AX3 Battery | Global Asian Pop Culture & Lifestyle Webzine

Jay Park Releases Free Mixtape: “Fresh Air: Breath It”

Ernest Ho — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:59:03 +0000

Days before the start of APAHM 2012, Jay Park surprises fans with a free mixtape.

On May 16th, the Seattle-bred K-pop idol released the link to his newest mixtape via his official Twitter account. “Fresh Air: Breath It” consists of six unreleased tracks, which are completely free for downloading! The mixtape also features APAHM 2012’s guest performer Dumbfoundead.

Jay and the APAHM will be holding their first concert on May 19th in Washington DC. The tour will continue to New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Here is the official tweet from Jay Park.

Sources: 1, 2

Theatric Thursday: Love Rain

Ernest Ho — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:58:35 +0000

Of all the TV shows airing in 2012, no other Korean drama is more anticipated than “Love Rain” (사랑비).

The show gathers the two currently biggest stars in the Korean drama industry: Yoona Im of Girls’ Generation and Jang Keun-Suk of the 2009 drama “You’re Beautiful.” The show also brings the reunion of the legendary director Yoon Seok-Ho with veteran writer Oh Soo-Yeon, whose previous collaborations include the unforgettable drama, “Autumn in the Winter” (가을동화).

“Love Rain” runs a doomed love story from the past in parallel with a love story in the present between their offspring. The past love story is set in the 1970s. Seo In-Ha (played by Keun-Suk) is a university student majoring in art, who falls in love at the first sight of Kim Yoon-Hee (portrayed by Yoona). After getting a hold of Yoon-Hee’s diary, In-Ha becomes completely immersed with her but is too shy to confess. Meanwhile, his best friend also falls for Yoon-Hee who consults In-Ha for help.

In the present, Seo Joon is In-Ha’s son (also played by Keun-Suk), who is an established photographer and a playboy. Jung Ha-Na is Yoon-Hee’s daughter (also enacted by Yoona) on exchange studying in Hokkaido, Japan. The two clashes from the start over Ha-Na’s cellphone, which was unnoticeably dropped into Joon’s pocket.

The show is set for a total of 20 episodes. It has been on the air since March 26 and the finale is scheduled for May 29. For those eager to follow the most romantic Korean drama of the year, be sure to catch it on KBS2, Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55.

Here is the latest making film from the show titled, Sad Romance.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sources: 1, 2

CHARGED Tunes: Kary Ng – Personally

David Li — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:06:47 +0000

This week of Charged Tunes brings you “Personally” (我本人) by Kary Ng (吳雨霏). A pop rock singer of Hong Kong, Kary originally started as one of the nine members of the girl band Cookies, but has since parted ways with the group to make a name for herself as a solo artist. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with several bands, but it has always been her personal trademark rock sound that has separated her from many other artists.

Although “Personally” is not exactly an example of Kary’s trademark rock sound, receiving over 2 million views on YouTube for the MV of “Personally” more than justifies her abilities and her decision to experiment outside of her niche. So turn the volume up and charge up – it’s Kary Ng on Charged Tunes!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source

Airplane Wednesday: Shawn Yue

Carolyn Shum — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:36:41 +0000

At the age of 30, Shawn Yue (余文樂) has worked hard to make himself famous in the Hong Kong and Asia entertainment industry. He is a cantopop singer, model, and actor. Since his short appearance in the movie “Initial D” and his role in “Internal Affairs II”, it has lead him to many acting opportunities and making him a known face in the cinema; one that includes a well-received movie that aired recently “Love in the Buff” (春嬌與志明) which is the sequel of “Love in a Puff” (志明與春嬌).

For today’s Airplane Wednesday, we bring you Shawn Yue!

Big Bang’s T.O.P. Returns To The Big Screen With ‘Alumnus’

Peter Tang — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:32:55 +0000

After the success of their new album Alive, Big Bang’s T.O.P. will be making his return to the big screen since his last film role in 2010.

T.O.P. has been confirmed for a new role in the upcoming film ‘Alumnus’. This would be his first return to filming since 2011 in the Japanese film adaptation of ‘Iris: The Last‘ . His acting was also met with much success in the 2010 film ‘71: Into The Fire’ where he played a student soldier in the movie and was even awarded ‘Best Rookie Award’ for his acting abilities.

‘Alumnus’, directed by Park Shin Woo, tells the tale of a young man whose father is a North Korean spy sent to the South. In order to save his little sister, the young man decides to become an agent and travel to the South as well. T.O.P. will play the role of a high school student who will take out the spies dispatched to the South.

The film will begin filming in July 2012 and is expected to draw a large number of Big Bang fans to the project.

Sources: 1

G.E.M. Tang: “What Have U Done”

Millicent Chung — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:36:59 +0000

With G.E.M. Tang (鄧紫棋)’s new album set to release, G.E.M.’s second hit single, “WHAT HAVE U DONE”, has been released. With this song, G.E.M. expresses a more English Punk and Rock genre. The MV, filmed in Los Angeles by the Hollywood team, is captivating and expresses G.E.M.’s ever-changing style. In the MV, G.E.M. transforms into multiple distinct styles, including a punk rock look, a seductive look and a coal black effect, to engage the viewers into the mood of the song. Her seductive look reveals a nearly bare G.E.M., wrapped in nothing but metal chains. All of the outfits worn by G.E.M. in the MV is designed by renown English fashion designer, Emma Wallace.

Check out the behind the scene photos! Without further delay, check out G.E.M.’s WHAT HAVE U DONE MV below!

Click here to view the embedded video.