Tokyo (CNN) -- It's billed as "the happiest place on Earth." And Friday, Disneyland's Tokyo theme park reopened in hopes of bringing some of that missing happiness back to the Japanese people.
The park has been closed since the March 11 earthquake that devastated northern Japan and the electricity shortage that followed. Disney fans lined up as early as 6:30 a.m., an hour and a half before Friday's reopening, hoping to be the first into the park.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and a host of other Disney characters surprised visitors as the gates opened at 8 a.m. A sort of Disney hysteria swept over the crowd as Mickey danced in front of visitors minutes before the official opening of the park.
"We were so excited, we were almost crying," Tokyo Disneyland visitor Mika Hasegawa said.
The re-opening comes at a critical time for Japan, as the country struggles to regain some semblance of normalcy after the earthquake and tsunami that killed 13,500 people in the country's northeast.
Many Tokyo residents have refrained from excessive celebrations and parties out of respect for the victims. But Disneyland visitor Minako Ootsuka said that while Japanese people should be mindful of the disaster, it's also important to have a good time and release stress.
Hiroshi Suzuki, public relations manager for Oriental Land Co. -- the company that owns Tokyo Disneyland -- agreed. He said visitors were so elated when they saw Mickey and the other characters, he wished he could bring that kind of happiness to all people in Japan.
Other visitors to the park said they thought it was important to start getting out and spending money to get the economy running again. Erika Kanehira said she planned on visiting Tokyo Disneyland as often as she could and would also purchase merchandise to help the disaster area recover.
For every guest admitted to the park through May 14, Tokyo Disneyland will donate 300 yen (about $4) to the Japanese Red Cross. The park will also be operating under shortened business hours in order to save power.
Suzuki says the company hopes to get the park up and running on usual business hours as soon as possible. But most visitors are happy to have the park back at all.
Tomomi Takehashi said Disneyland was a place where people can come to laugh and smile -- and that may be exactly what the Japanese public needs right now.
Part of complete coverage on
Rare video of Futaba, Japan, shows an evacuated town following the nuclear power plant crisis. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.
Somber ceremonies mark one month since the earthquake and tsunami killed as many as 25,000 people.
Witnesses capture the very first moments of the devastating tsunami that struck Japan in March.
A month after a devastating earthquake sent a wall of water across the Japanese landscape, the global terrain of the atomic power industry has been forever altered.
Engineers use a flying drone to peer into the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Last month's quake and tsunami may have destroyed some of Japan's structures, but police say the practice of turning in lost items is intact.
People are demanding to know when the Fukushima Daiichi crisis will end, and others are calling for Japan's nuclear power stations to be closed.
Children run across a playing field in a game of dodgeball at a school converted into a shelter in Minamisanriku
View the Original article
Attack kills police chief in Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A suicide bomber attacked police headquarters in the volatile city of Kandahar on Friday, killing a top police official and two others, the Interior Ministry said.
Khan Mohammad Mujahed -- the police chief of Kandahar province, in the country's war-wracked southern region -- was slain, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemary Bashary said.
Mujahed had been leaving the office for home when a man wearing a military uniform detonated a bomb at the entrance of police headquarters. Along with the police official, the director of the Kandahar terrorism department and another police officer died.
"Three other policemen were seriously injured," Bashary said.
The violence erupted after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in prepared remarks at a NATO conference of foreign minister in Berlin that "we should recognize that we are on the cusp of what promises to be a violent spring fighting season."
"We have to steel ourselves and our publics for the possibility that the Taliban will resort to the most destructive and sensational attacks we have seen," she said.
Kandahar, which has a strong militant presence, is the birthplace of the Taliban and has been the scene of fierce fighting over the years between international forces and insurgents.
It has been wracked with anti-American demonstrations lately over the burning of a Quran, the Muslim holy book, in the United States.
In this, as in other instances, the International Security Assistance Force condemned the strike and vowed to find the attackers.
"Our prayers are with the families and friends of those suffering from today's terrible losses," said Gen. David Petraeus, commander of ISAF.
"This attack was the act of cowardly insurgents desperate to prevent the empowerment of the Afghan Security Forces and the Afghan people."
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul called the attack "deliberate and brutal attack" and said it displayed the "cowardice and inhumanity of terrorists."
"Police Chief Mujahed was a highly respected senior member of the Afghan National Police Force who dedicated his career to maintaining security and stability for his country. We commend the brave law enforcement personnel who risk their lives to protect the people of Kandahar, and we know that the loss of Police Chief Mujahed will be strongly felt," the Embassy said.
The Quran burning by a U.S. pastor swept through Kandahar, where there have been a series of demonstrations, including one April 3 that left three dead and another April 2 that resulted in nine deaths and more than 70 injuries.
The first big protest against the Quran burning occurred in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, when demonstrators stormed a United Nations office and killed 12 people.
The demonstrations were sparked by the actions of controversial Florida pastor Terry Jones, who presided over what he called a trial of the Quran on March 20. The holy book of Islam was "found guilty" by members of Jones' tiny church and burned, according to a release posted on the church's website.
There have been other recent strikes targeting security forces.
In February, two mines went off in a playground, killing 10 people, at a picnic hosted by the former police chief of Arghandab district in the province.
In the same month, at least 19 people were killed and 49 wounded when armed attackers targeted a police headquarters in Kandahar. The attack killed 15 police officers, one Afghan soldier, a government security officer and two civilians.
Canadian and U.S. forces are stationed in Kandahar province. Clinton cited an effort to help civilians bolster their "governance, civil society and economic development" in places like Kandahar city and Marja, in nearby Helmand province.
"We all know there will be tough moments ahead," Clinton said.
"The Quran burning and the violence that followed was one of those moments. We deeply regret that hateful gesture and deplore the inexcusable attacks that followed on the U.N.'s compound in Mazar-e Sharif and innocent Afghan civilians."
Journalist Reshad Fazel contributed to this report.
View the Original article
Japan's tennis stars reflect on quake disaster
(CNN) -- Your 21st birthday is supposed to be a joyous celebration, a marking of a move into a new exciting period of life, but for Ayumi Morita it was anything but.
As the cream of the world's tennis players gathered in the Californian desert for a top-level men's and women's tournament at Indian Wells, disaster struck on the other side of the world.
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Japan, causing a tsunami and wreaking devastation upon the island nation that has left more than 13,000 people dead and another 14,000 missing.
March 11 was also the day when Morita turned 21, and she was far away from her mother Hiromi, father Tomohiro and brother Kazuhiro.
Is Sharapova back as a real contender?
"It was a big shock for me. I'm so touched by the kindness shown by the whole world, everyone is helping our country. I'm so impressed," she told CNN.
"After the earthquake the phone system was down, so it was difficult to get hold of my family. I was worried until I could finally hear from my mum that they were okay.
"But it was so hard to hear the news they were reporting. It's been very heartbreaking to watch the news and see how my country suffers. I hope that things will start improving soon."
Born in the city of Ota, 50 miles northwest of the capital Tokyo, Morita has slowly worked her way up the world rankings since making her WTA Tour debut in 2005.
Now 53rd in the listings, she is facing the same problem as many of her compatriot sports stars -- how to keep focused in the wake of such a tragedy.
"When I heard the news it was a very tough moment for me," Morita said. "My mum said in Japan it's a very difficult situation, it's been very tough times, but she told me I should focus on my tennis -- and that's the only thing I can do."
They were fine compared to other people, who had family separated and people dead
--Kimiko Date-Krumm on her family
Morita is also trying to give something back to Japan. As well as wearing the Red Cross badge during her matches "to send a message of my appreciation" she has also donated items for the online charity auction set up by Japan's top men's player Kei Nishikori.
Veteran Japanese player Kimiko Date-Krumm has also contributed memorabilia, while Tokyo's WTA tournament has set up another online auction to raise funds for the quake victims.
The timing of the disaster has meant it has been difficult for the Japanese players to find time to return home to see loved ones.
The Indian Wells event was followed by another two-week tournament in Miami, again featuring the sport's top names, and now the tennis circuit has swung almost immediately to Europe for the start of the clay-court season.
Date-Krumm, enjoying her second career since ending her 12-year retirement in 2008, heard the shock news about the quake when she was at the players' pre-tournament party at Indian Wells.
"I went back to my room and switched on my TV and checked my email. My manager sent an email from Tokyo saying we had a big earthquake and then I saw on the TV the tsunami had already started. It was so fast, I was so surprised and so shocked," she told CNN.
Japan crisis focuses Sharapova's Chernobyl commitment
The 40-year-old's father Juichi passed away in 2007, but her mother Masako and siblings Ryusuke and Junko were in Japan.
"I tried to call my mother and she was fine, and my brother sent an email to me and he was stuck at his company, he could not go back home but his family was fine," said Date-Krumm, who has bases in Tokyo and Europe with her husband, German racing driver Michael Krumm.
"Then my sister, she was picking up her two boys and going back home -- she didn't have electricity so they had to put on lots of clothes. But the next day they were fine compared to other people, who had family separated and people dead."
Date-Krumm last year became the oldest player to beat a top-10 ranked woman and fell just short of becoming oldest to win a WTA event when she lost in the final in Osaka.
The former world No. 4, now ranked 56th as Japan's second-highest player behind Morita, is determined to keep playing the game she so enjoys.
"Tennis is a fantastic sport and I'm still fit. I don't know how long I can continue but I love sports so it's possible I can continue," she said.
"I never think about the rankings, I just enjoy tennis. It's a big challenge for me. Of course I don't want to lose, I don't like to lose. It's more important that life is a challenge."
CNN's Candy Reid and Heidi Berger contributed to this report.
View the Original article
[News] IU has declined to appear on ''I am a Singer''?
Some people have come up with rumors that the national younger sister and the most popular artist, IU has declined the offer to appear on the show “I am a Singer” but her management company said “we think the order has been reversed.”
IU’s side told Star News, “the staff of ‘I am a Singer’ have not requested an appearance from IU yet. How can anyone say that IU refused the offer when no such request came at all from their side?”
They continued, “IU never refused the appearance request and just to clarify once again, she never got the request at all.” Even before this, lots of rumors came up where IU was said to be appearing on the show.
IU is currently discussing things with the staff of the upcoming show “Kiss and Cry,” which will air after “Heroes” ends. IU’s representatives said “it is true that she is discussing for her possible appearance on ‘Kiss and Cry.’ No final decision has been made yet.”
Source Via : Star News
Credits: askactor
View the Original article
[News] BEAST KiKwang casted as hero for music video of A Pink, Becoming a 'Romantic Guy'
The meeting between new girl group A PINK and Lee Gi Kwang in Beast attracts attentions.
A Cube Entertainment which is the agent company of A PINK revealed in the morning on April, 15, “Lee Gi Kwang will appear on the drama teaser video of seven members of girl group A PINK’s debut title song ‘I don’t know’ as a hero.”
A PINK who got attentions with their beautiful faces and pure and innocent images released drama teaser video of debut title song ‘I don’t know’ via official website at 10:00 am on 15th.
The drama teaser video tried to express the romantic feeling with describing the shy meeting between beautiful girl and boy and heart beating romance brightly. The meeting between A PINK who are so fresh like the first love and Lee Gi Kwang who has shiny eyes and bright smiles have a fresh spring atmosphere.
The drama teaser of ‘I don’t know’ which has romantic and fresh melody lines describes the nervous feelings of A PINK before making debut. It expressed the feeling metaphorically with confession, ‘After the cold winter, one day with sunshine spring comes.’
Especially before the stories of Lee Gi Gang who received shy confession from girls became the popular man and A PINK starts, there is the scene that contains the shyness and freshness at the very flutter moment and expressed like fairy tale.
A PINK will released debut album ‘Seven Springs of A PINK’.
Source Via : Bntnews
Credits: askactor
View the Original article
[News] Dalshabet's 'Vivid Girl' Retro Transformation
Dal★shabet was unveiled in a fascinating fashion magazine. They were part of the fascinating fashion magazine 'Sure'
Fashion magazine 'Sure' worked with Dal★shabet for a 'Vivid' concept with a unique, cute, and innocent image of a retro hairstyle with colorful scarfs and using vivid colors in the makeup which made them transform into feminine chics.
Dal★shabet members said "We had so much fun with this new style and having so many colors to play with" They also said the transformation was a great challenge.
Meanwhile, Dal★shabet is working with the promotions of their comeback with their second mini-album 'Pink Rocket'
source: dipts
posted by: euun__x3@Dal★shabet LOVE
translated by: euun__x3@Dal★shabet LOVE
View the Original article
[News] 'King Geunchogo' risk of putting Idols into the drama
A historical drama ‘King Geunchogo’ casted member of idol groups all of sudden. Recently the makers told they casted three idols – Eun Jung and Qri in Tiara, Gun Il in group Supernova.
KBS 1TV historical drama ‘King Geunchogo’ starred Gam Woo Sung has been struggling with low viewer ratings of 10%. KBS weekend historical drama created popular historical dramas once such as ‘The First King Wang Gun’, ‘Dae Jo Young’, ‘The Tears of Dragon’ but recent one is less than expected. So, viewers are skeptical of casting idols.
Eun Jung was casted as ‘Jin Ai’ and will act the one of two head of Jin family, Imperator Jin Godo’s daughter. Jin Ai brings up the image of King Geunchogo’s mother So Sook Dang as ladylike and good-natured woman character. And later she will married Goo Soo and stand out as the number one queen in BaekJe. This is the second trial for Eun Jung to act on historical drama after ‘Land’ in 2005. She has built her experiences in acting with drama ‘coffee house’, ‘dream high’ and etc. But we cannot be sure whether she will adapt to historical drama not a drama of present-day life.
Moreover, Qri in Tiara got the role ’Princess YeoJin’. She is like tomboy resembles her mother Hong Ran. She married old man Sa Gi and annoys him in various ways but she becomes faithful wife to Sagi with breaking through her obstinacy when she meets Sagi again after he left due to the asylum. It is also second challenge to the historical drama for Qri after drama ‘Queen Seon Duk’ but it is still risky situation because her acting ability was not well proved.
Gun Il in Supernova joined the drama. He casted as ‘Shoi Kko Bi’ and it is the first time to act on the historical drama. He appeared as singer and killer on SBS drama ‘Sign’ and acting he most has done was dead body. But he has built experiences on many dramas such as ‘Sangdoo, Let’s Go to School’, ‘I Will Love’, ‘Soul’, etc. However it is questionable that he could act the important role ‘Shoi Kko Bi’ which will lead the most portion of dramas after.
Considering those three has at least experience in acting on dramas, we could expect to watch it. However, it could not ignore the views that worry their acting abilities.
Especially most viewers are middle-aged so that they may disrupt focusing on the drama of viewers with their unproved acting abilities. Historical dramas are usually based on middle-aged actors’ stable acting abilities. But if it becomes the test of idol’s acting, it will affect as position to the drama.
One related person of drama said, “I couldn’t get the reason why makers casted three idols”, and added, “It is still risky even though they want to recover the viewer ratings. Casting idol members could get spotlight in a short time but it is less potential to appeal middle aged people. I just worry if they lower the degree of completion.”
Source Via : Nate
Credits: askactor
View the Original article
[News] After School’s Jungah, perfect body proportions, transformed into a chic DJ
Girl group, After-School’s member Jungah extraordinary look captured everyone’s attention.
In Orange Caramel’s Bangkok City music video, Jungah was featured in the club scene and she transformed into a DJ, working her chic look at the DJ booth. Even though it was a short appearance in the music video, she had managed to leave an impact and captured the attention of the fans. Jungah, who has the nickname “Mom” by the fans shown to the fans her playful side through this music video.
Despite the long hours and that the filming ended late into the night, Jungah had been at the sides cheering for the other 3 members as they went through the shoot. Netizens commented “Such perfect proportions, indeed it’s our After-School member!”, “I want to see Jungah’s solo stage!”, “It’s good to see members supporting the sub group!”.
Orange Caramel is made up of After-School 3 youngest members, Nana, Lizzy, Raina and is working as a sub unit group of After-School now with their latest track, Bangkok City.
Original articles: 엑스포츠뉴스, OSEN, 스타뉴스, 리뷰스타
Translated by: energywenkahi
View the Original article
Popular Golden Facial Proportion App, HK Artists become the guinea pigs
Turns out that the iPhone already released an App for the golden facial proportions. Reporters found a several Stars to be the guinea pigs. This app calculates the entire face's proportion and scores how perfect it is. As long as you take a close up, front facing photo, then your face can be calculated. 10 points is perfect.
Raymond Lam: Useless to Chok
Recently Raymond has been troubled by all the news with Mavis Pan and didn't get any sleep. It has been rumored that he got a face transformation N times to become the Chok Raymond he is today. Reporters found a picture of him 10 years ago and compared it with a more recent picture. Turns out that Raymond's face change got him 0.6 points higher. But he got the lowest score among the male artists that were tested!
Joey Yung: No Improvement
10 years ago, Joey had a round face, chubby cheeks and wasn't a beauty no matter how you look at her. However today is not the same as the past, people always said that Joey had a face transformation, as she got more popular, she got better looking. Unfortunately, using the golden proportion measurement, she only got a score of 7.5 both times!
Kary Ng: Close to perfect
When Kary debuted under the Cookies group, she wasn't the most outstanding. In the recent years, she changed her image into a rock girl and did her solo development from there. Audience started to see her in a new light. Reporters told Kary to try out the app, at first she didn't really understand what was called golden proportion until she saw her high score of 9.6. Kary shouted instantly: "Does golden proportion tell the symmetry between your face and your facial features? I can't believe my proportion isn't that bad." Kary, it's not just you that couldn't believe it, even reporters had a big surprise. But this app is mostly for fun, don't have to get so serious!
Natalie Tong: Symmetrical Facial Features
Natalie is not considered a big beauty, but her facial features are normal. After playing with the app, Natalie received a score of 9, very impressive. She said in joy: "My face is a little big, my right side is thinner, can go on camera. Can't believe I got 9 points!"
Charmaine Sheh: High expectations
As the TV Queen, Charmaine Sheh sure does have high expectations on herself. When performing this test on her, we had to let her do it over and over again before it worked. She said: "This picture doesn't look too good, can I take it again? I'm afraid it will affect the results, if I get too low of a score, that wouldn't be good!" In the end, she took the photo 3 times, finally it satisfied Charmaine. Unfortunately her score was only 8.5, which was just average, but she remained strong and laughed: "It's pretty good!"
Bosco Wong: Golden Proportion Siu Sang
Besides Raymond, Bosco is considered one of the handsome Siu Sangs in TVB. Known to be a pretty boy, Bosco tried the app and got what was expected. He successfully beat all the Siu Sangs. "I got the highest score? I'm so happy! This app is amazing, what is it called? Let me download it too!" Bosco became the Siu Sang with the highest score of 9.1, even happier than getting TV King.
Moses Chan: Chok is useless
Always said to be the handsome Moses Chan, just by his looks and image attacts many female fans. We thought Moses and Bosco would be in competition! But it turns out that his score of 8.3 was just average, he said: "I never thought I was good looking, I'm not about the idol image, so I'm not one bit disappointed! Haha!!"
Wayne Lai: A pleasant surprise
Compared to Raymond and Bosco, TV King Wayne Lai is more inclined to the team with ability. When he tried the app, he himself was ready to lose. "Compared to Bosco and Moses, I'll definitely lose!" But we should always think optimistically, Wayne's score was a pleasant surprise, a 8.4, 0.1 higher than Moses.
Source: Sudden Weekly
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU
View the Original article
Law Lok Lam famous overnight: Euthanasia
Who could have thought that Law Lok Lam, who entered the industry 40 years ago and is practically accompanying everyone at dinner every night on TV, could have become famous overnight? Well thanks to his good acting and many productions that he gets to be broadcast all day long. Coincidentally in all of his series airing, he 'died' in all of them. He also has to thank the Netizens with a good eye to have caught him 'dying' in 5 series within 24 hours. As of April 13th, there has already been 15 places overseas and other countries that are fighting to report about Law's 'death'. "I feel this is a special coincidence, and I can't imagine it. However, in the last few days many people have contacted me and has already caused a confusion in my life. I don't have much hopes now, I just want to eat and live peacefully..."
I'm just a regular homemaker
It is not easy to meet up with Law Lok Lam, but it was even harder in the last few days. Not many people in the industry had his phone number, if you wanted to find him, then you'll just have to leave a message at the station. "Sorry! Getting back to you this late. Aiya....so many reporters have tried to contact me in the last few days. Even the media outside of the country wants to interview me. I could only reply and say that my phone died. I just went to Kowloon City to buy groceries and was followed, I couldn't leave. I was only able to get back home not long ago to cook and make soup...."
(Law Lok Lam's family with Connie Chan)
Currently 63, Law had already gone though his smooth years and is adapted to wind and waves. "After being in this industry for so long, to me, there is nothing really that I have to be so intense about. When I encounter the media, there's not too much of a strong feeling, I still continue to drink my tea, buy my groceries, cook my meals. It's just too many people are asking me for interviews, losing a lot of my personal time. There's too many things I wasn't able to do."
"In fact, I'm no different from your average homemaker. During the holidays, I would spend time with my family, definitely will go to the market to buy chicken for the holidays. Usually I just do some cooking, my daughter loves my squid patties and steamed pork chops. In the last decade, I am responsible for cooking the meals, if I have to work, then my wife and daughter will just go out and buy their dinner."
Source: Apple Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU
View the Original article
Maggie Cheung Believes Carina Lau Will Win HKFA Best Actress
Despite past nominations for the Best Actress in the Hong Kong Film Awards, Carina Lau Ka Ling has never won the award. Nominated for the sixth time in the Best Actress category at the 30th Annual Hong Kong Film Awards, Carina will be competing for the award with actresses from a younger generation: Josie Ho Chiu Yee, Tang Wei, Miriam Yeung Chin Wah, and Fiona Sit Hiu Kei!Regarded as the favorite to win the Best Actress award at this year’s Hong Kong Film Awards, Carina was even supported by rival, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk. Having won the HKFA Best Actress title five times in the past, Maggie appeared at a press conference in Beijing yesterday. At first Maggie did not want to predict the awards outcome since she did not watch the majority of the nominated films. However, when it was mentioned that Carina was nominated for Best Actress, Maggie wished that Carina would win. “There is no reason; I just believe in her. I hope she wins the award!”
Dispelling rumors that Maggie had separated from her architect boyfriend, Ole, the pair was spotted holding hands. Maggie also denied rumors that she was retiring from acting; she was only selecting roles carefully.
Source: Orientaldaily
Translated by: JayneStars
View the Original article
Linda Chung burdened by the rumors, ditches Raymond Lam for a breakthrough
In the entertainment circle, it is better to have news than not to have any news. Who cares if it's negative news! Perhaps this is the life in the entertainment world, but Linda Chung just happens to go the opposite direction, she believes that rumors are helpless for an artist to get up top and would even add on to the pressure. She firmly believes that true ability is the way to go. She hopes the public can just forget about her rumors with Raymond Lam, and she sets Charmaine Sheh as her goal. One day she will become the TV Queen. (*The rest of the article is Linda speaking...)
Since I've entered the industry, I have been in many series. If you want to talk about my representative work, I would say Seung Joi Sum in Heart of Greed because that was the most popular and got the most public response. Honestly speaking, when I first entered the industry, most of my roles were the innocent and obedient girl. The opportunities to challenge my acting was not big, perhaps I didn't do too well in the acting, but I won't feel regret that my acting isn't good. Instead, I kind of like my type, I use true feelings and it's very natural. The thing about myself that I pity most is my physical status that affects my development, like when I was shooting Ghost Writer because my health wasn't good, and often had insomnia that affected my work. If I could choose, I want to play a female assassinate the most. I would wear a black outfit or red colored tight clothing, like Charlie Angels, it should be pretty fun.
Fortunate to have guidance from seniors
In fact, I feel pretty lucky. Since I've entered the industry up until now, all of the artists I worked with enlightened me. Besides the lead actors, I want to say that many of the 3rd, 4th, 5th line artists helped me a lot. I would chat with them, sometimes they may not be in the scene with me, but after they watch me on TV, they tell me the areas I could improve on.
Among the female artists, I admire Charmaine Sheh the most. She is an artist hat deserves to be respected. Before when I was in Canada, I already started watching her series, I really like her role as "Chuk Kwan Ho" (Return of the Cuckoo). I will set her as my goal, of course I hope to get TV Queen too, but I believe I still need a few more years to train myself. Charmaine also spent a long period of time before she got it, her acting is really mature.
Admires Wong He's attitude
Among the male artists, I really admire Wong He. He is very hardworking, to the producer and the entire team, he seriously captures well. In this industry, it is very necessary to have this type of person, bringing concentration to the team. Wong He helped me a lot, his acting is tremendously attentive, clearly knows how the feeling of the picture will come out. From The Gem of Life to Twilight Investigations, he gave me a different perspective. He has high expectations to the entire crew, it is a good thing, he just wants a good production. Of course can't get too over and unreasonable. If changes to the script can produce a better outcome for the series, then why not? I really admire him.
I am personally a person with a quiet personality. Work is work, I don't like to socialize nor do I know how to make relationships. Maybe my personality is a slight loss to this industry, but I treat people with a true heart. I believe the hard efforts I put into my work, people will see it.
About my personal life, I have always been low-profile. Honestly, I am rather happy, relaxed and comfortable without any news. Because if the news is too big, naturally there will be reporters following me, then I would feel more pressure and I won't be happy. I rather have no news than be someone who has negative news because I don't want the news to affect my family. I have to take my family into account, have to protect my obedient girl image, but I am just being myself. I don't like to stay out late a night or smoke, and I don't like to be in random relationships. After all, I just want to keep my family and friends low-profile as much as possible, protect them as much as I can.
Long for a touching classic song
Regarding news, many people will mention my rumors with Raymond Lam. I feel the rumors have been going on for too long. At first I thought, just let people write it however they like, as long as I know it's not true, but when the rumors went on, even the people I know started believing it. At the time, I really wanted to come out and clarify, I didn't want people to talk about me, I felt that this will really affect my work. The reports went from positive to negative. I would tell people to not ask me again, but sometimes I can't control it. I hope audience can focus more on my work and not the news.
Outside of filming, I really like to sing. Usually when I have time, I would compose songs to kill time. Although I never formally learned before, but composing music is the same as acting, don't necessarily have to had learned it before. The most important is that it has feeling. I have love singing since I was young, I can express some of the emotions I usually hide in the songs and this is a type of stress reliever. As a TV artist, it is hard to be a full time singer, but I do hope that I will have a classic song that touches people.
Healthy sex appeal, shows off long legs to smooth the eyes
Don't think that I'm tall and thin, but in fact I love to eat. Also because of work, I always have midnight snack, so my waist can easily get fat. I recently became a spokesperson for a beauty salon for the first time, really happy to have them assist me in losing weight. In my past endorsements, I had to wear rather sexy clothing, but this time I just need to be myself, as the obedient girl. The main focus is showing some legs, hope you all will like it!
Source: Oriental Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU
View the Original article
Friday, April 15, 2011
Three cops killed in Taliban attack in Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- At least three people were killed in one of three attacks in Afghanistan Thursday morning, officials said.
The deadly attack occurred in Paktia province near a police station, said Azad Gull, a district governor.
Four suicide bombers attacked the police station and one was able to get inside and detonate his explosives, Gull said. Three police officers were killed in the attack and two were injured, Gull said.
A Taliban spokesman said his organization was responsible of the attack.
"(We) have killed many local policemen during the attack on a local police center," said Zabiullah Mojahed, the spokesman.
Police were able to shoot and kill one of the attackers before he could detonate his bomb and the other two attackers were unaccounted for, Gull said.
Two women were injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in an area of Kandahar Thursday, police said.
Also three police officers and a civilian were wounded after a truck exploded near a district governor's office in southeast Kabul.
View the Original article
Japan quake toll rises to 13,456
Tokyo (CNN) -- The death toll from Japan's historic earthquake and tsunami neared the 13,500 mark Thursday, police reported.
As of 3 p.m. (2 a.m. ET), the number of dead from the disaster stood at 13,456, according to Japan's National Police Agency. Another 14,851 remained unaccounted for, and Japanese police and troops are still combing the ruins of coastal villages in search of more bodies.
A total of 4,902 people have been injured, and another 139,020 have been displaced by the disaster.
Susan Olson contributed to this report for CNN.
View the Original article
Pakistan's transgender tax collectors
Karachi, Pakistan (CNN) -- Miss your tax deadline in the United States this weekend, and you might get a nasty letter at your door. In Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, you might get Riffee and the gang. They are "transgender" tax collectors -- whose weapons include flamboyancy, surprise -- and a little lipstick.
In a move that speaks volumes about the lengths to which Pakistan is going to tackle tax evasion, Karachi officials are using Riffee - who like many people in South Asia works under a single name - and her team as enforcers with a difference. They are sent to the businesses or houses of debtors. The aim -- in this very conservative Muslim society -- to embarrass tax debtors into paying up.
Riffee -- like her tax-collector friends Sana and Kohan -- is physically a man, but prefers to be called and dress as a woman. Their job is quite simple: each morning they turn up to work and get a list of missed payments. One by one, they make house-calls, causing trouble at each debtor's home or office, trying to get them to pay up. It's not clear how effective this tactic is, but officials insist they would not do it if it did not work.
"Their appearance causes great embarrassment amongst the people," said Sajid Hussein Bhatti, the tax superintendent who gives Riffee her orders every morning.
When Riffee was a 10-year-old boy, she decided she wanted to be a woman. Since then, she says, she's endured plenty of prejudice. "We're trying to educate society and show them how we like ourselves, but if your parents don't understand you or give you respect, how can you expect other people to?"
A Pakistani court ruling two years ago gave eunuchs -- men who have been castrated -- the right to be referred to as a "third gender." Riffee believes the same right should extend to her and her friends, although they have not been castrated.
We followed them as they visit a series of electrical appliance shops. The first debtor insists there's been a mistake and the bill's been paid. The second is less amenable, so the team threaten to come back 24 hours later, half a dozen strong -- and dance in the shop. That just may be enough to get a tax bill settled.
There is a serious side though to this theatrical tactic. Pakistan's tax take is dire: barely 1 per cent of Pakistanis pay any income tax, and the government is frantically trying to increase its income -- partially to placate the International Monetary Fund. Pakistan wants to borrow up to another $5 billion from the IMF, which insists the state improves its tax collection.
The government is seriously indebted -- and only 1.9 million people in a country of 170 million filed tax returns at all last year. By some estimates 10 million people are registered to pay taxes in Pakistan; the great majority don't pay a rupee.
In a country where many say the courts are weak and the police corruptible, Riffee and the team are a last, albeit striking, resort.
View the Original article
Bomber attacks mosque in Indonesia
(CNN) -- A suicide bomber attack at a mosque in Indonesia killed one person and injured several others during Friday prayers, police said.
The attack occurred in a mosque that is inside a police station in the city of Cirebon, said Boy Rafli Amar, a National Police spokesman said.
The person killed was the bomber, police said. Scores were injured in the blast, the spokesman said.
View the Original article
Tepco must pay $600M in compensation
Tokyo (CNN) -- The owners of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi power plant must start paying 1 million yen ($12,000) to households displaced or forced indoors by the nuclear accident there, Japan's government ordered Friday.
The Tokyo Electric Power Company will start handing out checks "as smoothly and as early as possible," hopefully by April 28, its president, Masataku Shimizu, told reporters. Individual residents will receive 750,000 yen and households will get 1 million, Shimizu said, with the company's interim cost estimated at about $600 million.
A government committee ordered the payments as an advance on the compensation that Tokyo Electric will owe nearby residents and businesses for the month-old crisis at Fukushima Daiichi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Friday. Edano said the government hopes to have payments in residents' hands by Japan's "Golden Week," a string of national holidays that begins in April 29.
About 78,000 people living within 20 km (12.5 miles) of the plant were ordered out of their homes in the days after the March 11 accident, which now is ranked at the top of the international scale for nuclear disasters. Those living another 10 km out were told to remain indoors as the plant belched radioactive particles into the environment from three damaged reactors.
Monday, Japanese authorities told residents of five municipalities in that outer belt and beyond to evacuate within a month, due to lower levels of radioactive contamination that are likely to pose a long-term health hazard. Other towns have been put on notice that evacuations may be required soon, bringing the total number of people directly affected so far to about 146,000, according to Japanese government estimates.
Edano, the government's point man on the crisis, said officials still are working on an overall framework to compensate farmers, fishermen and other business owners who have been idled by the disaster.
Tokyo Electric has no timetable for resolving the accident, and the yet-unknown cost of compensation has called the survival of Japan's largest utility into question. The Japanese government has agreed to support the company to keep power flowing to its 25 million customers without big rate increases, Deputy Finance Minister Fumikiko Igarashi told CNN, but he said a government takeover of the utility was unlikely.
"The way the government will approach that is still in the decision process," Igarashi said.
The utility reported 2010 profits of more than 1.4 trillion yen ($17 billion).
Plant workers have been battling to cool the overheated cores of reactors 1-3 at Fukushima Daiichi, about 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo. The plant was swamped by the tsunami that followed March 11's historic earthquake, knocking out normal coolant systems.
At the plant on Friday, efforts continued to drain highly radiaoctive water from the basements and service tunnels of the reactor units' turbine plants -- a necessary first step to restoring normal cooling systems. Japanese authorities drew the ire of fishermen and some of their country's neighbors by authorizing the dumping of thousands of tons of less-contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean last week.
The 10,000-plus ton discharge was billed as an emergency measure aimed at making room for the more dangerous fluid, some of which is believed to be leaking from the No. 2 reactor. More than 9,000 of that came from a waste treatment facility at the plant, which could hold up to 30,000 tons now that it's empty, Tokyo Electric officials said.
Crews have been laying fresh pipes to the treatment center and hope to start transferring water from unit 2 on Sunday, the company said. But its capacity could be only a fraction of the volume now sloshing around in the turbine building basements, and engineers are still pouring hundreds of tons of water into the reactors every day to keep them cool.
Susan Olson and CNN's Paula Hancocks contributed to this report for CNN.
View the Original article
Family and friends bid farewell to Alan Tang
Film industry big brother Alan Tang Kwong Wing at the end of last month passed away due to heart disease at the age of 64. His family yesterday began funeral services at the Hong Kong Funeral Home and invited Taiwan Chung Tai Chan Monastery monks to chant scriptures for him. Big Brother's altar was decorated in white, with three golden Buddha statues from Taiwan in the middle. Big Brother's wife and daughters chose the photo of Big Brother sitting a chair in a suit, looking dapper. They hoped that everyone would always remember the most just and heroic side of Big Brother in their hearts. The daughters also in another corner displayed valuable photos of Big Brother from youth to middle age, with the words "Mighty, Kind" for everyone to remember him by.Around noon television coverage teams were on hand. Big Brother's family and two god daughters May Law Mei Mei and Joyce Cheng Yun Yi arrived before 2PM. Around 3PM Jenny Tseng (Yen Nei), Linda Wong Hing Ping, Joseph Koo Ka Fai and Sharon Kwok Sau Wan arrived. Then more than a dozen monks arrived to prepare chanting for Big Brother. Over 100 family and friends attended the ceremony, with over 200 kulapati under the leadership of the master of the ceremony chanted for Big Brother. After the ceremony, the monks left at 5PM. Then Yen Nei with the help of Pauline Wong Yuk Wan left tearfully; however she still was willing to stop for a media interview. She said that she and Big Brother have known each other for a long time. Big Brother in her heart was very righteous Big Brother who has always very strongly taken care of the little people. Has Big Brother taken care of her? She said, "I am more independent, but Big Brother took care of me as well. We were very family, like family. Before my husband's death, we would often meet. In my impression he is a handsome guy."
Martial art school operator Kwok Sau Wan before leaving revealed that today she would arrange for several white lions to pay their respect to Big Brother before the funeral. When asked how Big Brother's widow was, she only said that many people were heart broken because Big Brother left too suddenly. Big Brother's friend John Chiang Dai Wai revealed that the chanting ceremony was very solemn. Today he along with Ho Lai Chuen would be among eight pallbearers. The funeral will take place at 10AM. The coffin closing ceremony at 11AM will be conducted by Chung Tai Chan Monastery's Master. At noon Big Brother's remains will be transported to the crematorium.
Big Brother in life had many friends and many of them came to pay their respect. They included Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Jackie Chan, Patrick Tse Yin, Willie Chan Chi Keung, Liza Wang Ming Chuen, Mona Fong Yat Wa, Stephen Chan Chi Wan, Yen Nei, Elaine Lok Yi Ling, Margie Tsang Wa Sin, Pak Shuet Sin, Peter Lam Kin Ngok, Jimmy Wang Yu, Michael Hui Koon Man, Wu Fung and his wife, Andrew Lau Wai Keung and his wife and others. Chow Yun Fat, Leon Lai Ming, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Cally Kwong Mei Wan, Louise Lee Sze Kei and others sent floral arrangements, around 200 of which filled both sides of the street. At 7PM, Brother Four and Chan Chi Keung left and Chan Chi Keung stopped to speak with reporters. He sighed, "a brother of over 20 years, I really miss him. He truly was very loyal and great to his daughter. He was so strong, I never thought that he would go first." Then he was teary eyed as he said that Big Brother left very peacefully, but he did not take a final look as he was at the Tang home when Big Brother passed. At the time he saw Big Brother was as peaceful as he was sleeping, which was fortunate. As for Mrs. Tang, he said that she of course was upset, luckily her daughters were by her side.
To remember Big Brother, his daughters Yip Yan and Yip Wai produced a memorial program for him. The black program had the word Tang in silver, with Big Brother handsome black and white photos, family photos and valuable photos with friends in the industry. Big Brother's surviving family, Yun Yi, Law Mei Mei and Jacky Cheung Hok Yau all wrote eulogies to remember Big Brother. His wife wrote, "For the love of my life husband Alan, you brought me endless joyful memories and a pair of lovable and filial daughters. I will properly take care of myself and live on, you don't need to worry. Go in peace, one day our family will reunite in Heaven. Remember you always! Wife Janet"
Law Mei Mei in her writing revealed that she called Big Brother "Old Man" for 21 years already. In 1990 she and Big Brother made RETURN ENGAGEMENT (JOI JIN GONG WU), on and off screen they addressed each other as father and daughter. She never imagined that after the shoot they still kept in contact and continued this destiny. She said, "Before meeting your family, I never knew that a family could be so complete, fortunate, happy and warm." She also said that she was afraid to sit next to Big Brother and his wife because they would spare no energy into filling his belly. Once at Mother Tang's birthday, that night they had 15 dishes, Big Brother and his wife of course did not forget to fill her plate. Finally after the meal her stomach ached until four in the morning. All the food that she ate that night was enough for her to hibernate for a month. "Old Man, perhaps in the hearts of many was a righteous, just, solemn, respected Big Brother, but in my heart you were always a humorous, lovable, kind good father who is worthy of respect and love!"
Sources: on.cc, singtao
Translated by: HK Morning
View the Original article
Jacky Cheung kicks off Hong Kong leg of concert / Jacky’s Opening Night Concert at HK Colisum; Chow Yun Fat and ex-wife Candice Yu attend same concert
God of Songs Jacky Cheung will kick off the 20 show Hong Kong leg of his "Jacky Cheung ½ Century Concert" tonight at the HK Coliseum. All 190,000 tickets for the 20 shows have been long sold out. Due to each show being close to 3 hours long, Jacky’s concert organizer and manager Florence Chan encourages all fans / audiences to arrive early so that the show can start on time at 8:15pm sharp. In efforts to give fans the best experience possible, the concert organizers rebuilt a brand new stage for the concert that is completely different from the one used during Jacky’s World Tour in China and the U.S. -- one made especially for the HK Coliseum. The effect is that Jacky will be able to get more ‘up close’ with the audience – in fact, during one particular segment, Jacky will be sitting right in front of the fans, with virtually ‘zero’ distance between them, which is sure to make many Jacky fans very happy!
Earlier in the week, Jacky encouraged fans and concert-goers not to give him flowers this time, but rather donate rice instead to help feed the poor and also protect the environment. Mrs. Chan expressed that the responses from the fans have been overwhelming, so they decided that after Jacky’s 5th show on the 18th, they will arrange a handover ceremony backstage for the donations.
Source: Oriental Daily, Mingpao
Translation: llwy12 @ AsianFanatics
View the Original article
Exclusive interview with Nicholas Tse, fun travelling back in time in "The Legend of Swordman"
It's already been two months into post production of "The Legend of Swordman" (Sword Heroes' Fate), you can already start to see the results, a few days ago, Sina entertainment exclusively interviewed main star Nicholas Tse to talk about this alternative ancient drama about travelling to 2030. Nicholas Tse stated, a lot of imagination has gone into this TV series, he himself went from the future into the game world, there's a lot of creativity in there, young people will like it.Sina: Having watched the highlights of this series, I think the effect of travelling to 2030 was pretty good, what do you think?
Nic: Compared to the TV series that get made these days, it's pretty good. At present, the series is in post production, I haven't seen the finished video, but I think the effects will be good.
Sina: It seems time travel is quite a popular topic these days, what do you think is the biggest draw of this series?
Nic: A lot of the time travel themed ones today are set in the present, but "The Legend of Swordman" is set in the future, in terms of production costs, it needed a big budget. Plus in this TV series we all went into the game world through advanced technology, there's a lot of creativity in there so young people should like it.
Sina: The director said when you did fight scenes you didn't use stunt doubles, this drama has a lot of action scenes, was it hard?
Nic: It wasn't all without stunt doubles, but a majority was done personally, speaking personally I have certain standards towards fight scenes, I communicate with the action director about moves I think will make the fight scene better and give the audience more feeling of excitement, as long as we can attract the audience, it's not hard.
Sina: Is this the series you've filmed that's used the most effects?
Nic: At the moment it is. Because basically when we went into the game world we became kung fu masters, every one had a special move, but some moves must be matched with effects in order to get the full effect, so practically every episode has effects.
Sina: You and Ah Sa are an arguing couple, are there a lot of scenes where you two fight? Are there romantic scenes?
Nic: There are a lot of romantic scenes. In the drama, Ah Sa and I are lovers in real life, I only went into the game world because of her, I never would have thought her modern memories would be wiped by a hacker, anyway there are a lot of setbacks. But, I have to keep the details back, if you want to find out then watch it.
Sina: I hear you and Kenny Kwan are arch rivals in the drama, what's that about?
Nic: Yes, he is a hacker, actually, in the real world we are both very amazing network experts, but we never met each other, so in the game's virtual world, he wants to see whose better, me or him.
Sina: Do you like your modern look in the drama? Does the 2030 described by the drama fit what you imagined?
Nic: Minimal, simple, including the space in the TV series is designed with this style. The imagination behind this drama is very rich, there's a lot of fun technology in there, an intelligent future world is very exciting.
"Sword Heroes' Fate" (剑侠情缘) - Futuristic Scenes Teaser Preview
Source: Sina
Translated by: kelvin @ multistars nicholas-tse.net
View the Original article
Sharon Chan a cheerleader madly screams for the guys
Sharon Chan has long arms and legs, when she was in primary school a cheerleader and self-claims that she's experienced and got the agility. Recently, she serves as the supporting team at the racecourse and was able to instruct the other 4 beauties on the cheerleading moves. Sharon was not only attentive passing on her secrets to cheerleading, but she also carefully helped the girls pick out their clothing. Sharon said: "Because I'm tall enough, I was a cheerleader in primary school. I feel quite honored, like I'm going out representing the entire school. Every time I saw the male school mates jogging, I scream so loud my voice becomes hoarse. This time, I'm here to cheer for the winner in the horse race. My skills are quick, even the splits isn't a problem for me. (That amazing?) I participated in Strictly Come Dancing before, it's just others were worried that I couldn't do it because earlier I accidentally fell and injured my collar bone." Asked about her current condition? She expressed that her injury has already fully recover and said that she's even stronger than before: "After several months of break, I was able to recover and become more healthy, my collar bone is stronger than before. (Under the care of your boyfriend?) No, only got my mom's beautiful soup, it's too bad I can't get fat from all that eating." As to her upcoming work schedule, Sharon is currently preparing to shoot Return to the Three Kingdoms with Raymond Lam and Tavia Yeung. She will play "Younger Qiao" (小喬).
Source: Oriental Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU
View the Original article
