Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Wow!

I went to see this movie today and it was awesome on so many levels!

Mind you, I'm a fan of the book series - I find Jeff Kinney's writing fully encapsulates the trials, traumas and tribulations of being a pre-teen. His cute and funny protagonist, Greg Heffley is more socially aware of his surroundings than his peers, but for whatever reason, his understanding, intellect and rationale on how things SHOULD work never transpires into how things actually work.
And that's what makes Greg so endearing.

The reader is encouraged to like Greg, even root for him to succeed...maybe even identify with his frustrations and experiences.

And I think that's why the books and movie are so good.

The issue of trying to fit in and find yourself in a school of people all trying to do the same thing is something everyone goes through in their lifetime. And instead of cringing at our past embarrassing memories during this awkward phase, Greg Heffley allows us to laugh at ourselves. We can say "Been there...done that..survived..and now, look where I am"

That's why I love Greg Heffley and the Wimpy Kid series.

Even though I'm in my adult life now, I still feel like the Wimpy Kid. Whether I'm in my first meeting with the BC Lions discussing how to build a football stadium (still have no idea), having lunch with my boss (while trying not to spill all over myself) or worrying when I'll get married (what?!), I'm still going through those awkward stages where I'm unsure of myself. It's just like when I first started high school but in a different setting with different people. Even if I do get through these awkward stages of my adult life, there'll be other new moments and I'll embrace each moment as The Wimpy Kid. Because what that really means to me, is that I'm living life for all it's worth and I possess the willingness to try and discover new things no matter how uncertain it is. Embracing the Wimp means that I'm not the kind of person that will just be content with what's safe, that i'd rather put myself out there because the reward for this effort is just too great. If we only have but one life to live, why shouldn't I live it to the fullest?
I love being the Wimpy Kid :)

So, all in all.... please watch the movie. You'll enjoy it. i promise.



Useless fact: the movie was filmed in Vancouver!! i spent a lot of time trying to figure out Vancouver landmarks. The middle school where a lot of the scenes were filmed was Templeton Secondary in East Van.

secret #1

I Love Teddy Park

Hands down, this man is my all-time favourite song writer/producer.

Currently, I'm in love with Taeyang's new single "Wedding Dress".



It's such a good song - the lyrics, vocals, arrangements... oh, it's got me hooked. And so my curiousity gets the best of me (which it always usually does) and I decided to search who wrote the song.

Search Results: Teddy Park

This man just makes songs that I love!
Teddy Park started his music career by joining YG Entertainment where he became the leader and lead rapper for hip-hop group, 1TYM. Since his 1998 debut with the group, Teddy went on to produce some of South Korea's hottest music, ultimately being partly responsible for the success of his home company and their respective artists. In a recent interview, Teddy says this his producing skills are an outcome of a very conceptual process. When he's creating songs, he takes all things into consideration: the song's melody, beats and instrumentals; the vocals; the lyrics; the arrangement; how the artist should be styled; what the choreography, video and album jacket will look like... everything. For this reason, he only works with artists he knows well hence, the reason why he turned down Lady Gaga's request for his musical services.


Sorry Gaga.. Maybe next time

He started slowly... contributing as a lyricist on 1TYM's debut album: 1TYM: One Time For Your Mind. He started taking more control for their sophomore album and in the process created my favourite song of all-time (this includes all languages and genres) One Love



After 1TYM's 2nd Round album, Teddy went on to produce the rest of 1TYM's albums.

My favourite from their third album - Nasty



Favourite from their fourth album - Hot Ddeu Guh (It's Hot)



Favourite from their last album - Can't Let You Go



Although their released song, Ni Gah Nahl Ahl Ah (Do You Know Me?) is pretty dope too. This song is awesome in the car



Alas, due to 1TYM member Oh JinHwan's mandatory military service, 1TYM went on a hiatus and has not been back since. There were rumours that they were gonne be back last year since it would have been their 10th anniversary since their debut but we have yet to seen said album.

So that's Teddy's work for 1TYM.

So good right??

Here's a look at other favourite tracks from him

Se7en - La La La
This is my second favourite song of all time. It's soooo good and the lyrics are freaking sweet. Apparently, La La La was the turning point for Teddy the producer, as he finally figured out his formula to music making


Se7en is hot in this video. Was never a fan of lips on guys but his are so luscious looking. If I were single.... and met him again and oh baby, I am kissing those lips for sure!

Taeyang - Nah Mahn Bwa Ra Bah (Only Look At Me)
This guy looks like my brother... for serious



Taeyang - Gi Do (Prayer)
Teddy's featured here! He says that whenever he feels the need to be a rapper again, he just makes himself a featured guest in someone's song... haha



Taeyang - Where U At
I know, a lot of Taeyang stuff.... but the pairing of Teddy as the producer and Taeyang as the singer works the best here. Teddy's also featured in this one too - has the best line and is seen tossing an apple! I Love Apples! He looks hot in a suit. This song is a new one - currently my ringtone too ;) (i know how dorky that sounds especially since I'm nearing 26 years old and all :/)



Park Bom - You and I
My boyfriend likes this song but I think it's mostly because he thinks she's freaking cute and loves her voice. This one's a new song too



2NE1 - I Don't Care
Park Bom is the lead singer from girl group, 2NE1. Love these girls! So much spunk and by far the most talented from all the other girl idol groups that are taking over Korea at the moment



I can't think of anymore..

but you get the idea...
Teddy's one talented guy and I think the only way the Western world will hear his music is IF Se7en attempts at trying in the States again and Teddy gets to be a part of the production process. I really hope this happens. A talent like Teddy's deserves proper recognition

Vancouver International Film Festival - Film #1: Where Are You

So I went to my first film from this year's line-up and saw Where Are You

Basic synopsis: Ryo is a poor boy living in a single room shack in Japan. His mother is sick and on her death bed while his father has abandoned the two of them awhile ago. After getting fired from his part-time job at a local convenience store and facing hospital bills and funeral costs for his mother, Ryo resorts to stealing as a means to survive in Japan.

This was a depressing film, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Throughout the entire movie, there is no hope at all for the main character; everything about him and his situation is tragic. The director, Kobayashi Masahiro, has a great directing style - from the simplest scenes of Ryo scarfing down a bowl of instant noodles to Ryo sitting on a bench with his head down at the hospital - the director is able to show his audience exactly who Ryo is and dark world he faces at a very young age. The script, with its minimal lines, is very fitting for the film and may even strengthen the overall mood and tone of the storyline; the audience always knows what's going on. The script really helps to articulate just how lonely Ryo's life. While Where Are You? doesn't necessarily pull at the heart strings (I wasn't balling my eyes out and I'm a huge crybaby when it comes to sad dramas), it left me feeling very sad and depressed that such situations do occur for some children.

Overall, a good movie. Probably wouldn't see it again though... it's just too heavy for the heart and mind.

Zombieland #1 in Its Opening Weekend

Zombieland, starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone, finally opened in theatres this past weekend and went on to take the box office for its opening weekend.

With a relatively small production budget of $23.6 million, Zombieland already made back its money by taking in $24, 733, 155 in the North American market. With Halloween just around the corner and movie-goer buzz surrounding this movie, it should have no problem making a nice tidy profit for its producers.

Interesting thing to note: Not since the ScaryMovie trilogy has a horror-comedy film opened at #1.

And Zombieland isn't even a spoof movie - it's just straight up fun.

So if you haven't seen it yet, or are unsure if you want to watch it.... just do yourself a favour and watch it.

Awesome Cover

For as long as I can remember, I've always been a huge fan of KPop.
When I was younger, my obsession for Kpop was so severe that when my mom rented me music shows from the Korean video store, I would convince my sister to mimic kpop's biggest stars with me. We used to dance and sing along to some of Korea's biggest musical acts - Roo'Ra, DJ Doc, Deux, Park Jin Young (before he became a super producer and wore plastic pants as part of his costume)... the list goes on...
Throughout my teenage years, the internet nursed this obsession as I found fellow Kpop fans from around the world. Not only was I getting the latest music from South Korea, but I was also interacting with people who knew why it was so dope to hear 1TYM's preview tracks even before the CD was released. I was a frequent forum visitor and would spend nights on end browsing through forums and sharing media files. I read people's fanfics and commented on them as I daydreamed about being Fly To The Sky's Brian Joo's girlfriend (hey, we're only two years apart and him being a Korean-American diminishes any communication/cultural barriers)

I was a Kpop geek... a die-hard fan... even my email address/instant messaging ID had the initials of my favourite Korean star (What up Yoo Seung Jun)

But as I've gotten older, I find that it more difficult to keep up to date with my beloved Kpop.

I don't belong to any forums. I don't rent music shows from the video store. I stopped buying CDs. I even stopped daydreaming about Korean stars...

Which ultimately sucks.

Because Kpop is unlike any other music.

Which is why I guess I try to still stay in touch with my favourite source of popular culture. My interest in Kpop helped to stir an interest in media and its influence on our society and encouraged me to study it to a greater extent in school. Even though it's harder for me now (primarily cause I'm an adult and I have a real life to tend to), I can't turn my back on the one thing that have consistently made me happy in my life.

That being said...

I found this awesome cover of G-Dragon's 'Heartbreaker' by this white guy.

This is the original MV.
(FYI: G-Dragon, real name Kwon Ji Yong (hey! we share a last name!) is the leader of Korean boy band, Big Bang. He's been wth YG Entertainment since he got into Yang Hyun Suk's car back in 2001 - A-Yo!)





Yeah, people think he looks like a Korean version of Lady Gaga. But the song's really catchy


This is the awesome cover




He freaking rocks. I love how the hallyu movement reaches beyond Korea and Koreans. It excites me that globalization allows others to enjoy the same music that I absolutely love.

I love NPH

So as I was just wasting time at work and browsing the world wide web when I came upon this story:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i04299584a9f4430c65e24d7c8b956c82

Apparently, CBS is close to signing him on to host the Emmys this year

I love Neil Patrick Harris.

I love How I Met Your Mother. (You should really watch it if you haven't done so already)

I love his cameo in the Harold and Kumar series.

I think he'll do a great job and hopefully, entice more viewers to HIMYM.