Math Test

I'm off to take my math test tomorrow in order to get into college.....I really hope I do well. I've been studying like crazy, and some japanese on the side to take a break from all the math. I won't have as much time to post things up because of all the paperwork that needs to be done afterwards, but I will keep you posted once I am done. I will try my best to get as many answers right!! AJA AJA, FIGHTING!!!>_<

Favorites

More favorites ^_^

Tokyo Boy

Release: February 2008

Alternate Title: Tokyo Shonen/東京少年

Minato (Maki Horikita) (the same girl that plays in Hana Kimi ^^), abandoned by her parents at a young age and staying with her grandmother, she is traumatized for life. To pass her time she writes to a pen pal named Night, a boy around her age. When she starts telling night that she is falling in love with a boy named Sho (Takuya Ishida), soon Sho starts avoiding her in the oddest ways. She doesn't know why this is happening, but she suspects that Night is behind this. In a lot of ways, this movie is definitely weird for a lot of reasons, but being "weird" is not such a bad thing. You actually get to understand everything once you go towards the end of the movie.

Virgin Snow

Alternative Title: Hatsuyuki no Koi

Release: January 2007

And awesome movie about two cultures coming together, this movie is about a young man named Min (played by the hot Lee Joon Ki o^_^o) who moves to Japan with his proffesor father. On an ordinary day, he goes to a shrine and meets the beautiful yet innocent Nanae. He falls for her right from the start, and also finds out that they go to the same school. There is the difficulty of the language barrier, but they work it out as best as they can. Or will they? You can't miss out on this movie. Plus who wouldn't want to see a movie with Lee Joon Ki in it?!?!

Holy Daddy

Alternative Title: 원탁의 천사Won-tak-eui Cheon-sa

An awesome movie featuring Lee Min Woo (from Shinhwa o^_^o) who misbehaves in everything, including school. From the start he had a bad relationship with his father who is in jail. Out of nowhere, his father dies the day before he is released from jail, but before he dies he wants to leave in peace and knowing that things will be better once he is gone. So his father, Kang YoungGue, is given one last chance to make things up with his son Kang WonTak (Lee Min Woo). Will it work out, or will his hard work to reunite with his son be of no use?

Kimi Ni Shika Kikoenai

Release Date: January 2007

Alternative Title: Calling You / きみにしか聞こえない / Only You Can Hear Me

Based on the popular novel "Calling You" by: Otsuichi, poor Aihara Ryo (Narumi Riko) is shy, quiet, and does not have any confidence in herself. Whenever she talks, the words just don't come out. Gradually, Ryo has gotten used to living life in silence as a lonely and introverted student. With no one to talk to, Ryo also has no need for a cell phone. Longing for friends to talk to, she creates a cell phone in her mind for imaginary phone conversations, and much to her surprise, one day Shinya (Koide Keisuke--> same guy in Cyborg Girl) picks up on the other side. For the first time in her life, Ryo has found someone she can talk to.

I swear to god, you HAVE to read the book first. The book gives you a better idea of what they are thinking about and clears up some things you may not catch in the movie. Plus it's an easy read, and its really not that long. The movie is also good, it does change a little bit from the book, but it's pretty much the same.

Nobody Knows

Release Date: January 2004

Alternative Title: 誰も知らない / Dare mo shiranai

Just as a heads up warning: if you watch this movie, watch something happy afterwards. Otherwise, it will be a sad day.

The title explains it all! Based on a true story, 2 brothers and sisters who all have a different father live in a small appartment. Early in the film, they are abandoned by their mother and left to fend for themselves. Having no schooling whatsoever, they have to depend on one another and friendly folks who are willing to help them, and the little bit of money their mother left for them. This is where their story starts! A journey nobody knows...

I just have one thing to say about this movie: I can't believe some people can live their lives doing this. REALLY?!?! What kind of parent does that without being ashamed of themselves? This movie made me soo mad!, but i guess things like this are bound to happen in the world we live in. Otherwise, watch this movie. It's a great one to discuss about as well. You can find out about what really happened here --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobody_Knows_(2004_film).

And you can find all of these in www.mysoju.com

Favorites

I'm just going to post some of my ultimate favorite movies. I figured most people (who have about the same taste of me at least) would like these. So, enjoy! ^_^o

200 POUNDS BEAUTY

Release: January 2006

Alternative Title: 미녀는 괴로워

A beautiful story about a background singer who is tired of being fat, and unappreciative. Even the man she loves doesn't notice her. So she goes under liposuction and plastic surgery. After her transformation, she looks absolutely gorgeous. Now its up to you to watch the rest. The reason I like this movie is because it's a lesson everyone should learn, and the story is so sweet. ^_^

DITTO*

Release Date: May 2000

This movie is known for its politics and cultural identities. It's a love story in the oddest ways. A high school boy and girl start talking to each other through a ham radio and learn about each other, even that they go to the same school. Although it takes them a while to notice that there is a time difference between them. This movie definitely is a watch!

Humming

Alternate Title: Heo-ming/허밍

Jun-seo is tired of the relationship he is in with Mi-yeon. But one day she is in an accident and falls into a coma. Then, unbelievably Mi-yeon visits him the next day just like any other ordinary day. He starts searching for other traces of Mi-yeon and realizes how much he loved her. Will he discover the love he has never realized, which has always existed close by him? This movie kinda made me cry....I'll admit, but it was kind of interesting because the didn't do any of that christian stuff. Atleast that's what I thought. It was natural, and simple.

Sad Movie

Release Date: 2005

Alternate Title: 새드무비

A movie about four relationships and what they go through wether it is love, pain, trials, etc. And in the end, they all connect in some way. All of the characters do grow in some way.

Stories---> 1: A 30 year old who wants to propose to his girlfriend, but misses the chance everytime. (By the way, his girlfriend is the girl that played the main role in "I'm A Cyborg But That's Ok".) 2: Suk-hyeon intends to break up with her jobless lover, Ha-seok, and he begins an agency that helps other lovers to break up. 3: Juyeong is mad at her son's troubles in school, but she realizes that she has little time to spend with him. 4: Su-eun, with a hearing impairment and a burn on her face, falls in her first love but she doesn't have the courage to come out in his presence. It doesn't take that long for this movie to get your attention.

The Worst Guy Ever*

Alternate Title: 내생애 최악의 남자

Release Date: January 2007

This movie definitely made me laugh and angry at the same time. I think as the viewer, you feel like you're part of the marriage too. And that's definitely a good thing. Sometimes you can see where this is going, but it still surprises you.

Ju Yeon and Seo Tae have been since they were 10 years old, but that soon ends once they sleep with each other. And for that, they decide to marry and spend their first days as husband and wife. But soon a sexy editor appears to seduce Seong Tae and an advertising director appears to tempt Ju Yeon. Will they be able to keep their marriage steady, or will it all fall apart? Find out!

Most of these movies you can find in www.mysoju.com, except for the ones that are marked with this --> * .

For 200 Pounds Beauty: http://www.mysoju.com/200-pounds-beauty/the-movie/part-1/

Humming: http://www.mysoju.com/humming/the-movie/part-1/

Sad Movie: http://www.mysoju.com/sad-movie/the-movie/part-1/

Ningyo Ouji

Release: 2003

Author/Artist: Yoshihara Yuki (よしはら ゆき)

This is a short collection of 3 stories. The first story is about a woman who falls in love with a man who is a mermaid (merman...). The second story (Kimi ni Okuru Hana wo Tsumu/
きみにおくるはなをつむ) is about a woman who's boyfriend died and now is taking over her managers body. The third one (Sekai wa Futari de Dekite Iru/せかいわふたりでできている) is about a sucubus who is feisting on a preist. Hmm....yummy. XD lol. All of them have some kind of lust to it, so watch out.

Definitely finished this in 30 minutes or less, but it was funny reading it. It really won't take that long. Have fun.!. ^_^o

Skype

I finally got SKYPE! Some friends of mine live outside the country, and it's really expensive to just call for 30 minutes >_<, so one of them told me about this Skype thing. 0^_^o (Thanks Flavia) Apparently, you can call someone or send txt messages for free. There are some things that you need to pay for, but it's kinda extra. I'm hoping Yvonne has this too so I can call her before she comes over here. (Lives in China, close to Beiging.) I haven't seen her for a long time now.
I am definitely taking advantage of this!!! O^_^o

I'm A Cyborg But That's Ok

Release: January 2006

Alternative Title: 싸이보그지만 괜찮아 / Saibogujiman kwenchana

It starts with Young goon, a young woman who thinks she is a robot. She does weird things like recharge herself with batteries, and put on her grandma's old dentures so she can talk to electrical machines. At the same time her health is starting to deteriorate, and her mother puts her into a mental health facility. There she meets other strange patients, as well as Il soon (played by Rain [Bi]) who is known to put on masks and being anti-social. He slowly starts a small romance with Young goon, but will she be there long enough to survive?

I personally liked this one because from the start its kind off strange and unusual. And it is unpredictable. Plus Rain is in it too, and who wouldn't want to see a movie featuring Rain? Haha. The cool thing about it: they showed this movie on TV which is surprising, because over here it's really hard to get asian shows/movies/dramas.

High School Graduation

It was a little sad to see everyone for the last time. There are some people that I will see later on because of graduation partys, but then that will also be another "last time". In the graduation, that was the last time I saw Mr. Liu (my orchestra teacher) and most of my badminton friends (Jessica Hsu, Faye Yao --> I'll miss you guys.Let's go to SixFlags this summer o^^o), and my classmates too (Edi Bouldor [write to us when you go back to Romania dork], Ruby Williams [don't get too drunk]). But I know that there is more to come. I will definitely have some good (and bad) memories of high school that I will not forget. And who knows, instead of my friends being the exchange students maybe I'll become the exchange student in college for Japan, or some other place.

Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Si-Do

Release: January 2008

Artist/Author: Lee Gyung Ha, Gui Yeoni

When I found this manga(manhwa), I couldn't believe it!!! I saw the movie and it was pretty good. Not too many controversial topics, but it was sweet....and I have to admint, it made me cry.
The story centers around a heroin Jung-won who has a job at an amusement park, wearing a dragon suit. It doesn't take long for her to pour soda on Eun kyoo for taunting her.
A short while later, she learns that Eun kyoo has moved to the house next to hers. He blackmails her that he will tell her parents that she works at an amusement, and makes her carry his guitar for a week. At the same time, both of them are starting to like each other, but another party soon joins them. This really does have the oddest twist and turns, but the ending is great.
The movie is about the same too. I mean there is always that discussion of if the movie is better or the book was better, but in this case both of them are pretty much the same.

You can also find this movie in mysoju.com

Korean Cast: Eun Lee, Geun Seok Jang, Hye Ok Kim, Ju Hwan Im, Min Ji Park, Ui Cheol Jeong, Ye Ryeon Cha

Cyborg Girl

Alternate Title: Cyborg She / 僕の彼女はサイボーグ/ Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg / 我的女友是机器人

Release: November 2008

One of my favorite science-fiction movies, this story is about a man who meets a peculiar girl on the day of his birthday, but quickly dissapears. One year later, she appears on his birthday again but this time is different. She seems more, like a cyborg. Why is she so different from before? Is that really her? And where did she go?

Find out by clicking the title.

Attack On The Pin-Up Boys

Alternative Title: Flower Boys

Release: January 2007

A hilarious movie featuring Super Junior set in high school. Someone has attacked one of the heartthrobs in the school, Ye Sung and Han Geng. Now people think the next attack will be in Neulparan High School, targeting another group of heartthrobes whom are on the most likely candidate list. Nobody knows who it will be, but the suspense is funny to watch.
It will make you laugh, and cringe in disgust. You'll be talking about it even after it is over! Have fun. :)

Proposal Daisakusen

Alternative Title: Operation Love / プロポーズ大作戦

Release: April 2007

A short drama of 11 episodes about a man (Iwase Ken) who always liked his classmate Yoshida Rei, but never told her. Now he is standing at their wedding reception thinking if only he can redo things once more. Luckily, an angel lives in the church where the reception is held and decides on helping Ken-san for a second chance in the life of love and happiness. Will he get the woman he has always loved? Find out!
Definitely recommend this one: it was funny, unexpecting ending, and just wanting to watch it all in one day.

Koi

Release Date: 1993

Artist/Author: Okazaki Takeshi & Ohkawa Ageha (Clamp)

A sweet collection of bittersweet and unrequited love. It brings up questions such as: why do people get rejected? how come it is so hard to confess your feelings? how do you get your revenge?. The first story starts out with no dialogue, and from there it moves from one character to another with each one of them having a relation to the other.

I thought it was pretty good considering the artistic techniques, and typical yet at the same time not so typical events of life. It goes 180 degrees in every aspect.

Click on title for manga.

Turning Japanese

Release Date: April 14, 2009

Author: Cathy Yardley

One of the coolest books that I am reading right now. It's a catcher from the start (atleast for me it was because I really am into Japanese culture and manga), and keeps you going throughout the book. Here is the book description from the back cover=

"Meet Lisa Falloya, an aspiring half-Japanese-,half-Italian-American manga artist who follows her bliss by winning an intership and moving to Tokyo to draw the Japanese-style comics she's been reading for years. Leaving behind the comforts of a humdrum desk job and her workaholic fiance, Lisa has everything planned--right down to living wither a nice Japanese family--but hasn't taken into account that being part-Asian and highly enthusiastic isn't going to cut it. Faced with an exacting boss and a conniving "big fish"manga author, Lisa risks her wedding, her friends, and her fears--al for a shot at making it big."

I've already taken this book from the library and reading myself right now. I'm not providing a link to this because, this really should be promoted more (and if there's a library, you can go there too). I hope you enjoy it! ^_^0

Although......*being mischevious*...if you click on the link, you'll find a surprise if you want to view it before buying it! :D

LiveMocha

Lately, I've been trying to find some good sites that teach you a different language without you having to pay for it. And let me tell you, it is NOT easy. But luckly I fount LiveMocha ! Here it gives you free lessons, and if you want to pay, the lessons are extended and obviously you get much more. Plus they recommend you some friends that are possibly learning the same language as you, or speaks your language and the one you are learning and is learning something else....the varieties go on and on.

It's pretty safe, and you also get help from others to improve on whatever language you are working on. I definitely recommend this to everyone and anyone! (Click on the title to go to this site.)

Then there is the Human Japanese program, which if you want to learn japanese then this is a great program. Yes you do have to pay for it, but the great thing about it --> the site gives you the opportunity to download a free trial. That way you know where your 30 dollars are going unlike other programs where you can only open after you pay for it...=_= And if you don't like it, well don't get it. Some of the features it holds is both Katakana and Hiragana, some cultural pages (cool/interesting facts) about Japan (to give your brain a little break from all that studying), review quizzes and games with neat pictures on the background to catch your attention more, an instant search on the side if you forget any meanings, recordings for ALL vocab and dialogues, and some smaller details that you'll notice once you download the trial.

Although, the wesite itself DOES NOT have a link for purchasing because they want to ensure that you like the product and be satisfied. You have to download the free trial and there you will find a link.

Totally Captivated

Release Date: 2005

Author/Artist: Yoo Ha Jin

The mafia threatens Ewon into working for a loan shark, where he's forced to run dangerous errands for no pay. The culprit who doomed Ewon to this life is none other than Jiho, Ewon's jealous ex who still burns at Ewon's infidelity. Their gang leader Mookyul, with movie-star good looks and the bizarre, drunken habit of biting people on the neck, takes a keen interest in his attractive new errand boy. Will Ewon be able to survive the violent underworld (not to mention the constant sexual harassment he must endure) as an underling of Mookyul? This funny, hip title by Hajin Yoo will thrill and amuse fans with plenty of intense shounen-ai action.

This series is completed! How amazing is that?!

Source:boxmanga.com

Sugar Pot

Saho works at her parents Cafe and at the same time has fallen in love with a regular customer there named Kagami, who happens to be a writter. While being surrounded by other lovely waitresses there, she is determined to confess her feelings to him and make a working relationship. How will this turn out?
Another manga that I have started reading...it's pretty good for what it has right now, which is the innocent girl fallen over heels with a boy. The site still hasn't posted more, but you shouldn't wait to long.
Release: 2004
Author: Takasuka Yue
Click on the title to read this manga!

Nobody Knows

Release: January

Alternative Titles: 誰も知らない / Dare mo shiranai

This is one heck of a movie to watch! First of all, I thought the plotting was really good, although the ending seemed like it wasn't an ending. (Just heads up!) But man, it made me feel so bad...sometimes this world really is screwed up!
The story centers around two brothers and sisters who live with their mother in a small apartment complex, but later the mother doesn't return from her 'work', and the kids have to fend for themselves. It is seen from the older brothers point of view, and sometimes people come up in their lives (atleast what is shown in the movie).
It has some really good establishing shots and you really get wrapped up in their lives because it films small details of their lives. One thing I would recommend doing (after you watch this movie), is see something more upbeat. Lol, that's what I did anyway...

Chiyou yo Hana yo

Release: 2006
Author/Artist: Yoshihara Yuki
So this is the manga that I am currently reading right now. It's pretty good, but it is kinda slow since you have to load every page in this website.
It's about this girl that used to be rich but then she looses all that money due to the carelesness of her father, and now she actually has to have a normal life. (Don't worry thou, she's not stuck-up.) So then she applies for a job (since she needs one), and is asked if she is a virgin. ! . ! . Meanwhile, a servant that used to work for her when her family was wealthy is now her uptight boss. And things work themselves out from there.
The manga is farely recent, and the artwork is amazing. The site hasn't finished posting up the whole series, but I wouldn't worry about that unless you're REALLY into it... In that case, I don't know what to tell you. ^_^;

READ! :D
You can access the book by clicking the title.