My very first post on this blog a couple of days back was about Aya Kiguchi, a cute gravure idol. This blog was going to be about me find anything Asian related that interested me. It still is, but now with a little more focus, I thought I would try to find and spread word on who I consider pretty cool Asian people. >
It maybe cliche for me to pick Utada Hikaru for person of the week, but nonetheless, she is outstanding. Not just is her music quite catchy, but she has a certain charm about her that totally captivates you. When she is on stage, she sounds better than she does on CD, which is remarkable. When she appears on television she has a quirky sense of humor that everyone adores, and finally when you see her--well for me anyways--she looks like a normal human being. Now of course she IS a normal human being, but she sheds away from the celebrity status unlike many singers and actresses in the states.
For the lack of a better word, she seems real, like a girl you see everyday that can sing extremely well. That charm isn't noticed by her looks alone, but is accompanied by her characteristic. If you see her interviews (she has English interviews uploaded on youtube) she is very humble and modest. She has a blog that she updates often and connects with her fans. Of course, when she is onstage performing, she is on a different plateau. She then becomes something more than human. Seeing clips of her on the Utada United tour and then seeing her on talk shows is quite a change. When she talks she's like us, but when she sings, she becomes an Idol. That is the nature of her talent.Sucessful, Beautiful, and Talented.
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Hwang Jin Yi (played by Song Hye Gyo)
30 Comments Published by CJ on Friday, July 13, 2007 at 5:32 PM.
Song Hye Gyo, a Korean actress, is in a new movie that came out about a month ago called Hwang Jin Yi. A period piece about an influential Kisaeng (the Korean equivalent to Geisha). Many of you might know Hye Gyo from the Autumn Fairy Tale, All In, Hotelier, and Full House. Here is a Bio of the real Hwang Jin Yi.Hwang Jin-i (황진이, 黃眞伊) (1520c.-1560c.), also known by her kisaeng name Myeongwol (명월, 明月), is the most legendary kisaeng of the Joseon Dynasty who lived during the reign of King Jungjong. She was noted for her exceptional beauty, charming quick wit, and extraordinary intellect. Her personal life has become almost myth-like, having inspired movies, a TV series, operas, and numerous novels. Due to her renowned assertive and independent nature, she has become a modern popular cultural icon of Korea.
Although not much is known of her childhood (nor are the precise dates of her birth and death), records indicate that she was the daughter of an aristocrat in Gaeseong; accounts of her mother vary, but many suggest that she was the daughter of the blind kisaeng Hyeon Hak-Geum, who was renown for her talent in playing the gayageum.
As the daughter of a kisaeng, by law Hwang Jin-i also became a kisaeng. She received a typical kisaeng education, studying Chinese classics, law, philosophy, literature, and history along with a heavy concentration in the arts. Records state that she possessed a preternatural talent in playing the geomungo and in composing sijo, while also being a dance prodigy. Along with the aid of her remarkable beauty, she quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most sought out kisaeng during her era. She was said to have carried on with various notables including Ji Jok-am and the renowned philosopher Seo Gyeong-deok.
Her tragic personal life has become stuff of legend, having been written about in numerous novels and made into movies and a TV series. Records indicate that at the age of sixteen, she and the son of the local magistrate were in love, but due to her cheonmin birth, were unable to marry. As a result, the young man is said to have died of a broken heart. Other stories tell of an adult Hwang Jin-i of having been in a passionate romance with another aristocrat, but once again, due to her inferior social status, she was unable to marry him.(according to Wikipedia)
Trailer for the movie below.
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Japanese Practice!!名前：木口亜矢（きぐち あや）
職業：グラビアアイドル、RQ
身長：158cm
ｽﾘｰｻｲｽﾞ：ﾊﾞｽﾄ89cmｳｴｽﾄ56cmﾋｯﾌﾟ86cm
生年月日：1985年10月11日
出身地：神奈川県
趣味：家で音楽聴いてごろごろ
特技：エビぞり
血液型：A型
星座：てんびん座
Videos Below!
Translation:
1st Line: Name - Kiguchi Aya.
2nd Line: Job - Gravure Idol.
3rd Line: Height - 158 cm (5 feet 2 inches >_>).
4th Line: Measurements - Bust=89 cm, Waist=56cm, Hip=86cm.
5th Line: Birth date - October 11, 1985.
6th Line: Birthplace - Kanagawa Prefecture
7th Line: Hobby - Listening to music at Home.
8th Line: Special Skill - Something to do with Shrimp I believe...
9th Line: Blood type - A
10th Line: Sign - Libra
I uploaded two photo shoots of hers on youtube. The links are below. Not too popular, but who cares right? She is one of the cutest Japanese models I've seen so far and the videos prove it!
Labels: Girls, Gravure Idol
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