60 years after formation

and the world still can't spell it properly.


Source.

Its not the first time, and it will not be the last time.

The final nail in the coffin for the Sarawak River Tambangs

Source: The Borneo Post, 29 December 2012

I need to ride one before they become little more than a footnote in history.

Twitter Gems, part 45

(TL: Taking a picture with my Dana-san for Christmas)

(NB: Dana-san literary means "lord of the house", but is used by women informally to refer to their husbands)

Oh god KitaEri, what are you doing to Hidaka Rina?!

Told you the mathematical function puns were coming

Source: SBS Pop"Asia", 16 December 2012

And they called me mad when I said that SM Entertainment is a evil plot to take over the world. Is is not enough that The Big Bang Theory has gone from comedy for geeks to comedy for the proletarian masses who find the laugh track funny?

On the bright side, SBS Pop"Asia" has gone from being 95% K-pop to 70% K-pop by chucking in obscure Indonesian/Malaysian/Vietnamese acts in between putting in Show Luo and Rannie Yang. And even than it isn't so much of diversity as the fact that both of them are Tourism Australia's ambassadors to the Asian market.

In the same way that J-pop is so much more than Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Asia is far more than just what SM Entertainment liberally doles out to SBS to fill the airwaves.

The whole world is rigged to make you marry

Don't believe me? Explain these 2 articles a day apart:

16 Dec 2012: Singapore offers love vouchers to promote dating

17 Dec 2012: Thousands set for South Korea’s ‘battle of the singles’

Need more proof? Look no further than S6 E11 of The Big Bang Theory.

More "Oh god KitaEri what are you doing to us" goodneess

Via Ambiseiyoup:


The moment (around the 01:16 - 01:50 mark):

Source: Radio Kusarikake, episode 53

How could anyone ever hate KitaEri? She is filled with so much goodness!

Way to go China

With one new passport design, they're managed to tick off:

1) Taiwan




By calling Jih Guek Tam and Chingshui Tuan national treasure's of China.

2) The Philippines


By claiming Scarborough Shoal/Huangyuan Dao/Panatag Shoal as theirs.

3) Vietnam

Source.

4) India
 
Source.

Now I'm not the best person to talk about making friends, but even I know this is how you alienate people.







Maybe its just me, but I find it more than a little amusing that the Chinese Culturalists in Malaysia, with their Chinese culture, history, language and all, call (ethnic) Indians "pariah" when "the motherland" isn't exactly best-person-in-town central in the first place.

Justin Bieber fans cause adverse weather conditions on Brisbane

Or so commuter paper mX claims.



On a more serious note, it was not fun. I was caught by the storm last week. I came home with a broken umbrella, my loaf of bread completely soaked, and utterly wet.

It was awful.

I love the Taiwanese media, round 2

Only they cover the important stories.



Like SNSD's legs. Are they real?

Twitter Gems, part 44

I know I'll get shot for even suggesting this, but it has to be said: Ro-Kyu-Bu is the Slam Dunk for the 21st century.

Hear me out: if the late 20th century was marked by the Shonen genre, the beginning of the 21 century is time of moe.

That, and the fact there is HanaKana, Iguchi Yuka, Ogura Yui, and Itou Kanae in it. Who can say no to that combination?

Twitter Gems, part 43

How can I top this awesomeness?

Oh the horror, round 2

And I'm not even talking about the sound quality either.

Yes, that is Sea☆A butchering Wada Kouji's "Butter-Fly".

Is nothing sacred anymore?

Did Al Jazeera pull down an article for no clear reason?

Seen over at Al Jazeera English's Twitter account:


It links to an article here: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/11/201211765417647799.html

Except that when you go to it, for no good reason it redirects you back to the front page of Al Jazeera English.

A quick search shows the report has been syndicated to other outlets (mirror here) or discussed by news aggregators, and is attributed to one Jennifer Chang.

Except it does not show in the list of articles by her (mirror here), nor articles tagged as South Korea (mirror here).

The article is still listed as one of the most popular over 7 days by Al Jazeera English themselves:

And Bing cache confirms that it was once present on their website:
 

So what gives, Al Jazeera? Because they have no issue with far more controversial viewpoints and issues. 

This week at the markets

A tray of 18 mangoes for $5. :)

Google Chrome browser TV Commercials

Ignoring the fact that I can't understand why Google might see the need to advertise their browser on TV.

Australia:


Japan:


They're pretty good through.

Not that we need more proof.....

That the whole Gangnam Style crazy is officially out of control.

Honestly, if I really had a dollar for every parody I might be able to afford my fees.

Its amazing that my tax rate (albeit in Australia) is higher than him.

Nochilda-sensei's English class returns

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLmOtJqshCU Credit to Youtube user "skymods777E" who actually extracted and translated this. As usual, there is nothing I can do to thank you enough.

God I cant stop laughing. This remind's me of my seiyuu radio days.

Did they really have to ask?

SBS Pop"Asia", 21 Oct 2012

Honestly, there is only one appropriate reaction to all this madness:

Source.

Nochilda-sensei's English class

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVFX3Tw5xJY Credit to Youtube user "skymods777E" who actually extracted and translated this. There is nothing I can do to thank you enough.

So where do I sign up? :D

Nochi describes why I'll probably be alone

Source: here.

On the 22 Aug 2012 edition of the "No. 1 Song Show (1番ソングSHOW 2時間スペシャル)" broadcast on Nippon TV, mixed-marriage male model Louis Kurihara had the envious experience of meeting with the 3 Perfume girls.

It starts off innocently enough, with a flashback to a previous episode of 1番ソングSHOW with Louis naming Perfume has favourite musician. When ask what if Perfume appears on the show, he dismisses it.

It then cuts to him being ushered to the back to the filming studio, where he gets to meet the 3 girls, before being coerced to being Kuri-pon~ (!). A bit of small talk later, Louis (most probably following a script) asks the 3 girls about their latest song, with the usual promotional spiel (not to mention A-Chan~ talking briefly about the (almost) insane dance routine for the song).

Kashiyuka then asks Louis which Perfume song(s) does he like, to which he replies with the "I Still Love U" song in their "Triangle ⊿ " album, (Interesting choice) followed by too many (IMO) "Maa maa maa~"'s.

The climax is when A-Chan~ asks what Louis likes to do in his spare time, to which Louis responds that he likes to be alone, and takes long walks of 3 hours long by himself, to much laughter that I don't quite understand, but okay........

Nocchi then confirms that Louis is 17 years of age, to much incredulous gasps by the shows participants. Then she rains down the final blow: "Its not good for a 17 year old person to be alone!"

Louis doesn't even flinch! Deadpan, he answers "Do you have a problem with that?"

By this point I was rolling on the floor in laughter. And tears. He sounded so much like me! Deadpan expression and all. Just a hell lot better looking than me of course!

I like to take long walks by myself.............

I give up. The invasion is well and truly here.

Source.

In what universe is HyunA actually a valid suggestion for someone watching a Kawada Mami MV?!

I'm insulted that Youtube even thinks that the two of them are even in the same level. There is no comparison between the two of them.

Twitter Gems, part 42

Source.

One one hand, I want to go "Oh come on!", but then the realisation that Ogura Yui is now 17 hits me..........

Oh the horror

Normally, filler promo's on Channel Nine for new shows look/sound like this:

 Source.

But guess what I saw on prime time TV tonight (30 Sept 2012, 8pm ish):

Source.

Mr "SNSD is a evil conspiracy by the Korean national broadcaster to steal the hearts of young boys" was wrong: it isn't Lee Soo-Man who has plans to take over the world; its Park Jae-sang, one Gangnam Style parody at a time.

(If I had a dollar for every parody out there, I might be able to afford my tuition fees)

Mark Willacy discovers the joys of 男の娘 on national television

Source: ABC Lateline, 20 August 2012

(You should have seen Emma Alberici's reaction. That was priceless)

And before you go "lol Japan", wait till you see this from Taiwan:


Source: Power 星期天 03 May 2009

There is a slight hint of irony that the Western world thinks it is more progressive when it comes to "LGBT rights", when meanwhile in Asia..............don't forget to check out the 女装した男性を当てる segment of 関ジャニの仕分け∞. (Legal loli's optional)

Cross cultural adaptations: the future or a phase?

My general consensus is that cross cultural adaptations do not work. And not without reason.There is a reason why most cultures in this world have their own distinct traits. This is why we have the different countries of the world.

Just look at SNSD's paid spot on David Letterman's show. After they were done his face was filled with a WTF look and a "oh good, its all over. Now let me pass them this rugby ball and I can close and go home" response. (I have no idea what they were thinking. David Letterman's viewership demographic is overwhelmingly middle age white Americans. Having them on David Letterman's show made as much sense as Lady Guagua Gaga being the guest on Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam)

(Not that anyone knows what that is)

But I was impressed with JKT48's version of "Baby! Baby! Baby!:


(Yes, I know, Yasushi Akimoto really needs to work on his song naming convention)

Compared with the Japanese original, the Bahasa Indonesia lyrics are remarkably close in meaning and tune! I am impressed, with this attempt.

Just don't expect a gaggle of bikini clad girls for the Indonesian version in a hurry.

So have I been wrong all this time? Is this the beginning of a truly multicultural cross-cultural entertainment renaissance?



Probably not.

(If you must, the original versions of Shonichi (初日) and Hissatsu Teleport (必殺テレポート) are here)

Twitter Gems, SBS Pop"Asia" edition

What I do not miss every Sunday mornings.



I can't believe that Caroline Charonplop Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (born Takemura Kiriko) is the pinnacle of J-pop in SBS PopAsia land.

(No really, that is her full stage name)


I concur.


@Hooful is probably the only Perfume fan watching SBS PopAsia.


Too. Many. Parodies. Of. This.


That bad eh?



How can something in Mandarin, a language I understand (badly), make less sense than Korean, a language I don't understand at all?

Ignoring the fact that sometimes I think the ACCC should drag SBS to court for false and misleading conduct in using the word "Asia" in a show which is swamped with K-pop and Gangnam Style, SBS PopAsia is starting to become a dumping ground for obscure acts in Asia which can't break it into the mainstream in their home markets.

How else does one explain this on SBS PopAsia?!

Things you don't expect

When watching a mini-documentary on Perfume: the song that sounds like it could only have been written by middle aged aunties: iMe - 哎咿呀.


See the 5:24-6:00 mark

Yep, the K-pop invasion is well and truly under way.

(BTW, Perfume's Nee (ねぇ) still horrifies me as a person: how on earth can they do that? In heels?!)

Taketatsu Ayana's cameraman fails to deliver the goods

Source.

Damnit people. There is a Zettai Ryouiki there!

This is how Lee Soo-Man plans to take over the world, part 2

One lullaby at a time.

This is how Lee Soo-Man plans to take over the world

Source: SBS Pop"Asia", 19 August 2012

I'm not entirely sure if this counts as my tax dollars at work (technically its just SBS rebroadcasting something someone else has done), but yes, this is how they are going to take over the world. One concert at a time.

I love how it was spun: "Australia's biggest K-pop music concert". Also known as the only K-pop concert in Australia to date. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger through, they'll be back.

They already have pretty much conquered South East Asia.

This is how Akimoto Yasushi pays his bills

I love the Taiwanese media.

TWD800 for a 3 second handshake. Poor Takahashi Minami had to shake all 1500 pairs of them, or about 75 minutes worth! That's TWD1,200,000 raked in just little over an hour. Not to mention the other flow-on income effects.

Yeah, these are pretty expensive hobbies.

What I found on the internet this week

Source.

A cross-stitch  version of the Card Captor Sakura manga artwork. How awesome is that?

Viewcount numbers that fit with Chinese cultural paradigms

Source.

Buono!

The case of Noor Afizal Azizan

Prerequisite reading: National bowler escapes jail term


Source.

The facts of the case has been beaten out online enough as it is. I shall not seek to repeat them. However, I will share by observations: As usual, the average Malaysian cannot understand the difference between conviction and sentencing.

Let me start off by saying I do not condone rape, and nothing in the judgement of the case remotely indicates that the courts have deviated from this principle. However, much of the online commentary seems to suggest that most people are not aware of the difference between rape (as in a crime of violence against women) and statutory rape (where the only crime really is mistake of fact).

Some have even gone so far as to suggest that he got away scot-free, a blatant disregarded for the reported facts. He pleaded guilty at the first instance, and was sentenced by the Court of Appeal: sentenced to a good behaviour on a bond of RM25,000 for five years with one surety, which was the original sentence by the Sessions Court.

It was the High Court, on appeal, that gave him 5 years imprisonment. The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court sentence and reinstated the Sessions Court sentence.

It may surprise people, but there is no mandatory sentence for rape, much less statutory rape. Unlike cases of drug trafficking, the sitting judge has discretion in sentencing in rape cases.



Personally too much emphasis has been placed on the quote of "A bright future" by the judges (it was three bench sitting of Tan Sri Raus Md Sharif, Datuk K. N. Segara and Datuk Azhar Ma'ah). Some online commentary have suggsted that "A bright future" means Noor Afizal will not have a problem in the future.

"A bright future" does not mean a future without any issues. Just ask Bob Ashford what a 50 year old criminal conviction has done for this promotion prospects.

Without the written judgement it is hard to fully understand the reasons for mitigation by the court, but media reports seem to suggest the "public interest" excuse (the word "excuse" here is used in the context of the legal definition of establishing liability, not the general meaning to escape from responsibility) was used as the point of appeal.

He does have a few things going for him for the appeal:
1) He pleaded guilty at the first instance, instead of going for a full trial.
2) The charge is statutory rape, not rape, as in a crime of violence against women. For all we know she threw herself at him and asked him to ram her so she could bear his child.
3) It is his (known) first offense.
4) He is a "public figure" and has positively contributed to the nation in the past.

In any case, he will have a criminal conviction on his record for the rest of his life. Try living with a criminal record at the age of 22. Try getting a housing loan from the banks. Applying for a visa to most countries. Getting police clearance.


Whether the (reduced) sentence is proportional to the crime, clearly society has decided it is not.

Regardless of how a judge decides on the punishment, it is never enough for society. Should we then have the mandatory death penalty for everything?

Syabas Pandelela Rinong anak Pamg!

I thought mX were kidding.........

.....until I read the "missive" on Korea New Service's website and KCNA's official website. (yes, believe it or not, even North Korea has something like the internet these days)

Pictures of Perth

Nothing describes how the much the brains have drained from Malaysia when you can get Kolo Mee in Perth

Little known Perth attraction: the Penrose Triangle

In the middle of a roundabout

Information plaques on the ground describing it

Perth city by night. 

Nothing says Australia like a kangaroo burger with a knife right through it on a extremely sunny day

Beats a plain old toothpick to keep the burger in one piece everyday

Food is dearer in Perth compared to Brisbane, and not just Queensland banana's either. This was taken when banana's were about $1/kg in Brisbane markets

Home cooked dinner with relatives

Really, all I did in Perth was eat and eat

Don't get me wrong: the food was awesome, but after 3 days I was actually wishing for my breakfast of oats and warm milk.