Welcome to the fifth version of this blog.
This blog started out as an extension of my work then it evolved into a less ambitious, more personal site. Just before this new evolution, fifth–and I may lose count of the changes–this became theasianpopculturist project. Read more about it here.
But the soul of the blog has not really changed over the many changes. I blog mostly about my current pop culture interests and throw in my personal thoughts here and there. This is not a drama review or recap site, nor is it an entertainment news portal. It’s a blog on stuffs that interest me in general. Which may also mean I’d be blogging about regular topics like celebrities I like or news that amuse me.
In short, it’s all about the Asian pop culture that’s my cup of tea, or if you may, my Asian pop of tea.
I’ve been blogging since 2001 and it has become my stress-reliever so I don’t want to post anything too serious or directly related to my work unless it’s the fun side of it. Yes, I’m a journalist. This job allows me to travel and meet or interview interesting people. I’m also a fan girl so excuse the flailing sometimes.
The Asian pop culture scene is so vibrant and I am an eager student, fan, observer, critic, pundit… a pop culturist, if you may. We may not agree all the time but one thing’s for sure, Asia’s dramas, films, music, say so much about our own lives just as they have become essential part of it too.
What are we without pop?
So… want to have that pop of tea now?
Oh and yes, I have a tea ranking system for my posts. Read it here.
I am Yammybear
Orange Jasmine Purple Yam
I totally agree!!!! Yes, life is line one personal Asian drama
we are all stars in our own drama haha!
I like this blog… good job!
If you are interested/speak Japanese:
My name is Alli Potter, I am the personal assisant to YA bestselling author Imogen Rose. We have just had her first book translated into Japanese. We are in need of BETAS asap who can speak english and who are fluent in Japanese. Please email me if interested. It is a PAID job! Thanks for your time!
flafla@gmail.com
Hey yupkigirl, I nominated you for this blogging award (rather a chain blogging award, aha) – personally really love your writing and enjoy reading this space
You can find details here:
http://blogphilic.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/my-darling-liebster-award-stay-gold/
Thanks so much!!! Haven’t gad the time to update my blog, been away from WordPress but this will inspire me to be more active, shall check out your page!
Haha don’t worry about it, there’s absolutely no need to feel obliged to check out my page/site! As a writer and reader, I just personally really like your writing style and thus, the pieces you put out – think you totally deserve that limelight
Yay, hope you’ll keep writing!
I am Gloria.
gloriaseable in twitter
How did you know on twitter, I’m a fan Sakumoto, Juntoshi and Matsumiya.
I’d like to know what you think of these pairings.
I began as a fan Juntoshi, then I saw Training Camp and I followed Sakumoto: I noticed Jun which moves Nino to stand in front of Sho for lunch, and then Jun moved his mattress during the night and aligns his with one of Sho, It was all strange, so I started to follow Sho and Jun, but with them is really suffering
Matsumiya just I like them.
I would really like to know what you think of Sakumoto and Matsumiya and why you like these couples, thanks
hi Gloria!
aha so you found my blog.
I think my fave pairings in Arashi reflects my favorite members (although as any Arashi fan would say, we love them all equally–and only us can understand that even if we do have our ichiban, niban etc lol)
okay, Matsumiya first. I like them because the combination of snark and DoS can really be hilarious and cute to watch. I tweeted it just yesterday that I love watching Matsumiya because while they can exchange barbs, they also tend to protect and defend each other, especially when the other members or others outside Arashi are picking on the other. And did I say I love how Nino always comes up with these ridiculous nicknames for Jun like Jun-pon and Junnosuke that always makes Jun laugh? Although of course, the greatest of them all is “J”. I’m always amused when Nino talks about his J lol. but as a fellow Arashi fan said, Matsumiya is merely bromance between the two youngest in the group.
now, Sakumoto… I never really seriously shipped anyone in Arashi until maybe just two months ago? I have always loved Matsumiya and Sakumoto but it was always in the spirit of fun for me. now, it has turned to something else, as far as Sakumoto is concerned, and I need to get out of this phase because given the many considerations (social mores, taboo, careers), nothing will come out of Sakumoto. Unless of course they surprise us all hahaha
What I love about Sakumoto is their history. How Jun fanboyed Sho so much when they were juniors. The ice age. How they both changed. And how they seem to be getting back on track. Their history just begs for a fan fiction to be written lol
I know many say Sakumoto is the most awkward pairing in Arashi. But here’s my take: I don’t think they are awkward. It just looks like that to us outsiders but for sure, there is a deeper reason for it. Both Sho and Jun know that fans love Arashi for their natural chemistry and bond. Couldn’t they at least pretend to be chummy and touchy for the sake of the audience and in the name of fan service? The mere fact that they don’t is strange and suspicious in itself. I have no doubts that behind the scenes, they are good friends (I’ll use “good friends” here hahaha) and they get along well. But whenever they are in front of the camera, somehow, a gap is created. Now, why is that?
We have to look at Sakumoto in the context of the Japanese entertainment industry in general, or at least, in the culture that exists within Johnny’s. They are not like Korean or Taiwanese stars who willingly share their private lives to their public. Everything is strictly filtered. They can’t even talk about their personal lives on TV, like in the case of Higashiyama senpai (I was just watching this episode of Shiyagare last night so it refreshed my memory and a timely point to make here). Higashiyama himself said he’s the only one in Johnny’s who talks about his personal life. And just notice how Arashi themselves, when they asked Higashiyama personal questions, they felt it was such a huge thing lol. That captures perfectly in a nutshell the do’s and don’ts among the artists in Johnny’s. So everything we see, all that fan service, we are meant to see all that, and “consume” it so to speak, as fans. But we all know that it does not speak of nor show the entire truth. After all, Arashi is still a product that’s a result of the members and the people working behind the scenes.
In other words, there is so much mystery behind the lives of these boys that we will never come to know unless Uncle Johnny deems it so, and that includes Sakumoto.
I apologize for my English.
I hope to make myself understood.
I could take a few minutes
My favorite is Jun. So, I like all the pairings with Jun
My favorite combination is Sakumoto.
Juntoshi, Matsumiya, Junba.
Although, like you, I think it would be impossible a real relationship between them, for the country, the culture, their fans, their fame, and maybe because they are not interested and they do just fancervice
I’m sure Juntoshi it’s just fanservice : Jun is tied to Ohno and Ohno lately is tied to Jun,friends and nothing more, even though together they are explosive
I have always doubts about Sakumoto, Matsumiya Junba
Sakumoto: their history really seems a ff.
Jun, at eighteen, said that his ideal type is Sho, then suddenly do not speak to at each other, do not look anymore.
Then in a program Jun says that he was in love with the same person for thee years, but that person told him-impossible-
From the translations of Japanese fans Jun did not say woman or girl, but person.
For a fan Sakumoto is really hard not to connect the two.
Certainly Sho and Jun in 2003 did not love each other and, if they can are avoided at each other.
In 2004, West Side Story, and things seem to be improving, I think.
The real Sakumoto years were since 2008 to mid-2011.
I’m sure that Sho and Jun are with someone, and I’m pretty sure that both of them live with someone.
Sho made an incredible gaffe in AnS, when asked members what they do when they are alone at home, and then he remembered that all of them live alone.
Jun in AnS when he has to say -Good night-, it is clear he says this to someone and not for his home.
The ring of Jun to the index finger is a important ring and he has it since September 2011. I think Jun is a serious person in the feelings. So I think he’s with someone from September 2011. The rumors speak of Kiko, Nana, Kou, Mao. I don’t know, I hope he is well with everyone he loves.
I also think that Aiba has someone in his life. Aiba has changed much lately, much more professional
I think Jun and Aiba are friends, although sometimes seem in love with each other, Jun is completely himself with Aiba.
Matsumiya: They are very cute together, fight and seek each other, respect each other.
I always thought that Jun, during the Ice Age, has approached to Nino. They slept together hugging, Nino kissing the cd for the birthday of Jun.
If there had not been Training Camp I would say that Matsumiya is the true pairing
You should read the blog of shojunniji lj for Sakumoto.
When I speak of Jun I’m logorroica, especially forgive my English, my second language is French,
thanks