musician.

On the second day, Korean bands filled most of the daytime line-up. Vanilla Unity and Vodka Rain performed on the ``Big Top Stage,'' proving they have gained quite a solid fan base after releasing a regular album each. For many rock 'n' roll-minded fans who did not quite like their rather amateurish live performance manners and balladic tunes, however, the sub stage would have been a better choice. Folk rock singer Ray Kang and indie punk band Johnnyroyal gave audiences a fine treat respectively, based on their live performance skills honed by playing in clubs around Hongik University. Meanwhile, two thrash metal bands clad in all black _ Korean band Crash and American band Testament _ gave hardcore fans their share of joy on the Big Top Stage.



As evening approached, the atmosphere heated up even more. On the sub stage, American guitarist Stevie Salas' Colorcode gave a truly funky and electrifying performance, while English band Ocean Colour Scene, whose participation was announced at the last minute, captivated longtime Britpop fans in Korea on the Big Top Stage. Opening their set with their signature hit from the 1996, ``The Riverboat Song,'' the band at first did not appear to be in particularly good condition, perhaps due to fatigue from playing at Fuji Rock in Japan the day before or because it was their first time performing in Korea in their 15-year-long career. Vocalist Simon Fowler asked if any in the audience had seen his band before _ to which many cheered. Fans enjoyed the slot as new tunes mixed with the old in the set list.

Then the Japanese took charge of the Saturday night. The headliner of the Big Top Stage, Japanese visual rock band L'arc~en~Ciel (they aren't visual rock band anymore >_>), proved their huge popularity in Korea with thousands of their decade-old loyal fans screaming with excitement. During their performance that was carried with rich visual effects, veteran vocalist Hyde, who remains surprisingly androgynous and energetic despite his age, 37 (actually he's 38), communicated with the audience mostly in Korean (well, I'd like to hear it).

In the groove session, famous Japanese DJ and musician Fantastic Plastic Machine took the stage, featuring dancer Atsushi from the band Dragon Ash, a band that performed at the Pentaport last year.

Sunday's Pentaport was surely the highlight of the entire festival for many, as the line-up for the day included Irish modern rock band Ash, Korean punk darling Crying Nut, as well as headliner Muse, the popular English band with a dedicated following here. But American band Hellogoodbye and Irish folk singer Damien Rice disappointed fans by pulling out of the line-up at the last minute citing health reasons.

Overall, Pentaport festival was an improvement on last year. The festival venue was more attuned to a festive mood, offering a wider range of entertainment and comfort including foot massage and hairstyling. The line-up was aslo more diverse in terms of music genre than last year, which was primarily focused on modern rock.

For Pentaport to establish itself as a leading music festival not only in Korea but also in Asia, the line-up needs to empower itself a great deal more with a wider selection of music. But then again, it will be only be possible if more people get interested in the music and festival culture and are willing to pay for it.

saltwall@koreatimes.co.kr



Source: Korea Times




I'm still looking for any report. What songs they performed..



L'Arc~en~Ciel at 2007 INCHEON PENTAPORT ROCK FESTIVAL

I missed the news. i didn't know.. lucky Korean people..


2007 INCHEON PENTAPORT ROCK FESTIVAL - KOREA

* Date : Friday, July 27th – Sun, July 29th

Place : Song-Do Dae-Woo Motors Field

Woodstock, Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, and Coachella...

To any discerning lover of rock music, the names of these cities conjure up evocative images of throngs of humanity all united under a brilliantly blue summer sky, everyone's attention rapt and focused on the electrifying presence of some great band onstage.
Certain to be added to this list in the near future are Incheon, where the 2007 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival will take place.

In this, the Incheon Pentaport's second year, popular acts such as The Chemical Brothers, L'Arc~en~Ciel and Muse will be coming to the 2007 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival as the headliners. Ash, Damien Rice, London Elektricity, BT, and Testament are also expected to help make this summer the hottest ever in Korea.
Much has changed in the Korean music scene since Incheon first hosted the Triport Rock Festival back in 1999, which would later be reborn and renamed as the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (named after the 5 ports: airport, seaport, teleport, business-port and leisure-port).

Though once passed over as a worthy touring destination by many artists, Korea, in the past couple of years, has hosted spectacularly successful shows by huge names like Oasis, Metallica, Muse, and Marilyn Manson. And with the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival growing bigger by the year, the stage is now set for this nation to rock like never before.
With an aim of forming a part of city development strategy since the mid 9 0s with which represents 5 elements of the festival concept. i.e Music, Passion, Environment friendly, D.I.Y and Friendship.

The Incheon Pentaport Festival does not frame itself around certain political or environmental issues such as Woodstock did or Glastonbury does. However, it does seek to pose the question of how we, as a globe, are going to survive in a time of increasingly rapid change and turmoil? How will we deal with cultural and ideological differences and communicate with each other in this, our globalize 21st century?
The answer proffered is nothing other than the miracle of music itself. It is a truism that great music can bring together diverse people of vastly different cultures and backgrounds. But as the 2007 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival hopes to demonstrate, it is the simple truths that are often the most profound.
Music-lovers everywhere are invited to come and share in the fun, sunshine and merrymaking!

Full Lineup : Muse, The Chemical Brothers, Damien Rice, OK Go, Hellogoodbye, Ash, BT, L'Arc~en~Ciel, Testament, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Fantastic Plastic Machine, London Elektricity, Gov't Mule, The Answer, CRASH, Nell, DJ Doc, 土屋アンナ, Vanilla Unity, Crying Nut, The Strikers, Vassline, Stevie Salas, Hollow Jan, The Melody, peterpan complex, Every Single Day, Pearl's day, Rainy Sun, 69 Chambers, Cool Age, 내 귀에 도청장치, Johnny Royal, Vodka Rain, Copy Machine, 사랑과 평화, moombatrap

source: KBS


---

Korean rock band, YB didn't participate?? No Brains too?






Friday, July 27, 2007

Oricon: hanabi dates

Source: Tokyograph

Thu, July 26, 2007 (4:46am EDT)

Summer is the season of hanabi (fireworks), so naturally, research firm Oricon set out to see which celebrities people would want to enjoy a fireworks display with.

Masaharu Fukuyama is as popular as ever, receiving the most votes from the women surveyed. #2 was actor Hiroshi Tamaki, who has seen a sizable boost in popularity within the past year. Other top choices were Koichi Domoto, Shun Oguri, and Joe Odagiri (tied with Oguri for fifth).

Men preferred singer Ai Otsuka as their #1, outranking even the current survey queen, Masami Nagasawa. Saki Aibu, Aya Ueto, and Haruka Ayase rounded out the top five.


-----


Ok, I knew all those guys.
Masaharu Fukuyama was ranked on #1 in most of the poll. Reminds me of JDG from Korea.

I also knew all the ladies. I wonder with Ai Otsuka. My sister like her. I saw her as ordinary. I need to know what's her plus point? =D

And only Koichi from Jyanis? Where is Jun?


Thursday, July 26, 2007

[drama] Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (For you in full blossom)

*edited*

Ok, now I will share the links for this drama and it's English subs! This is to make the links Summer Snow and nana
keep active. I myself haven't finished download them. Many thanks girlz,, and of course thank you SARS fansub!

---

Current playing drama...


  • Title: 花ざかりの君たちへ
  • Title (romaji): Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
  • Tagline: イケメン♂パラダイス / Ikemen Paradise
  • Also known as: Hana Kimi
  • Format: Renzoku
  • Genre: High school romance comedy
  • Episodes: 12
  • Broadcast network: Fuji TV
  • Broadcast period: 2007-Jul-03 to 2007-Sept-18
  • Air time: Tuesday 21:00
  • Theme songs:
    • Opening theme: Ikenai Taiyo by Orange Range
    • Ending theme: PEACH by Otsuka Ai
  • Related drama: Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu, Secretly Loving You

Synopsis

The drama is based on the popular manga of the same name by Nakajo Hisaya, which has already been dramatized in Taiwan. Horikita plays the protagonist Ashiya Mizuki, a Japanese girl in the U.S. who one day sees the young athlete Sano Izumi (Oguri) compete in the high jump on television. She begins to idolize him, and decides to move to Japan to attend the same school as him. However, Izumi goes to an all-boys school, so Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to achieve her dream of being with her idol. - Tokyograph


Casts:
More casts here

Episode and download links (MU)

Official site: http://wwwz.fujitv.co.jp/hanakimi/






You can watch the drama online with English subs by SARS here (thanks jsurfer326)
Or you can go here for great resume and all, http://www.hanakimi.net/


Related News:

Singer Matsuda Seiko (45) is to make her first TV drama appearance in two years. Matsuda took part in filming of the Fuji TV drama "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" in a Tokyo suburban location yesterday. Based on a hugely popular girl's manga of the same name about a boarding school for handsome boys, the drama will air on Tuesday nights from July 3. Matsuda plays the school principal, while the main roles are students Sano Izumi (played by Oguri Shun,22), Ashiya Mizuki (Horikita Maki, 18) and Nakatsu Shuuichi (Ikuta Touma, 22). Mizuki is a student returnee from the U.S. who falls for Sano and dresses as a boy to be close to him, while Nakatsu falls for Mizuki without realizing she is a girl (it all sounds a bit like that Blur song "Girls & Boys"!). The story ran in the "Hana to Yume" manga from 1996 to 2004, and as a separate 23-volume series it sold over 13 million copies. A TV drama adaptation became the biggest Mandarin-language hit of 2006 in Taiwan. (Japan-zone)


---

This drama is really crazy. Really a refreshing view for girls eyes ( ^ o ^ ). Beside many ikemens (good looking guys), they showed bare chest several times :P

I like this girl, Horikita Maki (Nobuta wo Produce).
Shun Oguri looks different here. Dark hair, longer hair, makes him looks cool. I didn't like his image in Hanadan, I prefer this one as Sano Izumi ~_^
Toma.. I don't know what your character would be.. Please don't make him like a loser here, onegaisimasu!

Seiko Matsuda looks so pretty here. Never though her as that pretty before :P

[pic] L'Arc~en~Ciel

Source: http://www.larcom.net/



They are all look 'young' for 38 :P



Cover for MY HEART DRAWS A DREAM

Someone name 'Shortykun' commented on yesasia:
"This new song of l'arc is just what you like from them. You can hear it in the player of laruku.fr
Sounds that the b-side will be Feeling Fine 2007 by P'unk~en~ciel !"

Feeling Fine - P'unk~en~Ciel? Interesting!



Wednesday, July 25, 2007

[News] Kinki Kids 10th Year Anniversary (Zoom in Super)

KinKi Kids 10th Anniversary 2007.07.23 zoom in super (thank you ufobaby)







I am so touched seeing so many around 67,000 fans gathered at the dome to give their support for KinKi #_#

Hey Hey Hey Telephone Box DBSK/TVSQ (6/4/07)

Thanks to OEggchanO






They surprised me. They really learn Japanese well, DBSK wa^^

A Record Weekend for Kinki Kids


Pop duo Kinki Kids held two events at Tokyo Dome over the weekend to celebrate ten years at the top of the J-Pop world. On Saturday, Domoto Tsuyoshi (28) and Domoto Koichi (28), who are unrelated, were officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for an amazing accomplishment. Since their debut single release (Garasu no Shonen) in July 1997, every one of their 25 singles has entered the Oricon chart at No.1, the latest chart topper being "Brand New Song" in April.
The feat earned them a place in this year's Japanese-language edition of the record book, and Guinness World Records' COO Alistair Richards paid a rare visit to Japan to pay tribute to the duo, "In the highly competitive Japanese music world, to remain at the top for ten years is a remarkable achievement."

On Sunday, they played a 10th anniversary concert at the Dome. The stage was designed to be as small as possible to make room for 67,000 fans, the largest concert audience ever at the venue. It was their 28th show at the Dome, also a record. Along with stable-mates SMAP, Kinki Kids have been flag bearers for of the Johnny's Jimusho empire for even more than a decade. Even before their heavily hyped 1997 debut, the duo had played concerts to a combined audience of 2 million fans and they were the first artists promoted by the then newly-formed "Johnny's Entertainment" company.

source: http://www.japan-zone.com/news/


I believe this is related picture (credit: tokyo_top_news @ yahoo acution.jp)




Omedetto KinKi Kids-san!! V( ^o^ )V

This week is KinKi Kids' week! I've been downloading many of their shows (thanks to many friends that is so kind provide me the links; hidamari, lodoss, mystery_priestess) and reading many translation from their interviews (thank you usami-chan and Sandra). Yeah, I'm in the mood of them :P
After watching/reading 'Shounen Club Premium', now, I won't bother with those who said negative about each of them. I really don't care anymore. You'll read how's Kochan and Tsuyo's feeling for each other and that's clear enough to beat all negative opinions.

Oricon: Kinki Kids makes it 25, Morning Musume makes it 11 million

Found this news. A bit late, but here;

Posted at http://www.jpop.com

Written by Jason Chin
Tuesday, 01 May 2007

There were two more for the record books yesterday, as Kinki Kids and Morning Musume hit the top of the Oricon charts.

Heading straight at no.1 was Kinki Kid's latest single 'Brand new song', selling over 180,000 copies, more than three times as much as the no.2 spot. This marks the 25th consecutive single since they debuted that has entered straight at the no.1 spot on the Oricon Charts. It was this record for which in 2005 got them in the Guinness Book of Records (for the then record of 19 consecutive No.1 singles).

They are also coming up to their 10th anniversary of their first single back in July in 1997, so unless they have another single up their sleeves before then, it seems likely that it's also 10 years at the top for them.

Breaking a new record is Morning Musume, who despite their ups and downs over the past few years, have had another single break the top 5. 'Kanashimi Twilight' entered in at no.2 selling over 50,000 copies. This tallies up their total single sales to over 11.08 million, beating the Pink Lady's previous record of 11.03 million, in 'Most No.1 singles by a Female Group in Japan'. They now have 5 records for a female group in Japan; Most total singles sold, Most No.1's, Most consecutive years with a Top 10, Most consecutive years with a No.1 and Most Top 10 hits. The group's leader, Yoshizawa Hitomi had this to say, "I honestly couldn't be happier. Morning Musume is in full feelings to congratulate all our fans. Thank you very much. We want the group to be loved by the entire world". 'Kanashimi Twilight' is the final single to come from Morning Musume with Yoshizawa as a member, as she graduates from the group in May.

Every other chart topper in the top 10 this week is a new entry, except for SEAMO's 'Cry Baby' which was released last week:

1. KinKi Kids - BRAND NEW SONG
2. Morning Musume - Kanashimi Twilight
3. ORANGE RANGE - Ika SUMMER
4. Wentz Eiji - Awaking Emotion 8/5/my brand new way (eh, is this Koike Teppei's new song?)
5. BoA - Sweet Impact
6. Oda Kazumasa - Daijoubu
7. The Cro-Magnons - Kami Hikouki
8. SEAMO - Cry Baby
9. CHEMISTRY - Sora no Kiseki
10. Akikawa Masafumi - Sen no Kaze ni Natte


from KinKi Kids 10th Anniversary Concert in Tokyo Dome

I found these on yahoo auction.jp (credit to windfish)

From newspaper report







Jang Dong Gun, gave visual strength to uprooting domestic violence

Translated by Just Jang Dong Gun as posted at http://www.justjdg.blogspot.com/


Top star, Jang Dong Gun, gave visual strength to uprooting domestic violence using his clear-cut features.

That is, so-called ‘a walking picture’ has actually posed for pictures to take the initiative in the eradication of domestic violence.

In this picture, which is to be decorating a page of a fashion magazine ‘Vogue’, Jang Dong Gun is wearing a T-shirt designed by Seo Sang Young to show the purpose of the campaign: a world without violence. An illustration printed on this shirt symbolizes a happy child at a peaceful home. The T-shirt will be sold at the stores of a clothing brand, Giordano, and the earnings will be donated to NGOs such as Taehwa’s Shelter for women.

Such public service was possible thanks to Giordano and The Body Shop’s initial plan for the campaign and inviting their model, Jang Dong Gun, to accompany them. But of course, Jang Dong Gun’s wholehearted sympathy to join the campaign was what expedited the process.

Source: http://www.segye.com



Related news:

Translated by Just Jang Dong Gun as posted at http://www.justjdg.blogspot.com/


Giordano and The Body Shop's SVITH Campaign

Natural cosmetic The Body Shop collaborates with casual clothing brand Giordano on ‘Stop Violence in the Home (SVITH)’ campaign from July 2nd to August 19th.

Jang Dong-gun as the exclusive model of Giordano participates in campaign's PR.



Dong-gun in campaign t-shirt designed by famous designer Suh Sang-young.

Source: Prime Business Journal and http://www.giordano.co.kr

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

HERO the movie Official website is on~



Official website
: http://www.hero-movie.net/

HERO BLOG: http://blog.hero-movie.net/ (yeah, I wish I can read Japanese >_>)


HERO the movie scheduled to release in Japan on 2007, September 8th.

Director: Suzuki Masayuki
Our director here was also directing HERO the drama in 2001. He also directing many famous dorama like: Long Vacation, Shomuni, Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), Star no Koi.

Casts:
Kimura Takuya (木村拓哉)
Matsu Takako (松たか子)
Abe Hiroshi (阿部寛)
Otsuka Nene (大塚寧々)
Katsumura Masanobu (勝村政信)
Yashima Norito (八嶋智人)
Kohinata Fumiyo (小日向文世)
Kadono Takuzo (角野卓造)
Kodama Kiyoshi (児玉清)

Ayase Haruka (綾瀬はるか)
Matsumoto Koshiro
Morita "Tamori" Kazuki
Lee Byung-hun
MEGUMI