It’s hard to believe that during the 5 years I lived in NY, I never saw the Knicks (not really, I’m the worst person to take to a sports performance. Er, sports show? Game, I mean sports game). But I finally had a big reason to go yesterday, and I’ll tell you what…all this hullaballoo about Jeremy Lin is called LINSANITY for a reason. And it wasn’t just Asians or my shameless butt going Linsane at Madison Square Garden last night.
Spot the CREED sign.
For real y’all, MSG was packed. The crowd was waving giant Jeremy heads, chanting “We Want Jeremy!”, rocking the 17 Jersey, and screaming “MVP!” in the streets. The knockoff Lin shirts being sold out of a duffel bag on 7th Ave were fought over like Tickle Me Elmos on Christmas Eve. A guy on the 6 train gushed that he had touched Jeremy…and I slooowlllly reached my fingertips out to his, E.T. style, as his girlfriend cut her eyes at me.
One of my favorite side effects of LINSANITY is the bumper crop of clever puns, written on countless homemade signs and displayed on the JumboTron. Some of my favorites:
“Every Day I’m HustleLin”
“Lin Yo Face”
“Lin be IlLin”
“Lin ‘Sync”
“Lincredible”
“To Linfinity and Beyond!”
“Lin-ternational Sensei-tion” (RACIST)
Although I was in section Pluto, row No Hopes of Ever Catching a Freebie From the T-shirt Cannon – with the wizardry of an iPhone camera coupled with a pair of binoculars, I was able to capture the following JLin action shots:
YOU’RE WELCOME! I know it’s just basketball, but for me and many others, it feels like so much more. I can’t think of another time folks were so kray and ecstatic over an Asian American, and to see Lin’s face on display and hear his name shouted by thousands felt extraordinary (if overdue) on a visceral level. It felt like history was being made.
Yesterday, Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train, passed away at the age of 75. R.I.P. Don, and thank you for giving my generation some of the best childhood memories and music programming of the ’70s and ’80s.
Some of you may also remember the lady with the majestic mane who was the first Asian American dancer on Soul Train (and was on the show for 14 consecutive years). Her name is Cheryl Song, and in addition to bringing the funk and the unbelievably dazzling outfits to Soul Train, she was a dancer in Rick James’ “Superfreak” video and apparently helped Michael Jackson work out The Moonwalk.
Just try to watch the following montage without repeatedly shouting “YES GIRL!” at your screen.
Cheryl now works for the Federal Air Marshall Service at LAX. Get down with your bad self Cheryl Song, and to Don Cornelius: in parting, we wish you love, peace, and soul.
Patrick and Stephen of The National Film Society made a noteworthy video last month paying tribute to their “Top 5 Asian Hotties”. And it’s not Grace Park, Olivia Munn, or Ling Valentine — but hottie Asian MENS!
WARNING: Contains shirtless Harry Shum Jr….gird your loins, people.
I appreciate the commentary here, especially the attention to details like tracksuit panache, bone structure, and…abs that could knock your teeth out. While Bruce Lee is a DUH and in my opinion should be “#1 Asian Hottie Supreme of the Galaxy For Ever and Ever Amen”, I like the inclusion of unusual suspects — like the manly, bellowing Toshiro Mifune. Again, great attention to detail, guys. Cheers and long live the hotness.
Guest post by Cbruhs’ bestie, bandmate, and K-pop fanatic Reese Umbaugh
K-POP SET FOR GALACTIC TAKEOVER IN 2012!
2011 has been a globally momentous year for the once-obscure and uniquely futuristic genre of Korean pop music. Dominating the Top 40 charts of Korea, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, K-pop has infiltrated the Japanese music industry, the world’s second largest, with a string of number one singles and sold-out tours from Korean boy bands, girl groups, and solo acts. Several artists have begun touring internationally and promoting in countries like France, Germany, Britain, and the US, where a showcase of artists signed to SM Entertainment — South Korea’s largest talent agency — sold out Madison Square Garden in October.
My fascination with K-pop stems from the glossy, flawless, and polished product that is the hallmark of the industry. Every artist, in every group, has impeccable stage presence and etiquette. Every beat is sonically infectious. Every dance move is synchronized to perfection and every vocal performance is flawless. In 2011, K-pop conquered the world, and if the trend continues — as these songs (all released in 2011) would indicate – 2012 will be the year of the K-pop intergalactic takeover. Without further ado, these are the 10 singles that prove K-pop will engulf the universe. Resistance is futile:
10. “Shake Ur Body” by Swincle:
This was a recent discovery for me from this group that debuted in March. One of 27 K-pop girl groups that formed in 2011, their track “Shake Ur Body” stands out to me, mostly because of the non-stop “boom, boom, boom” that is sure to get lodged in your brain all day. The video is fairly simple, with the girls depicted preparing a party for a guy — while being especially creepy in the video’s intro and sometimes becoming miniature versions of themselves. Ooo-kay. Also: lots of shaking they bodies.
9. “So Cool” by Sistar:
If any group can dance around in the shortest dresses around and manage to not reveal their lady parts, it’s Sistar! Plus, after watching the video, I’m convinced that the Olympics should absolutely replace the baton used in running events with a diamond clutch. WERK!
8. “Loverboy” by Apeace:
Apeace automatically make this list simply by being a 21-member group. Let me say that again: A 21-MEMBER GROUP! Imagine them all in a recording studio! Or in the green room of a venue! Or anywhere else! 21 MEMBERS! This shit would only fly in K-pop, people!
7. “Mirror Mirror” by 4MINUTE:
While “Mirror Mirror” didn’t light the charts on fire, it did cause controversy for the group performing a “spread leg dance” that was deemed too provocative and overtly sexual for television. To the sadness of every single person in the world: the dance was later banned by Korean music shows. A single tear falls.
6. “Pop Pop Pop” by Rania:
I was hooked on “Pop Pop Pop” once I heard the plinking synth noises that accompany the track during the intro and chorus. So good! And they have light-up wands. Also good! Rania is another new group, gathering attention partly because producer Teddy Riley, who has produced hits for Michael Jackson, produced some of Rania’s debut.
5. “Be My Baby” by Wonder Girls:
Up until this year, Wonder Girls were probably the only K-pop group destined for an American crossover. They toured the US and Canada, including a stint opening for The Jonas Brothers(!) and Justin Bieber(!!), and performed live on So You Think You Can Dance. Their English-language single “Nobody” hit #76 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the Wonder Girls the first South Korean group to enter the chart. The girls made a Korean comeback this year and are setting their sights on US promotion in 2012.
4. “Mr. Simple” by Super Junior:
Super Junior rightfully deserves a spot here. Despite being plagued with various issues in 2011: Disputes with management! Scheduling conflicts! Line-up changes! Mandatory military service! Su Ju has become Korea’s supreme boy band and further propelled their international success with the release of their 3rd album Mr. Simple and the SuperShow4 tour, which was recently announced for an American leg in 2012. Plus, they are International Sex Symbols. Except for the chubby one with the weird haircut. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.
3. “I Am The Best” by 2NE1:
I appreciate 2NE1 for a lot of reasons. For one, “I Am The Best” is an absolutely killer track. Second, 2NE1 has an image that’s more “edgy” in K-pop, with baggy hip-hop pants and studded jewelry, while other Korean girl groups emphasize sex and mini-skirts. They describe themselves as “hip-hop warriors” — which is awesome – and they want to portray themselves as strong women. Bottom line: These chicks will kill you.
2. “Roly Poly” by T-ara:
2011 was a great year for T-ara (sometimes stylized as T♔ARA, which instantly makes them my favorite band name ever). The group hit #1 on Japan’s Oricon weekly charts, the first for a foreign group and international female artist ever in history. All in all, T-ara released two Korean EP’s (and a re-packaged edition) and two Japanese singles, all commercially acclaimed, and also had time to release a few different videos for the song showcased here, “Roly Poly”. To all you Bay Area readers, T-ara will be headlining the K-Pop Power & Beauty Concert (best tour name ever) in San Francisco on January 13th. Best start learning the “Roly Poly” choreography!
1. “Mr. Taxi” by Girls’ Generation:
Alright, I know that this song is actually in Japanese, BUT the Korean version (which is their new single) of the video has not yet been released (but you can listen to it here). Anyway, what is there to say about Girls’ Generation, other than they are the best of the best in the K-pop universe. The girls released singles in Korean, Japanese, and English this year, headlined a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York, and broke too many records and had too many international chart debuts to even list. When the nine members are not recording, touring, and promoting, they are starring in Korean dramas and reality shows, endorsing brands and products (I’ve also attached their advertisement for Intel at the bottom of this post because it too is perfection), and donating their time and money to philanthropic causes. In short, they are global superstars who are the best bet in bringing the “Hallyu wave” (the spread of South Korean culture) to worldwide audiences. GG, thank you for the amazing pop music. Here’s to 2012!
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Reese Umbaugh is the Licensing & Podcast Coordinator at KEXP 90.3FM radio in Seattle, as well as a contributor to the KEXP Blog. When he’s not obsessing over the latest in K-pop music news, he’s playing synths in electro-pop band Noddy, watching subtitled anime, and reading DC comics. In short, he’s a nerd.
Reese is also producing and DJing a J-pop and K-pop Dance Party on January 19th in Seattle (flyer below). Don’t miss it!
This Saturday, rising MMA star, actor, and San Jose native Cung Le will be playing his first UFC game, against Wanderlei Silva. I’m told this is a big deal. Like many other casual followers of the sport, I mostly enjoy the the finer aspects of MMA, like giggling and clutching my pearls when the fighters roll around and grapple with each other in a hot, sweaty, muscley mess. It’s so…sensual. Yes? Am I right? Guys? Yes?
Le is a former Sanshou champion (Chinese hand-to-hand combat), and is so badass he once broke a dude’s ARM with a kick. Plus, THAT HAIR. Swoon. So add some hot stuff to your weekend and feel your Asian, uh, pride swell when Cung kicks his opponent in the head.
On the heels of their epic Heavy Ghetto album release, Original Chinatown Bad Boys The Notorious MSG have dropped another ass-sizzlin treat. Finally, someone has written a song that embraces Asian flush in all its unabashed, head bangin, panty droppin’ glory. This is the new anthem for your Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday night.
Need more MSG in your life? They’ve just released new smartphone wallpapers here! Collect all 7 and watch your boyfriend get jealous.
I’m a fan of the infectious Nicki Minaj song “Super Bass”, and this lip sync by Rhian Ramos, Moymoy Palaboy, and Roadfill totally gives the glo-in-the-dark original music vid a run for its money. And check out the videobombers in the back. I could watch this all day, and not just because Rhian Ramos is the Mayor of Babesville.
I probably don’t have to convince you that Wong Kar-Wai is one of the most captivating, influential, and lush filmmakers on the face of the planet. He’s made some of my most-worshiped films, like Fallen Angels and Chungking Express. I also love his movies for featuring equally breathtaking actors — like Wong Faye, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Michelle Reis.
So of course I’m juiced about this newly released trailer for The Grand Masters – Wong’s biopic of Wing Chun legend and Bruce Lee’s Sifu: Yip Man.
A gung fu period piece is a departure for Wong, but I can’t wait to see his trademark cinematic style applied to a genre and character that I’m already a fan of (Donnie Yen in Ip Man and Ip Man 2 makes me go all woot woot and pump my fist like I’m at an MMA match, y’all).
While there’s been a buttload of films made about Yip Man in recent years, I’m sure Wong Kar-Wai’s treatment will blow most of them out of the water. And true to casting tradition, The Grand Masters stars a timelessly hot Tony Leung (Little Tony) as well as Zhang Ziyi.
This is Wong’s first film since 2007, and unfortunately isn’t going be released until sometime in 2012. Til then, I will entertain myself with another type of “Grandmaster”:
Grace Lee Boggs speaking in Berkeley on Friday March 2nd. What more do you want? Just GO.
For the first time in history, iconic activists Grace Lee Boggs and Angela Davis will share the stage for a conversation entitled “On Revolution: A Conversation Between Grace Lee Boggs and Angela Davis” on Friday, March 2nd at Pauley Ballroom, University of California, Berkeley from 4pm-6pm. More info here.
Bookish Bitchin
Its gonna be hard as hell to write a review of a book like this without spoilers. So let me just say this book has gently nestled its way into my Murakami top 3, just under Wind Up Bird Chronicles and barely inching above Norwegian Wood. This means a lot cause I'm a fanatic over his ish and spend way too much money on multiple copies of his books... If you're a veteran Murakami reader, you'll love how long this book is. More time before the Murakami-withdrawal hits. You'll also like hearing from a female protagonist for the first time. If this is your first Murakami book, I'd read one of his books with less magical realism first, After Dark or Kafka on the Shore then move up to 1Q84 about 3-4 books later. Also, you might wanna buy the digital version (although the US hardcopy if a sight to behold) cause this book be phat!
