MJ’s Glove Moves to Macau

[Flickr/OptionThis]

Wanna see The Glove (yes, the very glove that MJ wore in 1983 when he did the Moonwalk for the first time)? Well, you’ll have to make a special trip to Macau. It’s the island city next to Hong Kong that’s known for its casinos and Portuguese-style egg tarts.

The Glove was sold on Saturday night at an auction to Hoffman Ma of Hong Kong, who actually bought it on behalf of the Ponte 16 Resort Hotel in Macau, for US$420,000 (this includes taxes and auction fees). Not surprisingly, The Glove was purchased to become the resort’s main tourist attraction.

What I do find bizarre is Hoffman’s comment about the purchasing price. He told The Standard (a HK daily newspaper) that he thought it was a “discount.” Really? The rhinestones and the actual glove couldn’t have cost more than a few hundred dollars to make. I guess this means that MJ’s sweat is worth 100x it’s weight in gold.

While I am pretty sure that many Hong Kongers and Mainlanders will pay homage to the MJ shrine since it’s nearby, but will other die-hard fans flock to Macau to see it as well? I am skeptical that it will become a driver of tourism.

Filed under: Breaking News, Music, Travel, Asian, Hotel, International Marketing, Macau, Michael Jackson, Music, The Glove, Tourism

Post-Valentine’s Day with Khalil Fong

[Flickr/Pryon]

So while I still haven’t figured out how to get tickets to the Utada concert in January, I’m all good to see Khalil Fong live in concert on the day after Valentine’s Day (special thanks to DL for taking me to the SF concert). W00T! W00T!

So who is this Chinese guy with the trendy/hipster glasses and emo hair? He’s an musician (piano/guitar) with an amazingly soulful voice. I’ll write more about the concert after it happens in a couple of months. In the meantime, if you haven’t heard his stuff yet, checkout these covers of Faye Wong‘s “Red Bean” and Ray Charles‘ “Georgia On My Mind.”

Filed under: Music, Asian-American, China, Concert, Khalil Fong, Music, San Francisco Bay Area

Rain + GRNY = Ninja Assassin Plug

[Flickr/How and Nosm]

Rain, the Korean hottie-potattie pop star and archenemy of Stephen Colbert, did a rare autograph signing at the NY Giant Robot store last Friday to promote his new U.S. film, Ninja Assassin. I didn’t go (not that I’m even in NYC), but I did watch this YouTube video recap, so close enough. Needless to say, it reminded me of that time I stood in line for an hour to meet Hyde of L’arc en Ciel….though I am sure, Rain fans are a little more rabid.

If I did go (and I wasn’t giddy like a school girl with drool coming down my mouth), I’d like to ask Rain these questions:

• What in the world made you go with Ninja Assassin as your next U.S. film project? This movie looks like cheese with a side of green screen special effects.
• What makes you qualified to play a ninja? Last time I checked, you’re a dancer and a singer – not a fighter. (Yea, yea, I know they made it work for Drew Barrymore/Carmen Diaz/Lucy Liu for Charlie’s Angels, but fancy wire work and camera angles just aren’t as cool as the real deal).
• Will you also try to break into the U.S. music scene? I think you’d fare better in this arena and if you succeeded and became the Asian Shakira, you’d finally break down the Asian wall that your predecessors failed to do…ahem…Utada, BoA and Coco Lee.
• How does it feel to be pursued by Megan Fox? Congratulations, you are the envy of a LOT of men.

Filed under: Film, Marketing, Music, Asian, Film, Giant Robot, Korea, Marketing, Music, New York, Ninja Assassin, Rain

UTADA SF Concert, Sold Out! WHY?!?!

[Flickr/Random J]

[Insert Heavy Sarcasm] Good job, Daisy – Hikaru Utada, your J-pop music idol for the past 10 years, is on a rare U.S. tour and you completely missed the boat on getting tickets for the SF concert (on 1/24/09 at the Fillmore). What the heck is wrong with you! With millions and millions of fans around the world, did you really think that this wouldn’t sell out?

Yea, I admit it. I didn’t think it would (given that her recent albums haven’t been as hot as her previous stuff). So here I am, 4 freakin days after the tickets go on sale, without a ticket.

The concert isn’t for another two months, so all hope is not lost. However, I ain’t going to pay an outrageous finder’s fee to a scapler either….to be continued….

In the meantime, here’s her latest English single, “Come Back to Me” – this song has definitely grown on me, so I’m giving it a Daisy Stamp of Approval…Ha!

Filed under: Music, Concert, Fillmore, Hikaru Utada, J-Pop, Japan, Music, San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area, Utada

VAMPS Autograph Session in SF Japantown

Two days after standing a foot away from Jolin Tsai, I stood in line to get an autograph from Japanese rock idol, Hyde. If you’re not familiar with his name, you may recognize him as the lead singer of L’arc en Ciel. (And if you’re still lost, check out this Wikipedia page about the band).

I have been following this group on/off since high school (circa late 90s), so while I am familiar with their stuff, I am by no means a hardcore fan; however, my old college floormate’s sister is. Well, Hyde is currently promoting his side project, VAMPS, with K.A.Z of Oblivion Dust. They are touring the U.S. and hosting autograph sessions in each city. Since San Francisco is one of those cities, I volunteered to help my friend’s sister get the autograph that she’s always wanted. To describe the event, it was S-U-P-E-R organized and much better publicized than the Jolin Tsai event. So much so that when I arrived in Japantown at 5:00 p.m. PT, there was already a line of fans ready and waiting to get started at 6:00 p.m. PT. With rules in place requring (1) each fan to be ready with their CD/bag/swag when get in line and (2) limiting each fan to one autograph, everyone was able to meet Hyde and K.A.Z. In fact, the whole session ended 30 minutes early. Good job Team VAMPS!

Long story short, I got the autograph and shook Hyde’s hands. Super fans, don’t be too jealous now….

Filed under: Music, Asian, Hyde, Japan, Japantown, L'acr en Ciel, Music