matsubunny’s Neighborhood

We went to do more sightseeing yesterday, with a new tour guide. She's much better I feel, in terms of smiling, friendliness, English, knowledge of good places to go and initiative. Aniwaes, we went to Lotte World, which I absolutely loved but didn't get to ride anything except for the pharoah 3D virtual show. =( It's a place to go with friends, not family. Not a family who's afraid of the smallest things. Aniwaes, I also saw the hot air balloon ride featured in Creating Destiny. XP I think it's really destiny coz on the previous tour, I walked past this shop in Insadong that was used as Yeo Jun siter's pastry shop in the show.

After Lotte World, we went to this precius stone workshop where gm bought some jewelry. Then it was to 63 Building to view the nightscape!

Pretty ne? Looks like Christmas lightings.

Not when you look properly what it's made of. Or when you're in the middle of it.

We wentto the Wax Museum next!

I'd be happier if it was Yong Ha's role instead of Yon-sama's. I didn't even watch Winter Sonata lah! But, just for fun!

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Today is our last day in Seoul. And being very very afraid of the weather outside My face is starting to peel and turn into a pimples hotspot), we decided to stay indoors and shop at COEX mall. Surprisingly, I bought very little even at Seoul! Just bought two tops and some hair accessories. I tried to speak in Korean, and I think Agnes sunsaengnim would have been proud. We ended the day at the convenience store, and I wanted to buy some drinks. There, I experienced the power of celeb endorsements. I totally have no interest in the drinks offered by the store, and decided to jsut grab some orange juice and random sodas. And then, I saw it. HJL on a bottle! It was a soda, and so I decided to buy it. When the product itself makes little difference, celeb advertising comes to play. Aniwaes, it was a good choice because the soda tasted quite good. Even my non-fangirl gm says so.

The purchase I was most happy with was the YB Novel part 2 and the Comic part 2. They were both released 18th Dec, just a day ago! Lucky me!! If they had released it tomorrow, I wouldn't have been able to get it at such a cheap price. I haven't really read them (no time) but I browsed through it and realised that the Comic comprises 3 parts, and the third book will be out in Jan. T.T Below are some photos I took of the BTS pictures attached at the back of the Novel part 2.

Please credit karened.vox.com if reposted!

I guess I'm one of the minority who loved his hairstyle at the start of the drama.

It's the YB International Fan Project Message Book JGS is holding yo!

This was after the first forced kiss scene ne?

JGS at top, Park Shin Hye bottom.

Hong Gi top, Yong Hwa bottom.

I'm so gonna scan the chibi images into HQ and print them out!

Another thing...I was rewatching YB when I realised this tidbit about the star talk scene. Read the following dialogue:

고미남: 그 별은 아주 많은 사람이 좋아해주는 별입니다. 그 많은 사람 중에 저도 끼어서 그 별을 좋아해도 죄가 되지 않겠죠?
Go Mi Nam: That star is a star that many people likes. It won't be a transgression even if I join those people in liking the star, right? 
황태경: 넌 그런 것도 허락 받고 좋아하냐? 별한테 물어봐. 넌 지금 보일 거 아니야.
Hwang Tae Kyung: You want to get consent even for such a thing? Ask the star. Aren't you looking at it now?

Doesn't this echo the later episode where Tae Kyung said he consents to Mi Nam liking him?

황태경:고미남, 앞으로 네가 날 좋아하는 걸 허락해준다.
Hwang Tae Kyung: Go Mi Nam, in the future, to your liking me, I give my consent. 

I know how that scene of him giving consent, by itself, is a classic scene. Maybe it's just me, but seems like there weren't much discussion of the link between the above two scenes. It's like TK remembered their time together and gave MN the answer she needed.

Also, this link made the part where MN thanked TK for accepting her as a fan more logical. Actually I had a bit of an issue as to why MN thought that TK was giving her consent to become his fan. How could anyone be so dumb with regards to a confession? But with this link, I could see why. MN had heard TK's words as an answer to her previous question at her father's hometown. And when she asked that question, she had framed it as her joining TK's fans in liking him, as a fan.

my avatar pic is now nino chan <3 ahha gomen amber chan i am borrowing his face for a while XDD
i think he looks beautiful in this shot....his eyes......vERY VE mesmerizing...fell in love with the pic when i bought the mag.and no, ohchan is still my fav <3

HAHAHA XD
credits are to arashinino for the lovely scans XD

Totwi ~ 

cause that's what they make me ♥ Bubbly ♥

嵐の人気の秘密? 5人でいる時が好きって言ってもらえることが強みだと思う

――表彰式、相葉君は特に嬉しそうでしたね。
【相葉】　昨年のこの表彰式は出席できなくて（大野君と櫻井君が出席）、記事でその時の様子を見ました。だから今日は式に出席できて嬉しかったですし、会見も楽しかったです（笑）。

――じゃあトロフィーの重さも格別だったのでは…？
【相葉＆二宮】　ずっしりと…。
【相葉】　2年分の重さですね。
【二宮】　でもすごいことですよ、全員にトロフィーがもらえるなんて（4冠達成を称える表彰状と、それぞれの賞に対してトロフィーを贈呈）。全員がトロフィー持っている表彰式ってなかなかないでしょ。
【松本】　しかも全部違う賞だからね…。
【櫻井】　だから改めて5人でよかったなって思った。
【松本】　6人じゃなくてね（笑）。

――今回の記録、なかなか塗り替えることができない記録だと思います。自分達で更新するしかないですね？
【全員】　いやぁ～
【松本】　1回で十分ですよ（笑）。

――10周年を本当にいい形で迎え、次の5年、10年に向かって、グループとしての目標みたいなものはありますか？
【櫻井】　目標という形ではありませんが、こうしていこうということは、いつも話し合っています。

――それは気持ち的な部分ですか？例えば気合入れて行こう！みたいな。
【櫻井】　いつもリーダーが言ってることがあって…。
【大野】　………。
【松本】　忘れてるんじゃないの？（笑）
【大野】　いつも初心を忘れないでやっていきたいってことですね。
【櫻井】　なので、特に目標とかは掲げてないですね。これ（4冠達成）だって高すぎて到底目標に設定できないですし。
【松本】　こういうものは狙ってできるものじゃないですからね。本当にラッキーだと思います。

――こんな偉大な賞を取った嵐というグループを、皆さん客観的に見て、自分たちのどこがみんなから好かれているのだと思います？
【櫻井】　よく言われるのは、「曲がいいよね～」って。だからいい曲をいただけてるんだなと思いますよ。僕等は自分達で曲を作っているわけではないので、スタッフに恵まれてるんだなと思います。

――作品に対してのこだわりをすごく感じました。ベスト盤（『All the BEST！ 1999-2009』）には新曲を入れたり、DVD（『5×10 All the BEST！ CLIPS 1999-2009』）には皆さんからのコメントが入っていたり…。
【松本】　今年に関しては、メンバー1人ひとりが、しっかりスタッフと意志の疎通を取り、ひとつの目標に向け、お互いにひとつひとつ確認しながらできたことが大きいと思う。

――作り込んでいるなと思いました。ベスト盤をただの記念盤的な作りにしてないところも…。
【松本】　記念盤を作ろうではなく、今年のアルバムどうする？どういうの作る？っていうところから始まってますから。

――どの作品にもこだわりを感じることができましたし、だからこそどの作品も口コミでその良さ、評判が広がり、ロングセールスになっているのだと思います。
【松本】　改めて色々な人に支えられているのかがわかりました。

――老若男女、ここまで幅広い層から支持されているアーティストも珍しいですよね？
【二宮】　トータルなんでしょうね。楽曲もそうかもしれませんが、見てて楽しかったりするじゃないですか？（笑）。今日の会見とかはまさに“THE 嵐”な感じでしたし…そういうところを含めてかなと思いますね。
【松本】　CDで賞をもらえたことも嬉しいですけど、DVDで1位を獲れたのが本当に嬉しい。『5×10～』は、10年分のPVが全部入っているというお得感もあるかもしれないけど、PV集って好きじゃないと観れないと思うんですよ。ライブもそうですけど。なんとなく手にとってみようという感じの商品ではないですし。だからこの1位はすごいなぁ。嬉しい～な～（笑）。
【櫻井】　よく言われるのは、さっきも出ましたけど、5人でいるときが好きって言ってもらえることも多いから、CDやDVDと共に、5人のバランスが好きって言ってもらえているところが、結果、強みかなとは思います。

――それと、実は嵐ファンです…という人がたくさん出てきたのが、2009年だった気がします。
【櫻井】　隠れなんとかみたいな感じでしょ？（笑）
【松本】　何で隠れてたんだっていうね（笑）。やっぱり2009年はデビュー10年目にしてようやくメジャーになれたなって感じでしょ（笑）。
【全員】　（爆笑）
【櫻井】　そしてもう一度アンダーグラウンドに戻るっていう（笑）。
【二宮】　暗黒期が始まるんですよ（笑）。
【相葉】　頑張らないと生きていけないですよ。

+++ source link

Arashi everywhere in TOKYO~!!!!!!

原宿､池袋､渋谷

tks to my MJ buddy who got all them MJ magic in her and found these so promptly =] sorry there arent bigger pics yet.. but for now i'm sure these are enough to make the fangirl in you squeal with glee.. XDDD and without bias.. really.. Sho kun is LOVEEEEEEEEEE *rolls on ground* XD

+++++

wow....they did it....they are the first in Japanese history to sweep ALL categories !!!!!!! Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <33333333333333
i bet they never thought this day will come !!! BUT it did ^___^ ....hahah when i first started liking them...i never even bothered about this.....XD only wanted to watch more of their awesome interactions.....and really i never expected this either...................
they really slogggggedd like crazy .....being compared to smap then.....and then later pushed down by their own juniors.,,,,but they continued to do what they did and stuck with ppl who always gave them the chance and loyalty.....and finally they reap the fruits of their labor ^________^
these awards are not only for arashi but i am sure for everyone who has supported and worked with them.....
the fact that ppl like hatori still loved them..the fact that ANS staff are with them all the way...the fact that sho has such awesome friendships ...really speaks alot about their work ethics....and the way they treasure relationships

some "fans" might STILL be comparing them to smap and claiming that they will never touch their greatness or whatever.....and some "fans" might start to claim that they are borrreedd with them getting all the top honors.. and some talk as if it was so easy for arashi to top...but...the year was hard too....with economic problems...and tough competition ¬_¬........BUT they did it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhh SO proud of them *tears*.......i dont really care about whats going to happen from now on.....it will be great if their 11th year is awesome too......but even if its not.....i realized i am really enjoying their shows.....like REALLy enjoying HNA...and VSA <3 and of course ANS.......i love their songs....and more importantly i really love them and the love they give to anyone around them.......so even if the world of fans turns their back on them........i think i will stick with the storm and try to not spend too much time criticizing what they do and instead just sit back and enjoy the ride...^_______^

ganbatte arashi chan !!!!!!! THANk you so much for the wonderful 3 years that i have gotten to know you and watch you grow .....and will be looking forward to the future ^_______^......GANBAROUUU!

totwi~ 

■嵐、アーティストトータルセールスも初受賞

　『第42回オリコン年間ランキング2009』が18日に発表され、人気グループ・嵐がシングル、アルバム、ミュージックDVDの3部門で1位を獲得し、さらに、シングル、アルバム、ミュージックDVD、ミュージックBlu-ray Discの年間総売上金額が最も高いアーティストに贈られる『アーティストトータルセールス（ATS）』も144.6億円で初受賞し、史上初の“CD DVD4冠”を達成した。また、年間シングルTOP3の独占は、1978年のピンク・レディー、1988年の光GENJI以来、21年ぶり（史上3組目）で、2年連続での1位、2位独占、TOP5内4作同時ランクインはともに嵐が史上初となった。

　2008年の年間ランキングで嵐は、女性ロックバンドのプリンセス・プリンセス以来、19年ぶりの年間シングル1位、2位独占を果たしたが、今年はそれをさらに上回るTOP3を独占。1位から順に「Believe/曇りのち、快晴」（65.7 万枚・3月発売：櫻井翔主演映画『ヤッターマン』主題歌収録）、「明日の記憶/Crazy Moon～キミ・ハ・ムテキ～」（62.1万枚・5月発売：櫻井翔主演ドラマ『ザ・クイズショウ』主題歌を収録）、最新シングルで相葉雅紀主演ドラマ『マイガール』主題歌の「マイガール」（51.3万枚・11月発売）の3作で、それぞれがテレビや映画の主題歌となっており、今年1年の多方面での活躍ぶりが伺える。

　なお、ATSの2位は、2008年に同賞を初受賞したEXILE、3位は東方神起で、5位にはリマスター盤を発売したザ・ビートルズがランクインした。また、ベストアルバム『All the BEST！ 1999－2009』（143.3万枚・8月発売）で年間アルバムの1位、PV集『5×10 All the BEST！ CLIPS 1999－2009』（59.1万枚・10 月発売）とライブDVD『ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in TOKYO』（42.8万枚・3 月発売）で年間ミュージックDVD1位、2位も獲得。嵐にとって年間アルバム、ミュージックDVDの1位獲得はともに初の記録となった。ATSの初受賞を含め、2009年の音楽シーンを嵐が牽引したことが数々の記録で証明された。

　このほか、アルバム部門では、2位にMr.Childrenの『SUPERMARKET FANTASY』、3位にGReeeeNの『塩、コショウ』がランクイン。また、トップ10のうち4位、5位にはEXILEの『愛すべき未来へ』、『EXILE BALLAD BEST』の2作が登場した。

　2009年の音楽マーケットは、著名人の訃報を受けて、故人の作品にスポットがあたり関連作品が軒並みヒットしたのも印象的。マイケル・ジャクソンが生前に発表したベストアルバム『キング・オブ・ポップ －ジャパン・エディション』が週間ランキング2位まで上昇、アルバム『マイケル・ジャクソン THIS IS IT 』は初登場で首位を獲得するなど話題を振りまいた。忌野清志郎さんは遺作曲「Oh！ RADIO」も週間で最高5位を記録している。また、リマスター盤が世界同時発売されたザ・ビートルズは、アーティストトータルセールスで5位にランクインした。 source link

 

(this is mainly for my own amusement =] sorry to have post this again when so many people already did..) 

yep.. official site is up and running =]

it's actually rather simple.. though i wasnt really

expecting all that much anyways since it's just an

one time SP thing.. 8D

anyhows.. like how they always do it nowadays

there is a message board.. but that's pretty much all there is to it

oh and their pretty names.. haha

that's pretty much it XD

I'm like super duper tired, so this is gonna be short.

I went to Yonsei University today to have a look at my potential exchange school, and gosh the place is so beautiful! The campus looks like a Hogswarts castle with English-style buildings and rich greenary, complete with a maze-like garden. The only complaint I have is that the campus is situated on slopes and the Biz school is right at the top, so by the time I reached the building, I was panting hard.

The weather was really cold today. I wore like, four layers! The worst part were my hands...I bought gloves, but it wasn't enough. Sometimes I had to take my hands out from the gloves and within that few seconds, I can feel the chill already!

Samantha had told me that the Uni was at Sincheon station. So I took a train there, but when I looked at the neighbourhood map at the station, I couldn't find the Uni. It turned out that the station was Shinchon station instead! Fortunately, it was on the same line so I just continued taking the train along the line.

After Yonsei, I went to Myeongdong. It took me two transfers (once at City Hall station and once at Seoul station). I'm glad that it was relatively easy to understand the train lines and figure out where and how to transfer. This is one thing I prefer over Tokyo. The subway lines at Tokyo are too complicated, and as there are more than 1 operator, sometimes the transfer requires you to get out of the station and walk quite a bit to the station for the other operator. Here in Seoul, you just walk inside the station itself. However, it's quite strange that for some stations where the tracks for both directions are next to each other instead of separated by the platform, passengers have to pass through the ticket gantry on the correct side or they'll be unable to get onto the train towards the correct direction. Or maybe I just didn't look carefully for a passageway across. Also, the train map at the ticketing machines was so small! There was only one, and attached to a stan by the side of the machines. So, you have to crowd around that tiny map and squint to see the transfer stations etc.

I bought quite a lot of things at Myeongdong, and went into this idol shop. There were Japanese tourists inside and I heard the shopkeeper talking to them in Japanese. XD Demo, I couldn't find anything YB-related. Not even JGS-related! Not popular enough?

I had a few interesting encounters today:

1) I was buying train tickets at Samseung station to the Uni when this man at the machine next to mine asked me how to buy tickets to this particular station. In Korean. I guess it was because I was using the Korean interface for the machine that he mistook me as local. So, I just told him I can't speak Korean (in Korean, ironically) and decided to purchase tickets using the English interface in the future.

2) I was walking around Yonsei Uni when this student asked for directions. Again, I said I couldn't speak Korean.

3) The third incident happened at Myeongdong where I was browsing in this shop and the shopkeeper was really 'friendly'. He kept recommending me clothes that he feels match my style. I understood him, but I got tongue-tied for a response. So, when I made payment, he asked if I was a Korean. I said no, and he asked where I was from. Gosh, this is like the basics in Korean class, yet I got tongue-tied and just managed a weak "Singapore". Haha, he then smoothed my ego saying that I understood Korean good enough when I told him I could only understoof a bit of Korean. XD Nice shopkeeper! And when I paid him using the old 10k won notes, he was so amazed. O.O he was like "These are old money!" Are those very rare right now?

4) This totally dampened my mood. The last shop I visited was this shop selling Korean souvenirs and idol stuff. I grabbed two copies of this Korean magazines featuring SS501, and the shopkeeper immediately came with a basket and said, "You can put them in here." In Mandarin. I haven't even spoke a word! Does my appearance betray my ethnicity? And she had to follow me really closely throughout my stay in the shop! Argh!

Overall, Myeongdong is definitely worthed the hype. It's at least 3 times as huge an area as HK's Mongkok, and the human traffic flow at least 3 times as well. As most shops are selling winter goods, I didn't buy too much. But, imagine it being summer. With that large an area, it must be shopping paradise!

Off-topic, but I just finished watching Liar Game Season 2 ep 5. Hate the cliffhanger a the end! I have a feeling that that bespectacled guy betrayed Akiyama and Kanzaki. T.T