And in the world of Politics....

Sometimes, you don't really need to write great comedy....you just use reality to make fun of itself by composing it.



Sarah Palin on SNL



McCain thinking he's Crafty



Sarah Palin with Katie Couric

JCVD Trailer

Full Description:
In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme portrays a washed-up, aging action star. His career is a joke, he loses all of even the meager straight-to-video roles to his nemesis Stephen Segal and he’s in a custody battle for his daughter who is too embarrassed of her father to consider living with him.

Returning to Brussels, he pops into a post office to send a money order to his divorce lawyer in Los Angeles only to find the facility held siege by robbers. The absurdity of the situation gradually escalates, and our action hero star must decide – cooperate or save the day in true hero fashion!

In a word, this role choice for Jean Claude Van Damme is BOLD. He’s faced ninjas, wild animals, space aliens and multiple arenas of death, but in JCVD he’s confronted with the naked truth of his own career: z-grade roles, worldwide ridicule, drug addiction, bad haircuts and some truly inspired wacko TV interviews, many of which are replayed in the film. The wickedly crisp script realistically captures the comedy inherent in the day-to-day life of a superstar: autograph and picture hounds, mocking haters and delusional überfans. Through it all Jean Claude Van Damme delivers with a sly wit and assured demeanor that for much of the film, I forgot I was watching a work of fiction, but was lost in what surely had to be a Jean Claude Van Damme reality show.

He understands the humor associated with his career, acknowledges it, pokes more than gentle fun at himself and even waxes philosophic on his past and his future. What emerges is a sophisticated, intelligent and wildly comedic performance. This is the stuff of true career renaissance. Forget about Pam Greer’s potential resurgence after Jackie Brown. After this performance, Jean Claude Van Damme deserves a shot at the best roles in Hollywood!

I watched JCVD at this year’s Cannes Market and the excitement in the crowd was palpable. Market screenings are for the industry worker-bees, you can’t gauge an audience because they are either asleep from exhaustion or texting on multiple blackberries trying to seal the next deal. Not so with JCVD. The crowd laughed and cheered and actually stood to applaud at the end. And when the man himself popped up from a seat in the back of the theater, clearly proud of the chops he had just shown on screen, the audience went absolutely nuts.

Van Damme? God Damn! This movie is AWESOME! Support this film, write about this film, and most importantly watch this film when it comes out in theaters. If for no other reason, I personally want to see more comedic drama out of, who woulda thunk it, one of the mostnderrated thespians working in cinema today! (Tim League) (Fantastic Fest)

Lakers Sign 6-9 Point Guard from China: Sun Yue

DUDE!



You know how Phil Jackson loves tall point guards...

Sun Yue is a 6-9 point guard, that's Magic Johnson height!

• He played here in the states before in 2005 for some amateur team so making that lifestyle transition won't be a problem.
• He doesn't expect to get 30 minutes of playing time, he know's he just a rookie.
• He says his white coach gave him the nickname Q-Tip in 2005 because...well, he's shaped like one.
• He says the biggest adjustment he has to make in the NBA is to get stronger. He says he's way too skinny right now.

I remember PK used to joke about how we need some more average 6-9 Asian basketball players in the NBA, instead Lord of the Rings Tree-Monster-esque players like Yao Ming & Ha Seung-Jin.

Anyways, we'll see what he can do on the court!

Here's the full press conference link: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/80924sunyue_pressconference.html

Paul Dateh in LA Weekly

Paul Dateh: Hip-Hop Violinist Superhero by Night, Mild-Mannered Bookstore Clerk by Day

By Gendy Alimurung

Published on September 25, 2008

He’s the sweet, classically trained, violin-toting Japanese boy you imagine thugs would be beating on in the parking lot. Instead, outside after his show at Inglewood’s Savoy theater, Paul Dateh’s face hurts from smiling. He’s shaken hands and accepted compliments and business cards from people expressing interest in what he does and who he is, which is not just a violinist but a hip-hop violinist — essentially, an incongruity.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” the show’s host had told the audience, “except, it’s different shit.” Then the sound of Dateh’s wailing violin — rhythmic, surprising, new — filled the room. The music, classical, filtered through the aesthetic of funk and hip-hop, is exuberant. Dateh closed his eyes, a slight figure swaying onstage.

The band at the Savoy stopped playing. The drummer shook his head, mouthed the words “No way” to the keyboardist, who shook his head. The guitarist cupped his hands around his lips and whistled.

“Who is this guy?” a woman in the audience asked.

When Paul Dateh was ready to graduate to a serious instrument in 2001, Robert Cauer at Robert Cauer Violins laid several violins on a table. When you choose a serious violin, you are choosing a life mate. For his life as a classical violinist, Dateh chose a 19th-century Saquin, which has a clear, round, resonant, bright sound. Professional-quality violins can cost upward of $100,000 and you’d as likely play hip-hop on those as you’d drive a Bentley in a demolition derby.

So it’s the beat-up Tambovsky he used in high school that is now his best friend. It has a dark, rich, slightly muffled tone that matches well with Dateh’s butter-smooth, slightly breathy singing voice. Of all the instruments, the violin sounds most like the human voice. Dateh and his violin take turns speaking. He’s had it for a decade and when it’s not with him, he feels its absence, like the strange ache of a phantom limb.

The Tambovsky is with him a few weeks later, when he schleps over to Time Warp Music on Venice Boulevard, to try out some pedals. They’re for guitars, but he means to experiment with them on the violin, which he’s brought in a soft black nylon case, carrying it down low by his hip like an old-fashioned Mafia Gatling gun. The case is a body with organs: a cushiony endometrial black velvet lining, a small glass vial containing a thimbleful of water to moisten the air inside, a hygrometer, a clawlike nib to grasp the bow. Despite these fail-safes, a violin reacts to extremes of environment: Too hot or too cold, and you can hear its varnish cracking.

Attached to the violin, the wah-wah pedal produces a woozy, nasally, otherworldly gasp. Hendrix revolutionized guitar sound with the wah-wah, which mimics the human cry: waaaaaaaaaaaah! “This is so cool,” Dateh says. “I’m ashamed that I’ve been performing onstage for years and have never done pedals.”

“Don’t be ashamed,” says a customer who has stopped to listen. (Dateh’s playing tends to stop people in their tracks.) “Most folks go to the pedals right away. You’ve taken the time to master an acoustic instrument. Though there is something to be said for pedals. Have you seen Radiohead play? They’re literally on the floor fiddling with knobs.” Dateh obliges us with a version of Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It.”

“Oh, my God,” the storeowner’s wife says. “Anything sounds virtuoso on a violin.”

Paul Dateh did not grow up in the hood. He is not ghetto-fabulous. He blogs about eating lettuce and accidentally gooping lotion instead of conditioner on his hair the first time he stayed out all night, which was at a show in Las Vegas, where he opened for Public Enemy. He grew up in Walnut, California, a sleepy bedroom-community suburb east of Los Angeles, a privileged neighborhood, two-thirds Asian, one-third white, average household income in the six figures. There is an ease to life in Walnut that makes him uncomfortable.

“This isn’t me,” he says, waving off the teenage-boy messy bedroom, the rumpled twin bed, the metal stand with a piece of sheet music, a jaunty oberek, which he’s been playing to keep up his finger work. “It’s just where I sleep.”

The struggles of youth in upper-middle-class suburbia are not the problems of life on the street romanticized in hip-hop but the quiet, strangling ennui of a life measured out in cul de sacs and carpeted rooms and identical tract homes.

He is crashing there at his parents’ place, an hour’s drive from the Little Tokyo district, where he hopes to live in a few months. “I’m carving notches on the wall until then,” he sighs. “It’s hard when you see cows and freight trains.....(more)

Asian American Hip Hop Artists

StarS tudded Music Group

Son of Ran

Blue Scholars

Nam

Northern Exposure

Your roaming reporter here in the north, and I would like to share with you ,my great finds. If you’re like me, Korean food is the best cuisine in the universe hands down. The flavors and the variety are two of the many qualities that our gastronomy provides. In the next few months, I will share with you where you can get your grub on if you find yourself away from the 213 and all the regular places you patronize. From Fresno to Sacramento, these are the places to visit if and when you find yourself on the opposite side of the state.


Don Day



The first time I dined here, their gimmick was the same as that one place in Ktown in the Nandarang plaza whose name escapes me. They had three different types of flavored Sam-gyup-sal (thick cut pork belly). Wine, dwen-jang (soy bean paste), and one other flavor which seems to elude me right now. Must have not been all that. I really liked the concept and meat tasted great, but unfortunately due to financial issues the establishment did not stay in business too long. Fast forward a few months and a couple of different owners, and we have the current rendition. Although they don’t do the flavored pork anymore, the present Don Day more of a gem for the feast they provide.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like much. Situated on the downtown area of Oakland, it is surrounded by a couple of other Korean eateries, a Korean market, barbershop, and video store (it wouldn’t be normal without one). The inside is very modest as well. Kind of like a mix between an American diner and po-jang-mah-cha (Traditional Korean street-side eating stands), there are a few tables along the length with the cooking area in plain view. But, where it lacks in ambiance, it definitely makes up for in taste.



I am a firm believer that a meal is only as good as the ban-chans (side-dishes) it comes with. There is no shortage in variety here. On average, a dozen will be available to savor, all of which are made fresh. Among my favorites, is doo-boo mu-chim (mixed tofu). Served cold, it has a subtle flavor, but keeps you coming back for more. It seems to be the specialty here, as more than half of the ban-chans were mu-chims. For their dishes, they have the standard offerings: several different kinds of meats and fish, various stews and soups, and ggo-chee (skewers). Among the meats, sam-gyup-sal (pork belly) is my favorite. It is thick cut and freshly brought in on a weekly basis. The meat comes with various vegetables to grill as well and leafy greens to make ssam (Korean wrap). As for the soups/stews, their koeng-bee-jee-chi-gae and al-chi-gae are delicious if you’re into it. lastly, they have several different ggo-chee, but shrimp and mushrooms are the tastiest in my opinion. Soju, beer and other Korean wines are well stocked, so you won’t be thirsty either.

So, if youre ever in the Oakland area and get that craving for some delectable comfort food, Don Day is the place to find it!

Don Day
346 14th St
(between Harrison St & Webster St)
Oakland, CA 94612
Price range: $$

For a good explanation of Korean food and their names, please visit:
http://efl.htmlplanet.com/korean_food.htm

ASA + Common + Pharrell +Rino + Maryss+ BennyBen + Born + Phsyicx

ASA (ASHA) FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN



New Song Common ft. Pharrell- "Announcement" with Rino Nakasone and Maryss.

BBoy Physicx in Australia

BennyBen, Rivers Crew only US (or Australia) member...and Bboy Born in Japan.

Another Hilarious Indian Music Video

This totally beats the Thriller music video...happy Monday everyone!

Korean Cooking

Dude....this "Maangchi" chick is dope! She teaches you how to make all the late night Hodori dishes out there! From Yuk Geh Jang to Galbi Jjim to Duk Bok Gi to Den Jang Jjigeh to on and on and on!!!

When it comes to cooking, only ramen & spaghetti are in my repertoire, so yeah....time to venture out of my comfort zone.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ViCgcNEYLQ

When it comes to dubbing over foreign films..

No one does it better than Uncle Morty's Crew.

Goatman Menthol Rap!

They are the cousins of Santa Claus...

Red ninja looking for love...

Don't mess with Q as he seeks out having fun with his GO Production crew...

Internatiol Secret Agent Clips

The acts were Magnetic North, Tatum Jones,and a dance crew called Quest...oh and Youtube singing phenom Jennifer Chung. However, it was FM and Dateh who rocked the show....even though the sound level could have used some tweaking. I know Magnetic North could have benefited from it. Oh yeah, Wong Fu Productions was there......

The Super Talented Paul Dateh...

Far East Movement

280,951 Post-Its Video With Jamie Chung Cameo!!

EepyBird's Sticky Note experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.

This video is so dope. They use post-its to make a slinkie army!! And PKU, i know you will want to watch this, because Jamie Chung is in it (it looks like and advertisement for Samurai Girl). No further explanations needed. I will never look at my post-its the same...

Best and Worst of Ktown according to Yelp

The first thing I do when I try a new place is go on Yelp and read what others have to say about it. It pretty much eliminated bad experiences and allowed me to explore new places. I was on it today and was curious to see what the best and worst Koreatown venues were. I think Ktown213 should give out annual people's choice awards to these venues. Until we make it more official, here it is.

HIGHEST RATING (minimum 20 reviews)

1. Lasik Eye Center - Dr Joseph Lee 4.8

2. Yu Chun Chic Naeng Myun 4.3

3. Tofu Village 4.3

4. Cham Sut Gol 4.2

5. Han Bat Sul Lung Tang 4.2

6. Ma Dang Gook Soo 4.2

Lowest Rating (Minium 10 reviews)

1. Mr. Coffee 2.2

2. Pho Western 2.3

3. Shin Peking Restaurant 2.3

4. Elephant Snack Corner 2.3

5. Lollicup 2.5

MOST REVIEWED

1. Manna Korean BBQ 318 

2. Chosun Galbee 242 

3. Soot Bull Jeep 194 

4. BCD Tofu House 182 

5. El Cholo 173 

6. Village Pizzeria 173 

7. Papa Cristos C & K Importing 167 

8. Hodori Restaurant 162 

9. R Bar 143 

10. Tahoe Galbi 132 

11. Park's BBQ 128 

12. Corner Place 128 

13. Caffe Brass Monkey 123 

14. Mu Dung San 123 

15. Noshi Sushi 116 

16. Pinkberry 118 

17. Kyochon Chicken 113 

18. Wiltern Theatre 108 

19. Gui Rim Korean BBQ 96 

20. HMS Bounty 93 

21. Han Bat Sul Lung Tang 87 

22. Beverly Soon Tofu Restaurant 87 

23. Dong II Jang Restaurant 87 

24. Taylor's Steakhouse 84 

25. Soot Bul Gui Rim 2 84

John McCain is an old tard

The Ultimate Ktown213 Softball Music Video

WELP, this past Thursday was the start of our new season, and we came out on top with a victory. I forget the score but I think we won by 10+ runs....we pummeled the opposition!!!! We're missing Alex and Abe on the following team photo but here it is anyways:

Anyhooooo...I decided to make a video montage of our team...this was my 1st attempt of playing with Windows Movie Maker so please, give me a break ok??? Watch 'til the very end of the clip, even after the credits for the bonus clip. =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL1X4v_kVeI

Weeeeeell how'd you like it? There's something about that Rocky song 'Eye of the Tiger' that pumps you up, you know? Makes me wanna do a thousands push ups right now and go to the batting cage in Siberia to train in my underwear....or something, hahaha.

But wait, I'm not done. I'm never done without giving Edwin a hard time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WeHJXVDbqQ

The highly anticipated Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Today is the day that you can place a deposit to reserve your very own Hyundai Genesis Coupe in Korea. To mark the occasion, Hyundai released a new commercial you can watch below. Unlike the 3.8-liter V6 Genesis sedan that Hyundai is selling for about $70K in its home market (the same car is being sold in the states for about $33K), the coupe is offered at a very reasonable price. 25,360,000 WON (about $23K US) will get you the base model with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-banger. If you want the “Stylish Pack” (funny), it will upgrade you to 19” rims, an LSD, and optional Brembo stoppers for 26,920,000 WON ($24,500 US). Not to shabby for only $1500 more. The range topping 3.8-liter V6 will go for 33,150,000 WON ($30,100 US) and comes with 300 ponies with a full leather interior. The respective list of features and pricing have been included at the bottom.

This car is already being anticipated by many here as a potential tuner car considering that the 4-cylinder motor is based from the 4B11T found in the Evolution X. HKS has already released a shot of what their tuned Genesis Coupe will look like and DUB has already done up a pair Genesis sedans (below). US drift competitor Rhys Millen is going to use a Genesis Coupe for his next ride for the upcoming season.







I know many of you are thinking: “Whatever, it’s still a Hyundai.” But I bet you didn’t know that in a recent interview with Toyota’s chairman Fujio Cho, he told journalists that Hyundai was a “strong enemy” and recently, GM’s "Competitive Intelligence Department" bought an Genesis for their own purposes. Also, the 368-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 Genesis sedan trumped the Lexus GS 350 in a head-to-head comparison. Yes, the Lexus has a smaller motor, but in regards to pricing, they are the closest matched. It seems that they have come a long way since the laughable Excel.



Genesis Coupe 2.0 GL
- 210HP Theta 2.0 TCI RS engine, dual airbags, 6-speed MT, 18 alloys, ABS, VDC, starter button, seat warmers, Bluetooth handsfree system
Options: 5-speed AT, sunroof, reverse parking aid (?) (probably backup sonar), side and curtain airbags
PRICE - 25,360,000 WON (~US$23,000)

Genesis Coupe 2.0 Stylish Pack
- GL base options, 19 inch alloys, LSD, HID headlights, leather seats, full-auto climate control, reverse parking aid
Options: 5-speed AT, sunroof, side and curtain airbags, Brembo brake system
PRICE - 26,920,000 WON (~US$24,500)

Genesis Coupe 2.0 GLS
- Stylish Pack base options, Brembo brake system, active headrests, 6-CD CD changer, aluminum pedals, JBL sound system, Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires
Options: 5-speed AT, sunroof, side and curtain airbags
PRICE - 30,690,000 WON (~US$27,900)

Genesis Coupe 3.8 GLS
- 2.0 GLS base options, 303 HP Lambda 3.8 RS engine, Brembo brake system, LSD, 19 alloys, reverse parking aid, leather seats
Options: ZF 6-speed AT, sunroof, side and curtain airbags
PRICE - 33,150,000 WON (~US$30,100)

Jon Stewart for Prez

Even if it's just for a month...

Jamie Chung as Samurai Girl

My favorite reality girl, Jamie Chung (MTV Real World SD) is starring in her own show on ABC Family. The synopsis and previews look lame but I would seriously consider tuning in just to see Jamie in action. She also just wrapped up shooting DragonBall the Movie with Chow Yun Fat, set to open next year. Jamie will play ChiChi, the love interest of Goku.

Diddy on McCain's running mate...

Let’s just say John McCain does win to become the President of the USA…I don’t think he’ll be able to live out his first term. So if he croaks, we’ll have the governor of Alaska with 5 kids to hold power over the red presidential nuke’em button and America would officially have the dumbest population of whit……nvm…I will not finish that sentence.

I may not care for PDiddy but I’m on the same boat with him…and it is time for a shift of power since the Republicans have been f*cking up for too long. Who cares if Obama isn’t as old, experienced, and two faced as most seasoned politicians, he’s something new.

World of Korean MMA

Anyone watching UFC 88 (chuck liddell vs rashad evans) this sat night? you know i neeeeever miss UFC ppv's but i dunno...this main event just doesn't have that "main event" feel to it, don't you agree???

I'm actually looking forward to an undercard match-up between DHK (Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim) vs matt "the immortal" brown...you might remember matt brown from the last season's ultimate fighter (spike tv)...he's one tough s.o.b. but he's anything but immortal in my opinion...he's totally beatable (9-6).


Dong Hyun Kim (DHK)

On the flip-side DHK (11-0-1) was really impressive in his UFC debut a few months back throwing like 200+ elbows and dominating from the mount position. For a welterweight (170 lbs) he's pretty damn tall (6'3"), has good endurance, and has a solid judo background....sooooo, without being biased, i look forward to DHK handling matt brown pretty easily. Here's a great article on Dong Hyun Kim on sherdog and how popular he has become in Korea since his UFC debut. And if you wanna see how well he did in his debut and relive his 200+ elbows to Jason Tan's noggin, WATCH HERE

By the way, his nickname "stun gun" sounds cool and everything but why a stun gun? why not a machine gun or a bazooka or something...something with a lil' more....umph! know what i mean? stun gun kinda sounds like he's good enough to stun you for a second, but you have a fighting chance? no??? ok ok, i digress...

In other korean-related mma news, denis kang (korean-canadian) finally shook off his two-fight losing streak defending his spirit MC championship belt in korea.

Here's the fight where he pummels his opponent:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVgk-2iLy4E

do you remember when i interviewed him on ktown213??

Anyways going back to his latest victory, although it was an opponent he faced twice and beat easily, a fight is a fight and he dominated his opponent Jae Young Kim once again...via TKO. I'm really a big fan of denis...I was actually surprised that he returned my email willing to do the interview when i know he has a crazy workout schedule. I like him 'cause he's a great all-around fighter...he's good on the ground, good at stand-up, good ju-jit-su skills, he's the total package at middle weight (185 lbs). He's also a proud canadian and he trains with the great GSP (George St. Pierre) sometimes. He's also very proud of his korean heritage and because of it, his popularity is huge in korea.

Anyhoo, going back to one of the losses he suffered from his two-fight losing streak months ago, he actually lost to a fighter named yoshihiro akiyama, aka Chu Seong-hun (추성훈)...yeah you guessed it...Yoshihiro Akiyama's nationality/citizenship is Japanese but his ethnicity is 100 % Korean...his parents are 3rd generation korean-japanese, where their parents immigrated to Japan during the occupation of korea. sorry to side track to history!!! im NOT hating on japan by any means!!...like i said i love japaaaan and alllll of its pop culture stuff!!!

here's the fight between denis kang & yoshihiro akiyama:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZbxWmX_iuE

wow, denis ate a devastating hook there... like denis kang yoshihiro akiyama also displays his korean heritage proudly, wearing a patch of the korean flag on his gi when he enters the ring.



if you wanna read more about his korean-japanese situation, you can read this blog article here.

so yeup, there you have it....world of korean mma in a nutshell....im such a fan! stay tuned!