H!P Invades Land of the Kimchi!

UFA is really late in getting on the band wagon in terms of trying to secure an overseas market. The Koreans have been at it for years with their whole 'Korean Wave' thingy and they have seen considerable success.

Although I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, I have to say that I'm not particularly optimistic about H!P's success. Still, its good to see them try. With spiraling sales in Japan, the girls desperately need an alternative fanbase.

And where does the company set their sights on after a failed attempt in China? Land of the Kimchi aka South Korea.

So there's this audition held in Korea called 東京少女 'Tokyo Girl' where one or more girls get picked to enter the amazing idol making factory known as Hello! Project. As long as they don't mess with MM by stuffing one of these random girls into the current line-up, I'm fine with whoever they choose.

Previously many of the girls have made a visit to Korea either for concerts or promotional activities. Let's take a look at the list shall we? From the top of my head I can think of these.

1. Ai, Risa and Koharu (MM) - Promo for 'All Singles Daizenshu' concert


2. MM - 'All Singles Daizenshu' concert


3. Captain (Berryz Koubou) and Maimi (C-ute) - Promo for 'Tokyo Girl'


4. Berryz Koubou - Asia Music Fest


5. Maimi and Erika (C-ute)


6. Ai, Risa, Reina and Lin Lin (MM) - Promo for 'Tokyo Girl'

Berryz Koubou was supposed to hold a mini-live on the 22th of May. No mention of the event anywhere after the day so I'm not sure if it went through.

Number 6 occured recently. I think it was in the beginning of May 2009. The girls got to appear on Mnet's Jpop Wave and in a park (?) to meet with the hosts and contestants of 'Tokyo Girl'.

There was a handshake session. Those incredibly lucky fans got to hold Gaki-san's hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Yells like a mad person* I'm never gonna get over why Korean fans have handshake sessions bestowned on them so often. There was definitely one for number 1 at a shopping mall and number 3 as well. *grumbles*

THAT'S IT! If I can't be reborn as a Japanese in my next life then I wanna be Korean XD

Mnet Jpop Wave

There is more to this vid but the other parts got taken off YT :(

'Tokyo Girl' Event

I expected Risa to talk more. Major bummer :( At least her hair was awesome ^^ Ai-chan had this aura about her. It was like she had suddenly gotten more confident or something? Whatever caused it, it made her so darn attractive! Her action of jerking her head to get her fringe out of her eyes was incredibly sexy *nosebleed*

'Tokyo Girl' CM

Kamo Kamo Kamo :D

Since we're on the topic, here are more videos about H!P girls and Korea.

[私] Watashi

Does anyone know the penalties involved for ogling Ai's PB making of in a public place? If I risk being thrown in the slammer for it, at least I can take heart in the fact that Takahashi's legal ^^;

I wanted to include scans from the PB, released on May 25 2009 in this post but I have not gotten my hands on it yet so screencaps from the making of will have to do for now.



This is the leadaa's 10th PB. Nope, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. It's T-E-N. I'm certain this lady with the eternal baby-face has earned herself plenty of moolah from doing her 1st PB till this one.

The way she smiles in this pic reminds me of a monkey. Before you start pelting me with rotten eggs, I meant that in a good way. When a fan links monkey with Ai-chan, it can only mean good things. Didn't she once say she thinks she resembles a monkey or something?

@@ Since when did Ai get so big? You know what I mean XD



The 'wet look' never fails to get me. Although Ai isn't really wet, her hair seems like it is a little soaked and that's good enough for me. I can leave the rest to my imagination :P



I can envision Ai clinging on to her beloved red blankie like this. Awwww, isn't she adorable? <3



She looks a tad more mature here but still nowhere near her real age.



I have no idea why she would wanna put her chin on the meter especially at a time like this. There could be a million germs on that thing. H1N1 anyone? XD

You know there are some girls who look like they have absolutely nothing up there? Well. Ai isn't one of those airheads. I can believe she knows what she's reading on that paper. Although I'm pretty sure she doesn't understand most of it :P

Didn't Eri have some pics with the giant freezer in one of her PBs too? Was it in 'Days'? She had the exact same pose. Why didn't someone put Ai INSIDE the chiller? That would be fun :D

Cute nails there. Did your wifey Gaki-san do them for you? ^^



Possibly my fav outfit from the PB. The school-girl look is always a winner!



Yummy! *stares at burger* Care to share Ai-chan? Judging from your figure, you would probably only finish a quarter of it.



I don't really have a reason for taking these caps. I just did *sweatdrop*



Ooooh, sultry seductress gaze there.

Was there any doubt that lying down / crawling shots would be included?

Ai seems to replicate a number of poses from her previous PBs. I think the hands-covering-mouth angle was done in her second PB - アロハロ! 高橋愛.

So far we've only gotten a glimpse of how Aika handles the camera. It's nice to see Ai having a go at it too.

Body parts galore! I don't wanna look like a hentai but geez, try having so many of these shoved in your face. It's hard to resist XD

Kawaii~~! She's the perfect candidate for a toothpaste commercial. And Reina can model the before pics for an orthodontist XD

I know what's you're thinking of. Don't, go there *nudge*

Apparently the slightly parted lips pose is a crowd pleaser.

-----

Part 1 of the DVD that comes with the PB

Part 2

There is a separate DVD for this. Usually they run for about 50 min. So get it if you need more Ai candy, eye candy get it, LOL. Gosh, I can be so lame XD

PS: I saw a comment made by CrypticShadow8 which NEEDS to be mentioned. Quoting him / her: It amuses me to think of what the people in Hawaii must be thinking while this is going on. (As in seeing Ai being photographed) Like I'm sure a lot of people at the store were like "I wish this girl would get out of my way so I could finish shopping." lol She was in such populated places. It was nice though.

Thank you so much for writing that! I had a horrid morning but after reading it I started grinning like a dork :D Now I feel much better ^^

Mizuhara Kana...GETS~!!

Ever since I heard about Ai-chan landing a part in a prime time drama, I've been anticipating the DVD release. After weeks of waiting and hunting, I've finally gotten my hands on it.

And the most awesome thing about buying this the moment I saw it is.... *takes deep breath* it has an English subtitles option! No more wondering what is going on and being lost regarding the plot and cases.

The box containing the discs looks pretty damn decent with pictures and all. I must say it looks very pretty. Ai looks VERY pretty ^^

Although the ratings weren't the best and the story moved rather slowly, at least Takahashi now has 'female lead' to add to her list of accomplishments. I think that's great and I hope she gets more opportunities in the future.

Of course I wanna see GakiKame get a shot at acting too. And Sayumin as well. She would make a good actress with her height and gorgeous face <3