Post #1

1. How were you introduced to Asian popular culture?
How was I introduced to Asian popular culture, well I never remembered being introduced, but I was born into a household with Asian popular culture. As far as I remember in my childhood, I was watching TVB [a Hong Kong Channel] dramas, variety shows, and films everyday. I remember, that my mother and aunt loved to listen to music by Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng, Leslie Cheung [etc.] I remember one of my favourite film in my childhood was "Once Upon a Time in China"/"Wong Fei Hong"

2. What aspects of Asian popular culture do you enjoy? For example, what are some of your favorite films, dramas, groups, etc., etc.?
Well, I enjoy a lot of East Asian pop cultures. Starting 1995-2005 I enjoyed Hong Kong pop culture, I like artist like Nicholas Tse, and Twins, however my liking for Cantonese Pop culture died, when I started getting interested in Mando-pop from Taiwan and Mainland China in the periods between 2006-2008. Groups such as Fareinheit, and F.I.R was in my list of liking. In 2008, I became interested in Japanese popular culture, bands like Arashi and the drama like Hana Yori Dango had attracted me, then I learned of TVXQ from the J-pop sector, which drew me into getting interested in Korean Popular culture. In other words I like all East Asian pop culture for example, some bands I like is TVXQ, Super Junior, T-iara, SNSD, SHINee [Korea] Fareinheit, S.H.E, F.I.R [Taiwan], Arashi, KAT-TUN, News [Japan], and Top Combine [China]

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?
It may sound wierd, but when I watch sad dramas, I get emotional, and when I watch historicals I have a Pan-Asian feeling growing, and so on, but when I watch American programs I tend to make fun of it or I fall asleep or I migh just turn off my television. When I listen to Asian pop music I have a connection that I can relate to, but when I listen American pop music I always say this "why are American music so savage like? all they talk about is sex, and killing, and so on, is this society and civilisation?", I hate American music. Asian Fashion style that suits me, instead of the nasty Californian style has also errupted recently, and with the availbility of Asian online fashion stores it has been so much easier to feel like an Asian.

4. What are some Asian popular culture blogs and sites you have found fun, helpful, or informative? Please provide links if possible.
Most of the sites I use to view Asian things are in Chinese since I am fluent and know the language, but one english website I use for Korean Pop news is www.allkpop.com, and sites like www.yesasia.com sells asian media products, sites like www.yesstyle.com , and www.kshopper.com allow to see what the fashion is like in Asian and it allows me to order clothes online. I also visit home sites of bands and artist for example www.smtown.com of S.M. Entertainment allows me to see what my favourite artists like Super Junior and TVXq has in store.