半熟宣言/Not Yet A Woman: Album Review

This is album is okay, but not as good as I expected. Yah, the first two songs are good, but the rest are just...so plain. Seriously.

#太煩惱(Too Much Trouble)
#帶我走(Take Me Away)
#我的愛吊點滴(My Love Drops)
#冷戰(Cold War)
#火星(Mars)
#半熟宣言(Half Mature Declaration)
#愛我請Shutup (Love Me Please: Shutup)
#在你懷裡的微笑(In Your Arms Smiling)
#女生我最大(Girls, I’m The Biggest)
#幸福的節拍 (The Beat of Happiness)

I liked Too Much Trouble and Take Me Away, both songs from the hit drama Miss No Good. So anyways, listen to it!





Yah. So what do you think? I think both of the MV's are pretty cute! XD

Well, I give this album a solid...8. After all, I am a big fan of Rainie!!!

Umm....Awkward!

Talk about strange!!! XD

This is a picture from Hana Kimi's EK Lady competition/櫻開小姐比賽! Yah...I have nothing to say.

You know, there's a scene when Nan says to Quan, "Why don't you go back? I heard your Lara Croft costume was a big hit." Or something like that. But the thing is, we never got to see him in his costume. Well, here it is now.

Yes, it's kinda cute. Especially Yang Yang!!! He looks so much like a girl~

Last thing. I know I'm kinda neglecting you guys, but I've been so busy lately. Sorry!

同一個遺憾/The Same Regrets [Preview] MV

This is an insert song to the drama, Miss No Good. To tell you the truth, it's gotten much better ever since Rainie straightened her hair! The storyline is actually not half bad~

Anyways, this song didn't come out with a complete version yet, so you guys can listen to the preview above. It's really good, especially when the they sings English chorus. The song is sung by our favorite modeling designer, Will Pan! And...some other guy,紀佳松.

Yup, so that's all I really have to say today!

xoxo

Hallie Sasaki

Black & White/痞子英雄: Preview

For some of you that don't really know, this is the new drama that Vic Zhou, and Mark Zhao will be starring in. It looks really suspenseful, and definitely a new direction in Taiwan's showbiz. I don't think we've ever had a drama that included violence, other than the latest Police Et Vous. But this one looks like it used a lot more of special effects, making it like America's popular television show, 24.

Well, it's definitely something different, so I'm probably going to watch it. XD

More info here.

花樣少年少女/Hana Kimi: Review

Yes. This is my review of Hana Kimi. It may be kinda late to write this, since Hana Kimi is a couple years old...but it's never too late, right?

Anyways, so I just finished watching this, and all I say is, "It's really great!!!".

SUMMARY

After watching a high jump competition on TV, Lu Rui Xi was so inspired by a jumper named Zuo Yi Quan that she decides to transfer to his school, which happened to be an all-boys school; therefore, she disguises herself as a boy to get accepted. At the school, Rui Xi befriends Jin Xiu Yi. One day during a friendly soccer match, Rui Xi is knocked unconscious by Xiu Yi. Quan carries her to the infirmary and realizes that Rui Xi is in fact a girl! However, Quan keeps her identity a secret. At the same time, Xiu Yi starts to question his own sexual orientation when he finds himself having feelings towards Rui Xi.

PROS

I think that the best thing about the drama was that you could tell the guy liked the girl in the first place. So there weren't many confusions, and you didn't have to worry so much. Also, I think Ella was much better at acting than I thought she would be! It's pretty sad she stopped acting, but I don't think there was any other shows that suited her.

Anyhow, you should totally watch Hana Kimi!

CONS

The only thing that kinda sucked was that the end was totally disappointing. I mean, it ended. Just like that. It was really ridiculous. ><

Anyways, I'm not really in the mood to write all my thoughts down...so please excuse the short post. XD

CAST

Dormitory Two

• Ella as Lu Rui Xi 盧瑞莃 (Ashiya Mizuki)
• Wu Chun as Zuo Yi Quan 左以泉 (Sano Izumi)
• Jiro Wang as Jin Xiu Yi 金秀伊 (Nakatsu Shuichi)
• Tang Yu Zhe as Liang Si Nan 梁思南 (Nanba Minami)
• Xie Zheng Hao as Guan Ri Hui 關日輝 (Sekime Kyogo)
• Chen Wen Xiang as Jiang Ye Shen 江野伸 (Noe Shinji)
• Yang Hao Wei as Li Cheng Yang 李承央 (Nakao Senri)
• Xie He Xian as Sima Shu 司馬樹 / Da Shu 大樹 (Kayashima Taiki)

[edit]

Others from School

• Tang Zhi Ping as Mei Tian 梅田 (Umeda Hokuto)
• Zhang Hao Ming as Wang Tian Si 王天寺 (Tennouji Megumi)
• Kao Chi Hung as Jiu Duan 九段
• Yuan Ming Zhe (袁明哲) as Bei Hua Ke 貝華克
• Zhang Yong Zheng (張永政) as Men Zhen 門真
• Gong Ji An as Oscar (Himejima Masao)
• Chen Zhen Wei (陳振偉/斧頭) as Ri Ben Qiao 日本喬
• Huang Wan Bo as Tian Luo 田螺 (ep13)

[edit]

Extended Cast

• Ethan Ruan as Shen Le 申樂 (Kagurazaka Makoto)
• JJ Lin as Lu Jing Xi 盧静希 (Ashiya Shizuki)
• Guo Ching Chun as Mei Ying Hua 梅穎華 (Nanba Io)
• Alexia Gao as Wu Wan Juan 吳琬絹 (Kinuko Karasuma)
• Nissa as Julia
• Duncan as Yuan Qiu Ye 元秋葉 (Akiha Hara)
• Joelle Lu as Abby
• Chen Xiang Ling (陳香伶) as Ke Yu Xiang 柯語湘
• Cai Han Cen as Mei Xiao Xu 梅曉緒
• Yuri Huang as Liang Si Nan's ex-girlfiend (ep08)
• Vivienne Lee as Chi Jun Li 池君莉

EXTRAS, EXTRAS!

• The drama is based on the Japanese shoujo manga "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" (花ざかりの君たちへ) by Hisaya Nakajo. The literal translation is "For You In Full Blossom." The manga is also known as Hana Kimi.
• The show was renamed under the Japanese manga publisher's mandate to associate the show with the manga in an effort to raise manga sales.
• Chinese New Year SP aired on February 17, 2007 instead of episode 14. The SP is a competition with the "New Year theme" between the cast of Hua Yang and the cast of Summer x Summer.
• Wu Chun dubbs his own voice in this drama.
• Producer Huang Wan Bo confirmed there will be no HanaKimi sequel .

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

This was definitely the best of Wu Chun's dramas! It's way better that Romantic Princess, trust me! XD


YOUTUBE

Episode 1. (clear version)

金鐘獎/Golden Bell Awards: Recap

Every year, I always turn on the TV to catch some certain type of award ceremony, from the Oscars, to the Emmy's, then to the TW Golden Bell Awards. Well, all you pretty much gain from watching these shows is a pair of black eyes the next morning. Still, every year, I'm like,"Well, you only get to see it once an year," and I still meekly sit on the sofa to watch it. So since I've already watched it, why not do a recap? Seriously.

I think the only awards actually worth watching were:

• Best Actress
• Best Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Drama Director
  
• Best Drama

Yup. So really. I sat on the couch for several hours to watch 6 awards, plus Aska Yang and Rainie Yang's performance. It was really tiring! And...it overall was pretty depressing.

I mean, Ariel Lin winning the Best Actress award is OK with me, besides, she's a really hardworking actress. And they had really awesome nominees for Best Actress. Rainie (Why Why Love), Angela (Romantic Princess), and Chiao En (Fated to Love You). Yah, things were okay for the Best Actress Award.

But now for the Best Actor. They didn't even nominate anyone good. Unless you count Eddie Peng from Wayward Kengting. Which I most definitely...don't!

The Best Supporting Actress and Actor didn't go to anyone that mattered (to me). But Lee Wei was a nominee for Best Supporting Actor, which kinda surprised me. If Lee Wei can be a nominee, then why can't Ethan???

The Best Drama Director also went to someone that didn't matter. But Fated to Love You and Why Why Love's directors were also runner ups, which is pretty cool.

Last but not least, the Best Drama award went to....FATED TO LOVE YOU!!! Finally!
And I can't imagine anyone else that deserved this award more than they did. It's such a great honor!

Oh right, Aska's performance was pretty good. He sang 惡作劇 and 我的快樂. They weren't perfect for his voice, and he also forgot the lyrics to one of the earlier songs, but it was pretty cool.

Rainie's perfomance was more extravagant, because she kept on changing clothes with every song. She's a really good singer, and she really shined that night.

Overall, I have a conclusion. I am so not watching next year's awards. Although I doubt I'll be able to keep my promise...XD

Trick or Treat!!! We Want Candy Too!

Isn't that the cutest thing? XD

Well, I did keep my word. Today's the second Halloween Special. And although there's no M&M's to go around (eye candy, anyone?), at least I wasted 5 minutes of my busy life to write this god-forsaken post. And it's the thought that means the most. Right?

Yours Truly,

Hallie Sasaki

*starts loading Hana Kimi Ep. 12*

Happy Halloween!

~HAPPY HALLOWEEN~

Happy Halloween! A week early...

Yup. So, it's a special occasion here at the NB, also our first year celebrating it. Today, I have a special treat for all of you, and it is totally ah-mazing.

You know, I was kinda busy lately because of watching Hana Kimi. And, so yah, today's theme is kinda based on it.

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Isn't it ah-dorable? Heart it!!!

So, keep tuned, cuz who knows, there might be another Halloween surprise waiting for you tomorrow. ^.^

{Cape No. 7 海角七號} Movie Soundtrack

{INTRO}

Just when I thought that all the CN7 fever was over, I bought the movie soundtrack! It's totally cool, & definitely worth buying. As you see, it looks just like the parcel inside the movie, except it's made of cardboard, not mailing paper. Plus, it includes the seven letters written by the teacher. On the back of the letters, are the lyrics to all of the songs. It's pretty nice, considering the fact that the company wasn't even going to make a movie soundtrack, because they didn't think that CN7 would be such a hit.

{COST}

Anyways...it costs 349 NT, if you buy it at Costco. That is about $13.50 US. But if you buy it on YesAsia, it will cost you $16.99 US dollars, plus shipping. Well, if you don't live in Taiwan, I guess you don't have any other choice.

{SOUNDTRACK}

1. 第一封信/The First Letter
   
2. Don't Wanna (范逸臣/Van)
3. 第二封信/The Second Letter
4. 愛你愛到死/Love You Until Death (楊蕎安&林曉培)
5. 第三封信/The Third Letter
6. Mainu Sun哪裡去, 你? (丹耐夫)
7. 第四封信/The Fourth Letter
8. 給女兒/For my Daughter
9. 第五封信/The Fifth Letter
10. 無樂不作 (范逸臣/Van)
11. 第六封信/The Sixth Letter
12. 國境之南 (范逸臣/Van)
13. 第七封信-情書/The Seventh Letter-Love Letter

*Bonus Track: 1945 (純音樂版/Instrumental Version)

So, last thing. This really rocks!!!

隱形的翅膀/Invisible Wings MV (張韶涵/Angela Zhang)

If you were bored enough to input 張韶涵 inside the Youtube search bar, you might find that this video would be the first on the list. Oh, fine. Second.

But either way, it's the first MV. So yup. Even though it's an old song, it's still nice to listen to! Plus, I want to tribute this post to Angela Zhang~ who has taken a break because of her recent heart attack. Let's all hope she'll quickly recover! XD

{Turn Left, Turn Right} 向左走·向右走

Well, yes, I haven't exactly seen this movie. They do have a blurry version online on Youtube. The only reason I haven't watched it yet was that my friend said she has the DVD, except that it disappeared into thin air, but she'll keep an eye out for it. Well, it's worth the wait to watch a clear version...

Meanwhile, I have read the book. I'm sure you've all heard people go," Oh, the book's better than the movie, etc." And since I haven't seen the movie, I can't really argue this one. But I have to say, the book is beautifully illustrated. Really. It's not just a boring black and white chapter book with tiny print, but a book with amazing pictures. And I know most of you stopped reading picture-books a long time ago, but trust me, this is worth it!

~PLOT~

Leung plays a translator, and Kaneshiro plays a violinist, who live parallel lives and appear to be perfect for each other, but somehow fate seems to keep them apart. They live in the same apartment building, but never meet, because when they leave, one turns left, and one turns right.

OMG!!! Takeshi Kaneshiro is inside~ XD (adds 10 points)
And... it's filmed in Taiwan! Which justs adds 10 more points! ^.^

Well. I'm going to be watching this movie...in the very near (or not!) future. When I do, I'll write a full review~ until then,

TTFN (tata for now)

{海角/Cape No.7} MSN 大頭貼

These are some MSN avatars from the much loved movie, Cape No. 7.

They're all the rage right now, so get one b4 they're all gone! XD

Pick your own here.

Sweet 13th

This is officially the last post I will make:

When I'm 12.

Because tomorrow, I will officially become a teenager of 13. I'm so proud of myself!!! *tears*

Wish me a Happy B-day!!!

Luv Ya Guys,

Hallie Sasaki

周董新專輯 Jay's New Album: Capricorn 魔杰座

After listening to 10 of the 11 songs, I was ready to say, "That's it?"
But then I clicked on the last song, which happened to be 稻香 Fragrant Rice. That song was definitely the best song I had ever heard in a long time. It's soothing, and covers the importance of family. Jay is definitely a talented artist!!!



TRACK LISTING:

1. 龍戰騎士 Dragon Warrior Knight 4:28 (Lóng Zhàn Qí Shì)
2. 給我一首歌的時間 Give Me The Time For A Song (Gěi Wǒ Yì Shǒu Gē De Shí Jiān) 4:11
3. 蛇舞 Snake Dance (Shé Wŭ) 2:52
4. 花海 Ocean Of Flowers (Huā Hăi) 4:22
5. 魔術先生 Mr. Magic (Mó Shù Xiān Sheng) 3:45
6. 說好的幸福呢 Where is the Promised Happiness (Shuō Hăo De Xìng Fú Ne) 4:14
7. 蘭亭序 Orchid Pavilion (Lán Tíng Xù) 4:12
8. 流浪詩人 Wander Poet (Líu Làng Shī Rén) 2:47
9. 時光機 Time Machine (Shí Guāng Jī) 5:09
10. 喬克叔叔 Uncle Joker (Qiáo Kè Shū Shū) 4:14
11. 稻香 Fragrant Rice(Dào Xiāng) 3:43

Plz support Jay!!! XD

海角七號 Cape No.7 Piano Solo

I think after watching CN7 box office grow and grow...all we can do is love the movie more and more!

I found this wonderful piano version of the CN7 theme song...and I think you'll like it!!

Listen here.

Download MP3 here.

Download music sheets here.

Corner With Love 問候歌

Finally! I finally uploaded my first video to Youtube. I'm actually quite proud of myself, even though it isn't that good! XD

Hope you'll like it!

Oh! And add me~ plz!

不良笑花 (Miss No Good) Ep.1

I'm probably a little slow, but yah. This is finally the first episode of 不良笑花 otherwise known as, Miss No Good. I already watched it for you...and to tell you the truth....


It was cute. Strange. Funny. Impossible. Oh, and throw in cute again.

It's not that bad, it's just maybe Rainie shouldn't act so much like a little girl, and maybe Will shouldn't act so much like a narcissist.

But the funny was definitely toned nicely!

So depending on you, you can pick whether to watch this Cute, Strange, Funny, Impossible, and Cute drama. It's up to you!

海角七號/ Cape No. 7

"每個人心中都有一封寄不出的情書, 不管是到天涯, 還是...海角七號!"

"In every one's deepest, darkest corner of their hearts, there's always a unspeakable love letter, waiting to be sent far far away, or to...Cape No. 7!"

If anyone has been paying attention to the Taiwan box offices, you would've noticed one movie was quite a special case.

海角七號, aka Cape No. 7, is a touching story. Starting with a love letter that was written more than 60 years ago, somehow it became tangled with a present time story about a small town, a amazing band, and the meaning of true love.

I wouldn't want to write so much, because this movie is definitely worth seeing yourself! XD

But FYI, Cape No. 7 didn't sell all that good the first day it showed. In fact, it just got better and better throughout the weeks! Now that is what I call weird!

A lot of reliable sources say that the reason for the uprising is for all the bloggers that are introducing this movie...such as me? LOL~

A last bit about CN7...it's a original Taiwan production! *feels proud*



And it's tons better than watching the Mummy 3.

{命中/FTLY} 古裝版/ Old Times Style

Would you look at that! It's really hilarious~ I never knew they did a video like this! But turns out it's all just to advertise a new book about the god in FTLY. ><

南拳媽媽/ Nan Quan Mama

I am officially obsessed with this band right now! They're so awesome~ XD

I've recently been seeing their MV's on the TV, and at the time I totally thought they were just a garage-band! (garage-band as in bands that still play in their garages...literally! Or it can also mean newbies!)

Here are some songs from their new mini album; 优の良曲南搞小孩:

• 再見小時候
  
• 你不像她
  
• 下雨天