Search news archives

September 16, 2006

S.M. Entertainment Global Audition

HKVP RADIO - S.M. Entetainment, the label responsible for discovering and bringing out BoA, KANGTA, H.O.T., Shinhwa and the like will be holding the '06 S.M. Entertainment Global Audition with the Korea Times through 11 cities in U.S. and Korea, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Toronto and Vancouver. Any Asians may participate for auditions held from September 17 to October 28. Read more (English)
-- (Thanks, Big B)

June 29, 2006

Happy Birthday!
HKVP RADIO - After a blink of an eye, HKVP Radio turns 4 today. A great big thanks to all of our listeners!

June 23, 2006

MTV K set to launch with viewer-voted video; Third network under MTV World goes live on June 27th on air and online at 8pm et
MTV - MTV World today announced the launch of its third network, MTV K, the first channel dedicated to young Korean-Americans set to premiere on air and online on June 27 at 8 pm ET/PT. Beginning today, MTV K asked fans worldwide to log on to mtvk.com and help determine the channel’s historic debut by voting for the channel’s kick-off video. A 24-hour, music-centered channel featuring the hottest K-pop, hip hop and punk, MTV K will feature a mix of original programming, live events and some of the best programming from its international affiliates. Presented in English by bi-lingual, U.S. based VJs and other guest hosts, K will also showcase the vast influence of Korean culture beyond just the music: spotlighting Korean movies, drama and fashion. MTV K will be available from DIRECTV in the KoreanDirect™ package, part of WorldDirect™ service and will also be available on Verizon FiOS TV in the near future. “We are always trying to expand our content to better serve our incredibly diverse audience,” said Christina Norman, President of MTV. “MTV World has already seen great success with the addition of MTV Desi and MTV Chi, and with the Korean pop phenomenon spreading wildly across Asia, it was only a matter of time before we created a platform for this increasingly popular and influential culture within the U.S.” “Korean pop culture is exploding worldwide and is the next big influence in music,” said Nusrat Durrani, General Manager and Senior Vice President, MTV World. “MTV K’s mission is to provide millions of Korean-Americans with a unique connection to an exciting and evolving new culture that draws from both Korean and American influences.” MTV News correspondent SuChin Pak will kick off the inaugural and historic telecast, unveiling the first music video to be played on the channel, and new MTV K personality Eunju Yang will host the channel's first countdown show. MTV Chi’s launch attracted over 500,000 votes for the channel’s first video, Jin’s “Learn Chinese”, joining the ranks of The Buggles (MTV US in 1981) and the Dire Straits (MTV Europe in 1987). The list of original programming includes a weekly countdown show, Top 10 Kountdown; On LoKation, introducing the newest hotspots, exciting events, clubs, and restaurants heavily populated by young Korean-American crowds, and Hip Hop Seoul, which exposes K’s viewers to the best Korean hip hop music videos from old school rappers to new emerging artists. Hourly news program MTV News on K will be the first news service catering to young Korean-Americans with an on-the-hour update of the latest happenings in the Korean-American community at large. MTV K will be the third channel launched by MTV World this year, each designed to super-serve ethnic populations in the United States. MTV Desi, serving audiences with roots in the Indian sub-continent launched July 12, 2005, and MTV Chi, serving bi-cultural Chinese-Americans, launched December 6, 2005. DIRECTV’s KoreanDirect package, which is currently available to DIRECTV customers nationwide for $26.99 per month, was launched in April of this year, MTV K will be added to the package at no additional charge.
-- (Thanks, MTV)

June 20, 2006

HKVP Mail Bag

Ask Anni | Browse archives

"Hi Anni, I think you're wrong in your assumption that complaints about the female celeb sexual assault poll were made by the same group as the ones who complained about Lydia Shum's daughter. If the complainers were indeed "middle agers" as you assert, then I'd say as a group they have more respect for women than the other groups who think it's ok to molest and degrade women. The ones who complained about Lydia Shum's daughter fit more into the group who objectify women, and probably think sexual assaults are fun and no big deal. Appallingly, a certain HK celeb did feel flattered to be on the list because it made her feel desirable. Her low self esteem probably gets a boost whenever she's sexually harassed or raped. Sad!" Angie, San Francisco
Anni: Thanks, Angie.

"Hi Anni, I have a friend who runs a performing art organization and he would like to take his company on tour in China, Hong Kong and Japan. Can you help out with this?" AL, San Francisco
Anni: Dear AL, Sure. Please have your friend contact me. Thanks!

Backstage Career Requires Passion for Arts
WALL STREET JOURNAL - For Tisa Ho, the 56-year-old, newly appointed executive director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, being a manager in the arts means enabling others: "What we do is to put the conditions in place... so that artists can do their best and more. Then that's our job done." After studying arts management at City University, London, the Hong Kong native helped plan some of Singapore's biggest arts developments, including the Esplanade performing arts center, and managed the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In late April, she took the helm of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, where for one month each year more than 1,000 international performers and staff fill the city's dance, concert and visual-arts venues. Read more (English)

French director Olivier Assayas eyes Andy Lau for new movie
THE STAR ONLINE - Veteran Hong Kong actor Andy Lau may be about to make his English-language movie debut in an Olivier Assayas film, "Boarding Gate,'' according to a news report Sunday. Assayas met with Lau last week at Lau's Hong Kong office, the weekly magazine Next reported. But Lau may have a scheduling conflict. "Boarding Gate'' will film in France in August and in Hong Kong in July _ the same time as Lau is due to start shooting a film by director Derek Yee, according to Next. Read more (English)

China’s filmmakers believe piracy to grow
FINANCIAL TIMES - Most Chinese film executives believe movie piracy, which already accounts for more than 90 per cent of the market in China, will expand in the short term and is unlikely to shrink in the future, according to a major industry survey. The survey was conducted by the Centre for American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on behalf of the Motion Picture Association, the lobby group for Hollywood and the global interests of the US film industry. Read more (English)

Lee eyes Tony Leung Chiu-wai for movie
SKY VALLEY - Oscar winner Ang Lee has approached Hong Kong‘s Tony Leung Chiu-wai about appearing in his upcoming spy thriller, "Lust, Caution," Lee‘s assistant said Sunday. Read more (English)

June 12, 2006

Old Hands Warm Hearts: Vintage Canto-pop is making a comeback as a swelling young fanbase relaunches the careers of former stars
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Retro Cantopop-is enjoying a revival in Hong Kong - and not just among the middle-aged. While young Canto-pop idols struggle to shift new releases, singers who came to fame in the 1970s and 80s are winning fresh devotees. Anni Lam, a 25-year old Chinese-American, set up an online radio station broadcasting mostly songs from the 70s and 80s four years ago. Hong Kong Vintage Pop Radio claims tens of thousands of listeners, aged between 25 and 45. "I was trying to start a movement against the new music - by returning to the oldies and celebrating music as an art and trying not to let Canto-pop's glory and history fade." Read more (English)

HKVP Mail Bag

Ask Anni | Browse archives

"Hello Anni, what is going on with the HKVP site? There have been very little entertainment news lately. Also, what is up with posting a June 10, 2005 article for the website HK Entertainment news in Review on the HKVP homepage? We are in June of 2006 already. Is the HKVP site going away? I hope not." Thomas, New York
Anni: Dear Thomas and every fan at HKVP, My sincerest apologies. Life has been crazy the past several months. With extensive biz traveling and working on 13 new projects, time is hard to come by. I know, I know, there should be no excuses. As for HK Entertainment News in Review, the website owner Sanney Leung has been rather ill so he hasn't been able to update his website either. Speaking of which -- get well soon Sanney. You are sorely missed.

"Hi Anni, What happened to the HK gossip you used to post on your website? I can't read Chinese so I always looked forward to knowing what the latest scoop is from here. Thank you." Jenny, Los Angeles
Anni: Two of the same questions in one mail bag! I must be doing something wrong. Sorry about this, Jenny. My news writer and I will get on it.

"Hey Anni, What kind of music are you listening to right now? Since you started this station, does that mean you listen to Canto music a lot? Thanks!" Grace, Georgia
Anni: Dear Grace, Actually I've been listening to a lot of non-Cantopop lately. Of Chinese music, I've been listening to Jay Chou the most. I also have to keep up with regular Top 40 stuff - part of my job, ya know. T.I., Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Daniel Powter, James Blunt, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and such. And of course there is always my all-time favorites Johnny Hi-Fi and Kevin So.

"Anni, what do you think about the HK radio station getting all these complaints because the host posed a question to their listeners on which female celeb they most want to sexually assault? I mean, this stuff is kinda common in the U.S. so I was just wondering why there was such a huge backlash." Ted, Santa Clara
Anni: Dear Ted, I have to say I'm not that surprised. For the most part I believe most of the people phoning in consumer complaints are middle-agers, primarily women. It is probably the same group of people who complained that Lydia Shum's once overweight daugther is unfit to dress up as Snow White. Yes, the question is quite common by U.S. standards, but things are still conservative in Hong Kong media. Has anyone ever seen a sex scene on TVB? (Speaking of which, have you noticed that HK actors are very poor with french kissing on TV?) I thought the question was rather amusing but I know that a lot of political, sexual or incorrect issues don't bug me the way I know bug a lot of people.

June 10, 2006

Sun vies for 2nd Golden Melody
THE CHINA POST - Singapore pop idol Stephanie Sun, who won the best female singer award at last year's Golden Melody Awards, faces tough competition at Saturday's event -- one of the Chinese-language music industry's top honors. Sun is competing against six other strong contenders from across Asia, most notably Malaysian singer-songwriter Penny Tai. The 17th edition of the awards will be held in the capital, Taipei. Read more (English)

Malaysian, Singaporean artists set to shine at Chinese pop awards
MAINICHI DAILY NEWS - Taiwanese and Hong Kong singers have long dominated the Golden Melody Awards -- one of the Chinese-language music industry's biggest events. But at Saturday's ceremony in Taipei, outstanding talents from Malaysia and Singapore will be hoping to haul away many of the top honors, especially in the competition for best female Mandarin singer. Nominees in that category include Singaporeans Stefanie Sun and Tanya Chua, along with Fish Leong and Penny Tai of Malaysia. Read more (English)

ICAC arrest four linked to RTHK over bogus service charges
ASIAMEDIA - Graft-busters last night confirmed they have arrested four people connected to RTHK for cheating the government over service charges. The arrests, made over the past two days, came after the ICAC received a tip-off. Subsequent investigations found the four had allegedly conspired to submit bogus claims -- during the production of various RTHK programmes between 1995 and 2001. Read more (English)

HK radio show sparks outrage with molest-a-celeb poll
THE ELECTRIC NEW PAPER - THE host of a popular radio programme in Hong Kong has apologised for asking teens to vote online for the female celebrity they would most like to molest. Hong Kong Commercial Radio 2's So Fab programme came under fire after it was deemed to have incited indecent assault against women. Read more (English)

ASIAN POP : Switching Gears
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE - Justin Lin broke onto Hollywood's radar with the blackly comic model-minority-gone-bad flick "Better Luck Tomorrow." On June 16, his latest film, "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," hits thousands of theaters across America. Lin talks with Jeff Yang about the art of the controlled slide, the reason why gongs are lame and his long, strange road from indie stardom to summer popcorn cinema. The stench of scorched tire hangs over Universal Studios' back lot, refusing to dissipate in the slow valley breeze. But for the eager media types who've gathered for the launch of Universal's latest installment in its blockbuster street-racing franchise, "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," watering eyes and sulfur-scented clothing seem a small price to pay for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit in the passenger seat of a car being put through its paces by a top competitor on the international drifting circuit. Read more (English)

Effective training
THE STAR ONLINE - WHAT do Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star Chow Yun-fat, Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung Chiu-wai and comic director Stephen Chow of Shaolin Soccer fame have in common? They all studied at the same place: Hong Kong TV station TVB’s performing artiste training programme. Founded in 1971 amid a shortage for TV talent when the medium was still developing in Hong Kong, the programme has churned out some of the biggest names in Chinese-language show business, with a hands-on, condensed curriculum. Read more (English)

Male voices falling silent in Hong Kong’s Cantonese opera
KANSAS CITY STAR - Chan Chak-lui loves slipping into cream-colored gowns to play the role of a scholar gentleman in Cantonese opera — a world long dominated by men who sing, dance and perform martial arts. But the tall, willowy Chan is a woman — and that’s not a problem in Hong Kong’s operatic circles. Fewer men than women are learning the ancient ways, partly because of financial and social pressures. Tides have turned, and it’s the women who are keeping the art form alive. Read more (English)

Norah has the aura, says Hong Kong director
FINANCIAL EXPRESS - Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai says Grammy-winning singer Norah Jones, daughter of musician Ravi Shankar, has an actor’s “aura,” and that their coming film ‘My Blueberry Night’, was tailor-made for her. “Of course everyone knows her because she’s a singer, but I didn’t pick her for this film because she’s a very successful singer. I think she’s suitable for acting,” Wong said in an interview with Hong Kong’s cable TV from Cannes. Read more (English)

Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu steps behind the camera to direct a deadpan satire about Chinese pop stars
NEWSWEEK - Daniel Wu has already proven he's an actor of remarkable presence and versatility, playing everything from the passionate paramour in the Stanley Kwan Kam-pang drama "Everlasting Regret" to an assassin in "Divergence," Benny Chan Muk-sing's cop thriller. At last year's Golden Horse Awards, the Chinese version of the Oscars, Wu won best supporting actor for playing a crime boss opposite Jackie Chan's hero in "New Police Story." Now Wu is earning plaudits from Chinese film critics for an entirely new role as director of the small but delightful "The Heavenly Kings," a "mockumentary" exploring the Asian pop-idol factory. Read more (English)

Sexual assault survey sparks controversy
CHINA DAILY - An Internet survey asking web surfers what actress they would most like to sexually assault has sparked controversy over media ethics in Hong Kong, according to a Xinhua report June 7. The survey was organized last week by a local radio station whose audience is mainly comprised of young people, in which some 20 famous Hong Kong actresses, including Athena Chu (Zhu Yin), Ruby Lin (Lin Xinru), Vivian Chow (Zhou Huimin) and Kelly Chen (Chen Huilin) were listed as potential targets for an imagined sexual assault. Read more (English)

Andy Lau clears his name in Bianlian controversy
CHINA DAILY - Internationally renowned Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, who is now under fire on suspicions of divulging the secrets of bianlian, a traditional facemask performance art form, to foreigners has cleared his name, according to a report from the Chongqing Morning Paper. Read more (English)

The trouble with women
THE STAR ONLINE - WOMEN who plan to watch Hong Kong director Lam Tze Chung's I’ll Call You, be warned – what you will see is not a pretty picture. Lam has made no pretensions about the movie – an 85-minute feature on the evils of the fairer sex. And lest you think what is depicted is fiction, think again. Everything you see is based on real events and people. “This is the reality in Hong Kong. Women treat men like toys. And what you see in the movie is just the tip of the iceberg. There are more and worse cases. Shows like Sex And the City make it worse. These four women go around with an attitude, feeling all self-important, how great and happy they are that they don’t need a man. But when they finally want one, they don’t have any,” said the witty and acerbic Lam, who many would remember as Stephen Chow’s sidekick in Kung Fu Hustle. Read more (English)

Ang Lee visits Taipei to cast for his new spy thriller
HOUSTON CHRONICLE - Ang Lee was in Taipei this week, casting for his new film, the spy thriller Lust, Caution, his brother said. Lee, who is based in the United States, planned to spend two days in his home island, his brother Lee Kang told the Associated Press on Wednesday. The younger Lee, a film distributor, is helping the Oscar-winning director with casting arrangements. Read more (English)

Spacey joins cast of director Kar-wai's English film
TORONTO SUN - Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and nominee Ed Harrishave signed on for Hong Kong art-house movie director Wong Kar-wai's English debut, a newspaper reported yesterday. The pair will join an already illustrious cast including Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman, Hong Kong's Apple Daily newspaper reported. The romance, My Blueberry Night, also marks the acting debut of Grammy-winning singer Norah Jones. Read more (English)