Konichiwa!!

Gomen (Sorry) for not posting a lot lately. Warui desu (My bad/fault)

So I'm going to continue my Bio series on popular Korean/Japanese pop idols. Today I'm going to be doing only one person. And he is the one who I said was the reason K-pop is becoming so popular.
I bet you can't guess who it is, can you!

It's:

 

PSY!!

 

 

Yes it is PSY's turn. So lets dive right in:

 

Famous as :

Singer, songwriter

Birth Name :

Park Jae Sang

Birth Date :

December 31, 1977

Birth Place :

South Korea

He is a South Korean singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, record producer and television personality. Psy is known domestically for his humorous videos and stage performances, and internationally for his hit single "Gangnam Style."

 

 

In December 2012, MTV noted Psy's rise from little-known to "global superstar", and, for being first in the YouTube-era to secure a place in pop-culture history, hailed the singer as the "Viral Star of 2012".On December 31, 2012, Psy performed in a globally televised New Year's Eve celebration with American rapper MC Hammer on-stage in front of a live audience of over a million people in Times Square, New York City.

 

That's all for today. I'll be posting more Bio's and after that I'll get on my favorite subject. Sushi! and reviews of my favorite places in Eugene and Springfiels Oregon.

 

Ja!! Mattane!!! (See you later!)

 

 



Exo-K/M Part 1 Bio's

Konichiwa!

I know that I'm posting twice in the same day but I need some extra posts for the week.

So following up with our K-pop, J-pop band bios, here is a boy Korean group. EXO-K and EXO-M

 

Exo is a South Korean-Chinese boy band produced by S.M. Entertainment. Formed in 2012 in Seoul, South Korea, Exo consists of twelve members, who are separated into two subgroups, Exo-K and Exo-M, promoting their music in both South Korea and China. Their name was taken from exoplanet, a term referring to planets outside of the Solar System. Their debut single Mama was released on April 8, 2012, followed by the release of their debut EP Mama on April 9, 2012.

I'll be doing this in 2 parts. First the Korean then the Chinese boys.

Birth Name: Kim Joon Myeon

 

 

Stage Name: Suho

Super Power (Badge): Water

Nickname: Sunnouncer (Suho + Announcer), Esuhort (Suho + Escort)

Date of Birth: May 22, 1991

Height: 173 cm

Nationality: Korean

Blood Type: AB

Position: Leader (Guardian of EXO), Lead Vocalist

 

Birth Name: Park Chan Yeol

Stage Name: Chanyeol

Nickname: Wealthy Teeth, Happy Virus

Super Power (Badge): Flame (Phoenix)

Date of Birth: November 27, 1992

Height: 185 cm

Nationality: Korean

Position: Main Rapper, Vocalist

Blood Type: A

 

 

Birth Name: Do Kyung Soo

 



 

 

Stage Name: D.O.

Nickname: Heenjabuja (rich in whites)

Super Power (Badge): Earth

Date of Birth: January 12, 1993

Position: Main Vocalist

Nationality: Korean

Blood Type: A

Height: 173 cm

Specialties: Singing, beat box

 

 

 

Birth Name: Byun Baek Hyun

 

 

Stage Name: Baekhyun

Super Power (Badge): Light (Sun)

Nickname: Bacon

Date of Birth: May 6, 1992

Position: Main Vocalist

Nationality: Korean

Height: 174 cm

Blood Type: O

Specialties: Hapkido, piano

 

 

Birth Name: Kim Jong In

 

 

 

 

Stage Name: Kai

Super Power (Badge): Teleportation

Nickname: Kkamjong

Date of Birth: January 14, 1994

Position: Main Dancer, Vocalist, Lead Rapper, Face of The Group

Height: 182 cm

Blood Type: A

Nationality: Korean

Specialties: Dance (ballet, jazz, hip hop, popping, rocking

 

 

 

Birth Name: Oh Se Hun

 

Stage Name: Sehun

Super Power (Badge): Wind

Nickname: Senshine

Date of Birth: April 12, 1994

Position: Lead Dancer, Rapper, Sub-Vocalist, Maknae

Height: 181 cm

Blood Type: O

Nationality: Korean

Specialties: Dancing, acting

 

And that's all for now. Look out for part 2 tomorrow

 

Jaa Matane!!



Konichiwa!

Today is the first of a few posts on popular Kpop and Jpop bands and artists.

Today's group is....... F(x)!

 

 

 

F(x) is a Korean girl group made of 5 members. The group was formed by SM Entertainment in 2009. The group made their debut on September 5, 2009 with release of the digital single "LA Cha Ta". Since then they have released many songs, such as; Chu, Danger, Hot Summer, and their second Korean EP "Electric Shock" which reached the #1 spot on both the US and Canadian iTunes electronic albums chart soon after its release.

 

The members consist of:

 

Victoria

Stage Name: Victoria (빅토리아)Real Name: Song Qian
Position: Leader, Vocalist, Main Dancer
Birthday: February 2nd, 1987
Birthplace: Qingdao, Shandong
Nationality: Chinese
Blood Type: A

 

Amber

Stage Name: Amber (엠버)Real Name: Amber Josephine Liu

Position: Main Rapper, Vocalist
Birthday: September 18th, 1992
Nationality: Taiwanese-American
Religion: Christian
Blood Type: B
Family: Older sister
She's from San Fernando Valley


Luna

 

 

Stage Name: Luna (루나)Real Name: Park Sun Young (박선영)
Position: Main Vocalist, Lead Dancer
Birthday: August 12th, 1993
Nationality: Korean
Blood Type: A

 

Sulli

 

Stage Name: SulliReal Name: Choi Jin Ri
Position: Vocalist, Rapper, Visual/Image of the group
Birthday: March 29th, 1994
Nationality: Korean
Blood Type:O
Height: 170 CM

Krystal

 

Stage Name: Krystal (크리스탈)Real Name: Krystal Jung/Jung Soo Jung
Position: Lead Vocalist, Maknae
Birthday: October 24th, 1994
Blood Type: A
Birthplace: San Francisco
Nationality: Korean
Height: 165CM

That's all for today I'll be back tomorrow with another group!! till then.

 

Jaa Matane!!

Annyeonghaseyo!! (Hello! in Korean)

Now today we'll be talking about a really big trend in both Japan and America right now. And this trend isn't JApanese or American, it's Korean.

It's K-POP!!

K-pop is exactly what it sounds like. Korean Pop music. This is a genre of music that has been very popular in both the US and Japan. However Japan discovered this before us and it is listened to daily by many young, and even older, people in Japan. They also listend to J-pop which is basicly the same thing except a little more tinny and in Japanese.

Here is an example of J-pop VS K-pop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ws1IZKsJzo&safe=active

Now Americans have just recentley discovered the world of K-pop thanks to one very obvious person. Can you guess who? I'll give you a hint.

Oppan Gangnam Style!! Eh Eh Eh Eh Ehe EH HEYYYYYYY SEXY LADIES!!!!

.....ahem. scuse me. But yes PSY the K-pop star whom sings the song Gangnam style, which currently is the most viewed video on youtube with 1,611,943,897 views. And this increases by the minute.

But there are other popular K-pop groups in Japan for example some of the most popular girls groups such as;

Girls Generation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7mPqycQ0tQ&safe=active

 

 



F(x)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moqnVpTt0w&safe=active


As well as some popular boy groups. Like:

Super Junior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6TwzSGYycM&safe=active

EXO-K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH6ZwnqZ7Wo&safe=active


These arejust soem of the most popular and well known groups. This does not include bands such as 2NE1, TVXQ, and many solo artists like G-Dragon and more!

This is where I'm going to have to end it today. for thwe next few posts I'll be taking a popular K-pop or J-pop band and doign member bios and song lists so look forward to that!!

Until next time!!

Annyeong - BYE!!!

Konichiwa!!

I'm back today with some more on food!! Today is about................. SEAWEED!!!

As a lot of people know, Japanese people eat of lot of seafood. This includes seaweed. Seaweed is a type of grass that grows in the ocean. Since it grows in the sea it is naturally very salty and can be used for a salt substitue or flavoring.

In the picture above the dish is salted with seaweed. The Japanese term for this food topping is "Bonito Flakes"

Some of the food you may see with seaweed in it include; Sushi, Miso Soup, wraps, bento lunch boxes,  ramen, rice balls, etc. 

Recently seaweed has been discovered to a healthier choice of flavoring. It has almost no calories plain and is already salted and flavored so very little additives are included when processing it. It is most commonly treated by cleaning it and then drying it. You can buy sheets od sushi at any asian market or health food store.

That's it for today!! I'll see you all tomorrow evening for our next topic. 

Word(s) of the day; Seaweed - "Nori"

                    

                                Rice Ball - "Onigiri"

Ja!! Matane!! 

Technology Part: 1

Konichiwa!!

Today I'll be talking about some of the everyday technology they have in Japan. This will be one of a few posts about technology. So let's get started!

As I mentioned in my post of Japanese VS American schools, Japanese students do not have access to all of the kinds of technology that we have here in American in our schools.

Now you may be thinking that's crazy considereing one of Japan's major exports is new and advanced technology, like; phones, computers, industrial equiptment, new gadgets, video games especially, and the recently developted humanoid robot!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF39Ygp53mQ

Yes these are robots!! This was a project conducted in 2011 by AIST, Osaka University, The University of Tokyo. The video shows how the robots funtion by cameras and following the movements of the people in front of them.

These are not the only two robots that were developted. There have been many robots with same build and design but in different skins and appearences.

 They have been tested in all kinds of public places like hospitals and stores. This is just one of many amazing technologies Japan has created.

Going back to what I was saying about school technoloogy, most schools in Japan don't have many computers. They are either in the library or in a computer lab that is only allowed accesible by a teacher.
That's where I have to stop for today. I'll be back with some more on technology in the next few days. I may be posting some other things first, so look out for the PART 2 in the title

Word of the day: Technology -  "Gijutsu"

Sayonora !!!!

Bento!

Konichiwa!

Todays topic is "Bento" or boxed lunches.

Bento are most commonly taken to school or work, but are also made for picnics (Kouraku bento), parties, large gatherings, or traveling ( Ekiben ). The most commonly known kind of bento here in the US would be the kyaraben or charaben, ‘cute bento’ ‘art bento’ or ‘entertaining bento’.

These are the super cute elaborate bentos we see when we look for them from google images. This more what an average everyday school or work bento would look like.

This kind of bento is simpler with just rice and some side dishes. This bento is stacked bento meaning that there are two compartments. The bottom stores rice and the top consists of side dishes. they stack on top of each other and the chopsticks can either go in a small case attached to the top or you can tie a cloth or hankerchief around it with the chopsticks in the knot.

The other kind of bento is the one layer bento.

This is a one tier bento. It is in more of square shape and has many different compartments. You put something different in each one. There is no specific or traditional way to putting things in the compartments but a general rule of thumb is the rice goes into the biggest compartment.

Now aside from the rice there are many different kinds of side dishes that are included. These can vary depending on individual taste. Some popular bento side dishes would be;

 

Rolled omelet, prawns, tempura shrimp, grilled fish, thinly sliced pork, pickeled vegetables, vegetable salads, crab, tomatoes, spinach, fruit, stirfried veggies, etc.

Bento are most commonly taken to work or school. and are ususally made fresh everymorning or contain leftovers from the night befores dinner. They are tasty and delicious!!

That's all for now!! I'll see you tomorrow!!

JApanese VS American schools: Part 3

Konichiwa!

I'm back with the final insert in my JApanese VS American school system post.

The last difference I would like to talk about is the basic anatomy of the Japanese VS American classroom layout.

The Japanese classroom is a very organized place. There are usually betwee n 30-40 desks all with insides to hold books and pencils and the like, as well as a small hook on the side to hang boxed lunch or small bags from. There assigned seats and they have role numbers.

There is a podium up from with teaching supplies for the teacher and a large blackboard covering most of the front wall. The desks are generally moved for lunch becuase that is where many students eat with there friends. whether they be in different classrooms or not.

Compared to American classrooms which are usually covered in posters, papaer, randomly assorted desks, and no assigned seats, Japan seems to most to be a more concentrated learning environmnent.

That concludes our Japanese VS American schools. Look forward to our next topic!!1

Word of the day - "Bento" : lunch box, box lunch, or simply lunch.

Japanese VS American Schools: Part 2

Konichiwa!!

Today I'll be continuing on about the Japanese VS American school system topic!

There is said to be immense pressure put on Japanese children to study hard and perform well in school. While this pressure has caused many Japanese children to do well in international tests, it has led to certain less desirable outcomes, like a rise in the student suicide rate. 

Even with this pressure though, it seems that the knowledge level of a Japanese student is lower after graduation from high school than that of the American student.

My friend, who has recently been to Japan, has also told me that unlike here in America where it is sometimes very hard to get into university, in Japan as long as you go to the right high schools and pass the entrance exams college is quite easy.

It is also easier getting a job because many colleges in Japan are linked to major companies. This is where many poeplego after their school life in Japan.

Once agauin I am out of time qand there is still so much on this topic that I would like to tell you so one again I'll have to leave you with......

Phrase of the day: "Watashi wa chūkan o tsūka shita!" - "I passed my midterm!!!"
                             
                             "Watashi wa chūkan ni shippai shimashita" - "I failed my midterm...."

Konichiwa!

Welcome back! Today I'm gonna talk about the differences in the Japanese and American school systems!



                      VS.                                 






          
There are many differnces between Japanese and American schools. Some of the basic fundamental differences would be for example, in Japan, instead of the students moving from class to class, the teachers rotate classrooms instead. So throughout middle and high school you are assigned classrooms. There is an exception to this with science, music and PE though.

Another difference that a lot of poeple know is that in Japan almost all middle and high schools require their students to wear uniforms.

 Guys wear pants, ties and jackets in the winter and spring, and plain shirts and pants in the summer.
Girls wear skirts, jackets, shirts, and either a tie or a ribbon in thw winter and spring. In the summer it is ususally just a shirt, skirt and ribbon.

In Japan, the children attend more school days than the children in America. Their year consists of 240 school days, which amounts to more than 720 additional days in the same 12 year schooling period!!!

The only true holiday that they have is during the Spring season, and this is the time when they move from one grade to another. They also have some holidays in the Summer season, but during this holiday they still have homework and other work to complete.

The teachers suffer in this regard as well, for they have only two weeks of vacation per year.
I'm sorry but I'll have to cut this short for today. I'll continue next time with some more differences. \

Phrase of the day: "Good morning teacher"

                     "Ohyo gozaimus Sensei."

Matane!! (See you later! (informal))

Konichiwa!

I'm back with some more awesome Japanese food!! Todays topic is SNACKS!

Japanese snacks usually consist of chips, puffs, crackers, and crunchy things. They can come in all kinds of flavors from BBQ to shrimp or squid flavored. They even have melon flavored ships and crackers.

Another common snack is bread or "Pan".

\

 

 

These also come in many types of flavors, shapes, and designs. Some of the most popular flavors include; melon. green tea, hokkaido cream, berry, and red bean past filled.

 

 

Another form of snack might be the festival food or things that can be bought from small corner shops or food carts.

 

 

 

 

 

 



This can include; Crepes filled with cream and fruit, fancy ice cream, takoyaki which are octopus dumplings, fried and BBQed squid, dumplings, potsickers, and many others.


That's all the time that I have today. Next time I'll talking about the differences in Japanese and Americkan school systems.

Word(s) of the day:  Dumplings - "Gyoza:    Ice Cream - "Aisukurīmu"   Festival - "Matsuri"


See you next time!! -

                          Jikai o ai shimasho!!

Konichiwa!

Sorry I'm a bit late in posting. Todays topic is Japanese Snacks Candy!!

The Japanese word for candy is very similiar to how we say it. Kyandī! (Kee-an-dee).


The Japanese have one of the widest varieties of snacks and candies! There are hundreds of types which all have different flavors and designs. Japanese candy is a bit different than American candy. Japanese candy isn't as sweet as our American stuff. But they do have American brands in Japan like Hershey's, Reeses, and a lot more.

Another intersting thing about Japanese candy and snacks is that they are almost always very cute and intricate, or are in cool shapes and designs.

One of the most popular types of candy from Japan that has made its way to America is Pocky!

This is a thin plain biscuit stick that is generally covered in chocolate. But over the years many other flavors like strawberry, almond, milk, and coffee have been made.

That's all for now. Next post I will be talking more about the snacks that they eat in Japan.

Phrase of the day: Have a good day!!

                                 

                                       Yoiichinichiwo sugosu!

Konichiwa!!

I'm back to talk some more about the Hangry&Angry fashion label that has come out in Japan.
As I said last time itn is a new design that was put out by H.Naoto

He is a Japanese designer who designs clothes that are very visually intense. They are gothic and wild. he mixes different inspirations. Like punk, pop, gothic, lolita, and mixes them together as well.

The Hangry&Angry brand that came out a few years ago is still putting out new styles all the time. It's a more lolita style that h.NAoto has put out, but it is still mixed with some gothic flare.

The graphic designer of the close brand is GASHICON. She designs graphics for the clothing and how the clothing should be worn and such.

Well that's all for today. Next time we'll start on a different topic. It's one of my favorites! FOOD!! <3

Oh and I'll be putting out a word/phrase of the day so you can start learning some basic Japanese!

Kon'nichiwa ogenkidesuka

Which means "Hi! how are you?"

Oh!! also a quick heads up!! I'll be changing the background of my blog every now and then to match the days topic! So enjoy some beautiful images from all over Japan

Sayonora!!

Yokoso!!! (Welcome)

Welcome!

This is a blog about anything and everything about Japanese culture, food, people, pop culture, fashion, and much more. I'm excited to explore the culture of Eastern Asia and I hope that you enjoy reading about it as well.

Lets dive right in with some some of the basics

Today Japan is known as one of the most advanced countries on the planet. They are tech savvy and are constantly putting out new gaming devies, phones, computers, and almost anything else you can think of.

But Japan wasn't alsways such a well known country. Before WW2 the country kept to itself. After WW2 they became more involved in the economics and ways of the world around them.

But that's enough history for one day. Lets talk about something fun for our first topic.

Fashion!

Japan is one of the most fashion forward countries in terms of styles and ways of wearing clothes.
A new brand that recently came out is the Hangry Angry franchise. This is a new designer clothes line put out by h.Naoto. I'll talk a little more abouyt them in my next post since It seems I'm running out of time today. 

 

 

Well I'll see you all tomorrow!!

 

Sayōnara o ai!!!

 

Bye see you soon!!