SMTOWN WORLD TOUR 2010. <3 And so we begin~ Yes I went alone to a k-pop concert. I couldn’t deny myself Super Junior just because no one else in my immediate circle of friends appreciates the saccharine sweet melodies in a language they can’t understand. So I trekked my happy ass down to LA to experience my first and last Staples Center experience. I figured I’d attend the supposed largest k-pop fan meet up “Koreaboo”, before the show to strike up a nice convo with some people, find a buddy. I’m a pretty social person it shouldn’t be hard right? So I stand in the enormous line to get in the place… look around and what do I see? I see a sea. A sea of god damned children. Fluck. I can’t believe I neglected to foresee their target market. So I wait. Finally I get into the room where there are tables of fan made t’s and posters, but alas still a sea of high school kids running around trying to get their grubby hands on balloons and glowsticks. (I brought my own). By now it’s only 3 and the show starts at 7. I’m over Koreaboo, without a buddy, down in the cuts at Staple Center what does this mean!? Happy hour. I walk around the place probably five times trying to find a reasonably priced spot and end up at Flemmings, which by the way is still not that reasonable for happy hour. Fast forward multiple drinks and an app later it’s K POPPALOOZA time. FLUCK again the line is bullshit long! There’s no way I was going to stand in that so I walked straight up to the lady in charge of VIP and said, “ I know I don’t have a VIP ticket, but I’m twice these kids age and I really love Super Junior and I spent way too much money on these tickets and I’m here all by myself.” Something must have struck a cord because I tra la la-ed right on through that VIP door like I had spent an extra hundo on this ordeal→then b lined it to the bar. What? There was no line… everyone was 16. Drink in hand I’m running to my seat and actually never end up in it. Holy hell there are so many people and the stage is like a landing pad. Talk about an epic concert of retarded proportions. So it starts and honestly… I only went for Super Junior and Shinee meaning I really could give two shits about everyone else so I’m not even going to mention them. SUPER JUNIOR COMES OUTTTTTT← so stoked. I’m looking around, WTF why is everyone sitting down? I’ll be damned if I don’t do the Sorry Sorry dance. I somehow got to sit in a row of official chairs between two sections so I had room to stand up and dance around without bothering anyone, or so I thought, until I felt something on my shoulder, looked down on the ground and noticed rolled up gum wrappers that had been catapulted at me from afar. Little bastards were trying to get me to sit down with the masses! RUDE. I complied however because I’m like that. For some reason I left and met this a tech guy who let me watch the show in the trailers where they were doing the show in 3d for television. It was like Siwon was right in front of me… well he was when I was actually at the concert, anyway. That was tight. I also went to the after party where no one was dancing and Super Junior was in VIP VIP extra security section. Seriously what’s the deal? Why was I the only one ready to rage it up to Shining Star Like a Little Diamond? Aye…All in all I treated myself and was treated well. I need to move to South Korea like now status.

Crashing burning train wrecks of hilarity.   It’s times like these that I thank the lord for tevo. We’re talking  American Idol auditions people. The show has already set out across the country to capture our most coveted moments on tape where new pop culture icons will be born and die all in the same breathe. I’m sure you’re all counting down the days.

But I’ve got a bone to pick with the former products we’ve churned out so far. I’m feeling a lack of epic intensity that I feel someone who’s donned the title of an idol should hold.  Actually, Adam FLambert is pretty ridiculous in a pretty fabulous way because glitter and platforms my friends will get you far no matter who you are.   Let’s take a step over here to the right and observe the Korean Idols I put on blast like… all the time. They’ve got their image on lock. Song/Dance/Act/Heart Throb/ beastly fashion sense = IDOL. Can I just emphasis style in this equation please. For us American’s, throw in a sappy story and you’ve got yourself a winner. In fact, I think I’ve found one.. sans the Korean part.

Usually I don’t make it past the preliminary rounds, but this season, American Idol’s got my full attention from start until…when my friend finishes. Leng Phe, aka Phé La Roc, will be a contender in this madness! Instead of me blabbing about how amazing he is, I’ll prompt and let him do the talking.

Leng, see I told you I’d follow through with an interview now let’s enlighten the folks with a stream of obvious questions first then get to the nitty gritty:

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Nationality: Chinese/Cambodian-American

Relationship Status: SINGLE!

Blood type: B Positive

Birthday: August 23, 1986

Words to Live By: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us” – Ralph Emerson

Things are looking hectic for you in these next two weeks. You’ve got your American Idol audition August 19^th in SF and then you’re moving back to your old stomping grounds (Seattle) the next day. Lot’s of prepping, packing and partying to be had I’m sure. How are you going to spend your last two weeks in Cali?

Other than what you have mentioned, I’m squeezing in as much time as possible with a vocal instructor I’ve been seeing for the last 2 months, and piano lessons which I’ve started recently also.  Not just preparing to move back home, but preparing for the competition.  You really have to be entertaining on a huge reality TV show like American Idol, and so I’m studying successful performances, researching the songs I’d like to sing, studying body movements, and really making myself a student all over again.  Then accepting there’s the hard truth that although I feel I am capable of being a finalist, I may not be what they are looking for.

I refuse to believe the truth.

Anyway, when we first met, you were Leng Phe, student, b-boy, Now you’re, Phé La Roc formerly known as Leng Phe, graduate, b-boy, pianist, singer. I didn’t know you were pulling out all the stops.  What I do know is b-boying takes a big chunk of your life, seeing how you’re in two crews, Business Time and Art of Movement. What got you started, who got you inspired, why do you keep going, etc..

It took me a while to realize what I stand for, represent, and to be brave enough to actually declare it to people.  If you’re not going to believe in yourself, who will right?  I literally transformed from not believing in myself at all, to believing in myself, to having other people believe in me but I thought they were lying, to really believing and trusting.

There were plenty of really bad influences around me growing up, and with bboying I found a good niche to where I could stay out of trouble and be cool simultaneously.  My good friend Robert Sayamongkhoumn was a young bboy when I met him and he really sparked a desire in me to improve.  I joined the military fresh out of high school and was stationed in Northern California and met one of my good friends Donovan Demerin who began to school me up.  My inspirations would include Skill Methodz Crew, Boogie Brats, Massive Monkees, and of course Art of Movement (Seattle, WA) and Business Time Crew (Davis, CA).   I’ll be battling more frequently with Art of Movement since I’ll be back home, but will occasionally come back to Northern California to rip it with the family/crew I have out here.

What’s the deal with Phé La Roc? I get the passion of an artist, but out of “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol” why would you choose “American Idol”?  Haven’t you been dancing longer than you’ve been singing? or are you doing both…

Phé La Roc, or Phé is the entertainer who is not the best at his crafts, but working quite diligently towards it.  Why “American Idol” over “So You Think You Can Dance”?  Simply because my singing moves people more than my dance.  Right now, I just want to get my name out there and to build a fan base.

Last year was Mr Hyhpen, ( A show case to break the stereotypes of Asian American Men… also known as man pageant) where I had the pleasure of witnessing your sexay rendition of Marvin Gaye’s, “Let’s Get It On”. I think every 16 year old girl had their phone out snapping pictures.  Seriously, these little ladies were wooed. Is that your plan of attack for American Idol to capture the “Twilight” female audience?(I understand if you don’t want to give up your strategy so omit this question if you want. )

*More importantly, at the Hyphen event, you were representing an organization called “Tiny Toones Cambodia”.  ( Here’s where we insert America’s heartwarming sap story for success).

I remember you (Brett Barletta) with your phone snapping pictures also (hahaha just kidding).  The strategy at the moment is to be prepared for the next challenge as much as possible.  Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and so I have to train and prep.  If I could honestly capture the “Twilight” audience, this competition would be in the bag.

The non-profit organization I was representing at the event was Tiny Toones Cambodia.  They use arts (specifically break dancing) along with further education and awareness programs to empower the Cambodian youth to lead healthier, enriched lives.  I visited Tiny Toones in early 2009 on part of what was supposed to be a soul-searching trip.  It was after getting to dance with them that I knew I wanted to be involved with this organization.  The day I left, one of the youth grabbed my left hand with both his hands, and looked at me directly in the eyes while asking sincerely in Cambodian, “Elder brother, when will we see you again?”  It was one of the most memorable, powerful, touching, and enlightening experiences to ever happen to me.  I was in the military at the time and so I thought that being a man meant being tough all the way down to the core, and it was crazy that that one moment completely redefined what it meant to be a man.

Speaking of Cambodia, I understand there are some exciting upcoming travel plans in your future.  Korea??? Veitnam?! Cambodia? Jealz…  What will you be doing over seas? What are you bringing me back?

I will be visiting South Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In Korea,  I will be spending some time with Art of Movement in Seoul before they go on an Asia tour.  Later on, I’ll  be hosting and escorting a couple dancers from Full Circle Initiative based in San Francisco.  They will be working with Tiny Toones youth on their visit while absorbing the culture.  My very good middle school friend lives in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, so I will be visiting him.  I will bring back a worthy present and a worthy hug for Ms. Barletta.

Thanks Leng. Godspeed my friend.

There you have it. Singer, Dancer, Heartthrob,  Fresh ta Def Leng Phe the new American Idol. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and I’ll keep you posted. Oh and feel free to add him on fb… he adds anybody.

Ah yes, a vomit of photoshop, target marketing to the max, poor product placement, celebrity sponsorship, fashion forward bleh and an obligatory sexual overtone. Whoever Maeil Café Late Americano Dutch hired to roll out this spread was a douche. Suure, I like to wear sheer veils, undress my ridiculously ripped body, and wipe my brow with my favorite coffee brand… but this is just too much. From a business standpoint it’s slightly annoying that people in my field can crank out concepts that miss the mark entirely. From a consumer standpoint I think it’s fucking hilarious that ad agencies think people will buy this shit based off their crappy ads. On the other hand, it also saddens me that people actually buy this shit based off their crappy ads.  I keep looking at these pictures thinking to myself, maybe I’m being too critical, but no, they really are ridiculous.

* 20 minutes later- After further review of  2AM’s sultry coffee editorial, I’ve decided ridiculous means fucking awesome.

Fail to Americano Dutch and their brainstorming sesh, win to my amusement and sexual coffee fantasies.

]]> http://ponitales.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/coffee-and-six-packs/feed/ 0 deathylee Meh No comment... Meh pt 3 A Peter Fever pose, except he's fully clothed. Twilight Is that you Jinwoon? Meh pt 2 *sigh Uninspired Pigment Sweat *My FAVORITE* I don't get it Who drinks coffee out of a straw? WTF product placement Little Miss Muppet Strike Sophisticated Funk It's just so hot Azn Bulge Abs n Caffine Oh wait, let me lift my shirt up higher Tra la la So real http://ponitales.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/fi-fy-fo-furniture/ http://ponitales.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/fi-fy-fo-furniture/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:25:22 +0000 deathylee http://ponitales.wordpress.com/?p=164 ]]>

Get hyped!! Get stoked!! Yeaaaauh we’re talking about… furniture? My thoughts exactly (-.-).  Furniture doesn’t usually ruffle my feathers in the least, but this week was/ still is Vegas’ annual World Market Convention trade show.  It’s huge with 3, sixteen floor buildings chuck full of home furnishings. They’ve got lights, mirrors, couches, mattresses, bedroom sets, dividers, patio furniture, open bars, free lunches, moist towelettes, the whole shebang. The time and money these people spend is ridiculous, but it makes the experience of walking the never ending building worth it. Shit is exhausting and after an hour I was sampling every couch I passed. Gotta love the tradeshow perks though. A plethora of bags, booze, and my favorite— a mini chair replica of a famous design pretty much all the contemporary designers were showing  artistically borrowed from Kartell. (It reminds me of the last k drama I’d watched, “Personal Taste”, where Ga In designed a miniature chair and gave it to Jin Ho as a gift. He wins the big architectural  contest because of her, they fall in love. the end). korean tangent done.

I have to say, after all is said and done I definitely have a new appreciation for the simple recliner. Anyway, I saw a looooot of furniture, but picked a few of my personal favorites for your viewing pleasure so enjoy!

* I’ll post who’s who later.

* No I won’t.

Internet dating. Don’t lie I know you’ve looked around, signed up on a site or two… casual encounters? If anything  you’ve creeped on people’s facebooks and that counts  my friend; searching for prospects on a friend’s of a friend’s boyfriend’s page counts.  But what I bring you is far more exciting and exotic than facebook/match/craigslist (the dregs of society)/friendfinder/ zoosk/ okcupid- I admit I’ve tried them all T.T… What I bring you are men and women from far off seas (occasionally in your back yard). I bring you, KOREAN CUPID! BAM. This site is bomb—for those of you who have a “type”. I like to use their group chat and feel 14 again a/s/l –ing  like it’s nobodies business. The only downside is half the people you actually talk to don’t speak English so taking it to the next level is kind of hard. I guess all in all this site is pretty much a tease unless you’re willing to relocate or use google translate as your bible. As far as entertainment goes, it’s still my #1. Words of warning:  Watch out for giving out the diggies, you might end up with someone repeatedly blowing up your phone like… 9 times in a row at different times of the day, leaving messages you can’t understand. I think this word of warning goes for any dating site though.

Lately everyone seems to be trying to find love online, it’s like window shopping so why the hell not? Which ones have you tried? What’s worked? I mean… really though has it worked?

In order of appearance: My Home Away From Home, Café Gratitude, Shitty Fam, Graffiti, Gross, A Farewell, and words to live by.

Ahem. The bay area is full of wondrous happenings and it just so happens two good friends came into the city over the weekend.  I’m on a health kick so I took them to a raw food spot on Harrison and 22^nd in the Mission. I’m talking uncooked food here, meaning vegetarian options only( beans/rice/quinoa/ and the couscous are cooked however). I’m probably missing other items, I don’t know the rules, but it’s cute because everything on the menu’s titled things like “ I am Blissful”, “ I am Elated”, “ I am blah blah”, etc.  They get + 10 for the positivity. Anyway, I remember this place being better for some reason, which was a bummer, BUT if you do go you HAVE TO GET THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE. I think I took about five minutes to finish each teaspoon just to savor each heavenly bite. Shit was legit.

The graffiti photos are from an even in Precita Park where Urban Arts Youth put up 2,000 ft of space—free paint included—for anyone with any sort of talent to paint on. I’m talking any talent. I omitted the walls with no talent. There was free food too, but I’m not that trusting with San Francisco public.

I don’t know about you, but family can suck it sometimes. When it comes to money it’s all sorts of chaos and this is what I’m gathering from those signs.

The rest is not that important.

* note: I got my ticket for SM Town World Tour in La. Who’s STOKED!?!?!? <—- me ^.^

Tiesto. I can’t even get half way through his name before people are spewing words such as : douche, shitfest, unce unce. It’s ok, I get it. Trance itself isn’t for everyone in the electronic community and Tiesto has definitely distanced himself from trance listeners throughout the years. That’s what happens when you become one of the TOP TEN  DJ’s in the world ( I’d say # 1, but I’m sure a handful of you would beg to differ).  Appealing to the masses has its consequences and in his last album, Kaleidoscope, he paired up with Tegan and Sara mixing it up with some electro, which has pretty much taken over.  That went over well with the hipster crowd (now they know who Tiesto is and are probably poppin pills to Crystal Castles). But what the hell Tijs, you’re not helping the situation when you release absolute fucking bullshit with Three Six Mafia or pulling this new little stunt by releasing 5 new tracks with the purchase of a SanDisk memory card for your phone? Apparently SanDisk is the global leader in flash memory cards and their mission in this marketing ploy is to arm Tiesto fans with these cards for his shows. Ideally, the purchasers/saps would be recording live footage via their camera phones on one of the exclusive tracks Tiesto had released for this campaign. Once you’ve got your shaky video captured, load it onto http://www.wakeupyourphone.com/tiesto and Tiesto will pick his favorite clips for the video. If your phone doesn’t come with a camera (like mine T.T), you’re shit out of luck. It’s no wonder he’s such a mega DJ, he’s playing the game. Marketing bitch ass to the max. I’d buy a lunch box though.

* Note: When the rumor of his death floated around the internet at 1:00am in the morning, my sister called me up to break the news.  I cried. Yes… I did.

BEG -어쩌다… or something?

I’m backtracking… is that allowed? I didn’t get to express the bullshit that was the T-pain/Brown Eyed Girls/ Bruno Mars concert at Bill Graham in SF a couple months ago. I’ll cut to the chase and just tell you that Brown Eyed Girls only sang about 4 songs. It was the quickest set I’ve ever experienced. Huge let down… not as big of a let down as Bad Brains, an old school punk/reggae band, but that’s an entirely different story that involves a misdemeanor.

ATB- You’re Not Alone Remix

ATB- You\’re Not Alone original

I know this is old, but I still can’t get over how AMAZING IT IS that my two favorite types of music are fused in Super Junior’s “Monster”. Trance and K-Pop? Get outtttt. The original song, “You’re Not Alone” is by ATB and is pretty much a trance anthem so when I heard Super Junior’s “Monster” I was pretty much floored and just about ready to bust out my glowsticks… even though it’s a ballad? My favorite remains ATB’s remix; still gets me every time. So if no one else creates a crossbreed of these two heavenly genres, I’ll just have to do it myself. Happy hardcore k-pop remixes FTW!