Blog Entry 1

1. How were you introduced to Asian popular culture?

During late elementary school, my mom began watching subtitled Korean dramas on channel LA-18. The dramas would start before my bedtime (8:30) and the only way she would ever let me stay up past my bedtime was if I watched Korean dramas with her.

In high school, I began watching Korean and Japanese dramas on the same channel as a way of relaxing after coming home late from sports or clubs. It was a nice way to pass time and I preferred watching these instead of reality TV. I wasn't entirely hooked or obsessed, and since then I usually just watch what is recommended to me.

I started to listen to Japanese music because I had a lot of Japanese friends in elementary school, and in high school many of my friends were obsessed with Korean music. I generally leech music from my friends, so whatever they had, I would listen to.

2. What aspects of Asian popular culture do you enjoy? For example, what are some of your favorite films, dramas, groups, etc., etc.?

My favorites are usually mystery thrillers or culinary dramas, but I'll watch anything if someone has told me that it's worth watching. My current all time favorite Korean dramas are Gourmet and H.I.T (Homicide Investigation Team). I haven't watched Japanese dramas for a long time, but I really enjoyed Galileo, which they have also produced a film of.

Recently I haven't listened to very much Asian popular music, but I enjoy listening to Japanese groups like Perfume and Capsule and Korean groups like Epik High and Clazziquai Project the most.

3. What happens to you in the process of watching/listening/engaging in (different types of) Asian popular culture? How is it different from watching/listening/engaging in American popular culture?

Well, with music, I sometimes prefer Asian music over American music because I can't understand the lyrics. Therefore, while I am working diligently on a task, I won't become distracted and start singing along. At least, that was my original logic. After listening to so much Korean and Japanese music, I started picking up phrases and strings of the lyrics. I still like to listen to Asian music while I am working (painting or drawing).

Dramas are refreshing - most things I see on television these days are reality TV, which, I'll have to admit is somewhat of a guilty pleasure of mine sometimes. Dramas offer a variety to what I watch, and I really enjoy how they have a storyline. Most of the dramas I watch are miniseries - so they have an ending! Most American shows that I have watched mainly focus on a set of characters sleeping around and finding out secrets about each other, and sometimes the bigger storyline is lost. Producers keep drawing out the story to sell more episodes. MTV is hardly even about music anymore.

4. What are some Asian popular culture blogs and sites you have found fun, helpful, or informative? Please provide links if possible.

I really like watching culinary dramas and enjoy cooking, so naturally I am drawn to Asian food. I like reading some blogs on making bentos, which has become very popular recently. I read JustBento and CookingKorean.

Since I was a youngster, I've enjoyed reading manga - and I like to draw it too. The website that I read my manga from is OneManga. My all-time favorite is called MONSTER, by Naoki Urasawa.

I watch dramas on DramaFever, which requires membership, but is well worth it.