F4 sings for a special edition OST

F4 sings for a special edition OST





And the new tunes keep coming! The production of Boys Before Flowers has put out another supplemental soundtrack, which they’re calling an “F4 Special Edition” OST.

Not only does this mini-album contain new songs, there are plans for more to come — each member of F4 (that’s Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon — like they require introduction, ha) has recorded a track. They aren’t original songs, though; each actor personally chose a song to cover.

The first to be unveiled is Kim Hyun-joong’s remake of “행복이란” (Thing Called Happiness), posted below, which is a song that enjoyed a lot of popularity when it was first released in the ’70s. It was sung by Jo Kyung-soo, the singer father of actor Jo Seung-woo (Go Go 70).




No wonder these boys are so tired; I don’t know where they found the time, but the songs were recorded in secret and were just revealed today.

From a marketing standpoint, this is probably smart in terms of drumming up maximum excitement as the drama heads to its grand finish. (Boys Before Flowers is still generating lots of press, but to me it seems as though the insane frenzy of the early days has muted in recent weeks.)

Still, I can’t help wishing more of these newer selections had been gradually introduced earlier in the series, because the drama was so overshadowed in the first half with its tired song rotation and could have greatly used an infusion of fresh tunes.

This’ll be Kim Hyun-joong’s second cover song for Boys Before Flowers; he first chose Lee Juck’s Panic song to play in Episode 15. Kim says that both are songs he’s always enjoyed, which makes me wonder if he may have slightly different music preferences than the stuff he puts out with his boy-band group SS501. But that’s okay, ’cause I like his taste. On top of that, Kim contributed an acoustic version of “Because I’m Dumb” to the soundtrack.

The rest of the songs by the other F4 boys will be released in the near future.

Boys Before Flowers OST2

Boys Over Flowers OST 2
01 Say Yes - T-Max
02 With Ur My Love (With J) - T-Max
03 아쉬운 마음인걸 - A’st1
04 애인만들기 - SS501
05 어떡하죠 - 지선 (Jisun)
06 Love Is Fire - Kara
07 Love U - HowL
08 사랑같은 거 - Brand New Day
09 눈물이 난다 - 이상곤 (Lee Sang Gon)
10 Cellogic (Cello By 김영민)
11 다가가다 (Violin By 동요)
12 낯선 해
13 사랑을 위하여

F4 Special Edition
01 행복이란 - 김현중 (Kim Hyun Joong)
02 가슴이 어떻게 됐나봐 - A&T
03 나쁜 마음을 먹게해 (Ballad Ver.) - T-MAX
04 나쁜 마음을 먹게해 (Dance Ver.) - T-MAX

Mizushima Hiro amazing actor

Mizushima Hiro
Aiming to be an actor with a masterpiece




Lead actor in Fuji's Mei-chan no Shitsuji, Mizushima Hiro, aims to be an actor with a masterpiece.
19th January 2009

It looks like the boom of girls yearning for such a butler to serve them has exploded. He plays the butler that does everything flawlessly, Shibata Rihito, in Fuji TV's drama serial 'Mei-chan no Shitsuji' (Tuesdays at 9). As in the drama 'Room of King' from last autumn by the same television station, he is playing a lead role. Although he says he "feels the same" about playing a role, it is a complete about-turn from his role as a young man doing odd jobs.

"A butler has the image of being the quintessence of manners, with the right posture and always aware of his speech. There's a feeling of control in his voice and tension too. But, this is the first time playing a role that requires me to stand so upright that my shoulders have stiffened a little," he said, smiling wryly.

Being a school setting, there are many characters involved. The location's always bustling. "In 'Room of King', I was surrounded by established older actors, this time, at one go, I feel young again. I was surprised at how everyone quickly got along, I'm enjoying myself."

The drama is set in a super-rich girls school 'Saint Lucia Girls Academy'. The students live in dorms and the school site covers a third the size of Tokyo. The monthly school fees is 100 million yen and an ikemen butler is attached to every student.

Within the academy, Rihito is the most desired butler among the girls. Born into a family of butlers who have long served the Hongo Group, he is devoted to serving Shinonome Mei, who is related by blood to the Hongo Family. Serving her, protecting her from bullying, he supports her as she grows into a splendid lady.

"An ikemen butler attached to every student. The drama's worldview is a little far-out, but I think it will be fun to watch on television. As a drama that shows the growth of the butler and young lady, it not just a comedy and you should be able to enjoy the other parts as well."

◇

After spending half a year modelling, he made his acting debut in Nippon TV's Gokusen (2005). The road to being an actor was a meandering one.

Originally, his aim was to be a professional soccer player. Studying for 6 years in elementary school in Switzerland, he started playing soccer then. He even participated in the High School Championships at the national level, advancing up to the semi-finals of MF. After entering university, he picked up an injury and had to give up soccer.

"I didn't know what to do." In despair, he resolved to study his only other interest, fashion. "If I go to New York, I don't know what I might discover there." He already had experience living abroad and was not hampered by language, knowing English. To earn enough money to go to America, he started modelling, after being introduced by a senior.

He said that he was bad at getting his photos taken. While trying his best at his work in order to build up his funds, interest in being an actor, in being able to express what's inside, started to stir. "I did not have confidence on being judged just on my appearance. I felt that in that way, you cannot make any impression of a person. I thought as an actor, even if it's just a little, I can express something inside of me to other people."

Up to today, he has not gone to New York. He does harbour feelings of going, but at the moment, work is his priority. "I want to appear in a good production. The role does not matter. I think the production is important. If people say 'Mizushima Hiro, he was in that production', then I think I would have become an actor with a masterpiece.

◇

☆ 3 Questions

1)When you are happy.
When people around me are smiling. If I have done something to make them smile, that would make me happy.

2)What you would be if you were not an actor.
I think I would have been a designer. I had even thought of going abroad to study it, that's how much it interested me.

3)The one thing you would bring to a deserted island.
Dokodemo (Anywhere) Door that Doraemon can produce. In that way, I can go anywhere.

Birth of the 8 Billion Yen Couple

Hana Yori DangoBirth of the 8 Billion Yen Couple






Reporter : The topic of a celebrity couple being born is the talk of the town.Copy Editor : What's that ?Reporter : The 2 leading actors in the movie Hana Yori Dango Final for some reason, seems suspicious.Copy Ed : Who ?Reporter : Arashi's Matsumoto Jun and Inoue Mao.Copy Ed : Both are young stars but why do you call them celebrities ?Reporter : Hana Yori was a big 8 billion hit, and Matsumoto and Inoue are also active in singing and acting respectively. Copy Ed : Is that so ?Reporter : Inoue has even been nicknamed the 10 Billion Yen Actress.Copy Ed : Really ?Reporter : During the drama, both of them overcame many troubles before ending up together, and it seems the same happened in real life.Copy Ed : Hm~m.Reporter : It was said that while Matsumoto was doing a photo shoot for a free paper, his phone rang and Inoue Mao's name was indicated on his mobile phone. Copy Ed : Isn't it normal to call ?Reporter : Most youths nowadays usually settle things they have to do by mail but Matsumoto's manner was strangely restless, leading the staff present to think that there was something suspicious going on.Copy Ed : Maybe he wasn't able to relax because he was in the midst of work ?Reporter : There's also the possibility that there's a more complicated story behind it.Copy Ed : But even so, their relationship has not been visible at all.Reporter : There's been many dates indoors at each others homes. But it seems like they have not been caught with a shot together yet.Copy Ed : But Aibu Saki and Nagase Tomoya have been caught when they borrowed DVD for their indoor dates, you know.Reporter : Inoue is number one among the young pros, she keeps in mind that she has to be vigilant about what's going on around her and not be caught off-guard.Copy Ed : Are the two of them 'going for the goal' like in the movie ? Reporter : For that, unless you ask the persons concerned......Copy Ed : ......(This article appeared in Nikkan Gendai on the 25th of October.)Infoseek☆・。・。★・°・。・°☆ミ(=^_^=)ノ彡☆°・。・°★・。・。☆

Nakatsu wins an award

Toma wins Best Supporting Actor



Photo courtesy of Grumpy (because Johnny won't even allow the paper that gave out the award to a Johnny boy the right to publish his image online. Boo ! Hisss !) Having said that, this one is fab. Ots !

Ikuta Toma wins Actor in a Supporting Role Award / Nikkan Drama Grand Prix

Ikuta gazed at the trophy and murmured "I'm receiving this award because I have been aided by so many people, they made me who I am today. I will never forget my debt of gratitude to them ne."

In 2007, he played a detestable villain role as a high school student in Hana Yori Dango 2. After that he displayed his comedic sense in the completely opposite role as Nakatsu. Later on, it was a supporting but indispensable role in Honey and Clover as someone naive and simple. He has shown himself in a variety of roles. Amongst them all, Hanazakari has been responsible for bringing Ikuta to fame. "The gallery at the filming location was sparse the first time we shot. During the last one, it was packed with crowds. People who have never done it before, small children and office workers, are calling out to me... I can feel the size of this drama."

"When I have an idea, I'll discuss it with the staff. Even that scene with the panty covering my head, I set my brains on fire thinking thoroughly about it for 3 months." The drama then promised the solo Ikuta unrequited love delusion scene.

Nakatsu posing with a panty on his head, dressing as a nurse in pink. "This work winning an award, it's because of the large wardrobe we had so I have to give the award to it, thanks a lot." The depth in his heart. The possibilities are infinite.

Excerpts from Nikkan Sports
30th April


credit unleashthegeek


o(^ー^)o

Han Yori Dango ChiChin PuiPui Interview

Hana Yori Dango FinalChichin Puipui







I gave the interview translation a go. How accurate it is, I can't say o(^?^)oQ. Any memorable scenes ?Jun : For me for sure, is that we get to film overseas like Hong Kong, Las Vegas for the the movie this time. From Japan we get to fly around for a trip, it's impressive.Q. Was it a hard schedule ?Jun : It was really hard. Frankly ne...Mao : It was awful ne... *giggle*Jun : Frankly, I couldn't really see you know, people's faces or things or like that. When I talk to people, my eyes just start to glaze over... That's how tired I was, till I can't see people's faces anymore.Q. A point about each other that could be improved...Jun : Something that could be improved... *thinks awhile*Jun: There's too many....(at the same time)Mao : Too many...(at the same time)Both : *laugh*Jun : We each have our own ne ?Mao : ne *giggle*Jun : The way she walks naturally...Mao : Don't say that, what I think you're going to sayJun : *laugh* It's quite ...bow-legged... She really looks like she walks all bow-legged...Mao : I was playing Tsukushi...ne.. You've become really frank haven't you...Jun : But it's really bowlegged ?!Mao : *laugh* You think ??Q. Something about Matsujun that could be improved on.Mao : Matsumoto-san ne...Q. A weak point is also alright.Mao : Weak point, he's weak here *poke of love!*Jun : *jumps up*Mao : *laughs*Jun : Weh !Mao : It's here *pointing to Jun's sides* But, if your timing is not right, it's difficult to do.Jun : I couldn't read the air ne (can't tell she's going to do it)Mao : Yup, can't read the air. If he reads it, I wouldn't be able to do it... he'll go like this (swiping hand away action) You, what the heck are you trying to do ? He'll go like that. Q. A job that you want try for a day ?Jun : Hmm well. I want to be a bartender. Anywhere like a pub or restaurant will do, drunk people will drop by, different types of people will go in and out. So in that one day, I'll meet different types of people and characters, you can experience all sorts of things. So if you get to do it at least once, I think it would be interesting. Q. What happens when Matsujun drinks...Mao : He gets really funny... ah, I know, he becomes a really lonely person !Jun : Bothersome~Mao : When he becomes all lonely, he will start calling up different places and go "YOU-tachi come over too will you" like that. Q. A job that Inoue Mao would want to do for a day ?Mao : ... Has to be a human being ?Jun : ... That's a new expression ne that one... Haven't we been following the people pattern ? So what is it ?Mao : Something like a whale shark ?Jun : .... whale shark ? Why a whale shark ??Mao : There's a Churaumi Aquarium right ? I've been there before, it's really pretty isn't it ? So if I get to be a whale shark, I'd get to see it from a different view, sort of...Jun : ... so it'll great if you become a whale shark isn't it (pointing at the camera)Mao : *laugh* Why, is it that irrational ??Jun : Eh you did say you wanted to be a whale shark didn't you ? Mao : Well then, no, don't want to.Jun : Eh, is that all right ?Mao : Don't want to be one.. no no that's not it. If I say aquarium, then it has to be the Churaumi Aquarium isn't it. When I say Churaumi Aquarium, then it's got to be a whale shark right ?Jun : That what I said, go on and do it (pointing at camera again)Mao : So it's like... no, can't do it...Jun : Eh ?! Aren't you an actor ?Mao : Actress actress... yes. Jun : I think this is a film that will live up to your expectations, so please get your legs moving to the theatre. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. That's all. Goodbye.Mao : *giggle* Byebee *waves hands*Jun : Byebee ?! Out-of-fashion ne.. Mao : Sorry.. *giggle*

Boys Before Flowers Episode 23 Subs

HYD Movie Edition and more...

Travel Bag & 5 Monochrome Postcards for First Press Limited Edition only.

3 Disc Set (Disc 1: Original Theater Release Version + Spots, Disc 2: Director's Cut, Disc 3: Bonus Footage)

Original Theater Release Version + Spots (131 minutes)

Bonus Discs
Disc 1 (164 minutes)
・ Director's Cut with more than 32 minutes of scenes not released in theaters

Disc 2 (Approximately 200 minutes)
・ Production Press Release
・ Making
・ Crank-up
・ Testimonial Events
- Preview at Nihon Budoukan
- Opening Day Stage Greetings at Nichigeki Plex 2
- Big Hit 5 Cities Stage Greetings
- Hanadan Jet
- Big Hit Stage Greetings in Okinawa
- Final Event in Ebisu Garden Place
・ Cast Interview
・ Complete Navi Programs to commemorate movie opening

TBS Original Bonus Gift (only from TBS Shop)





1 Tall Case with Original Theater Release Version + Spots (131 minutes)

One Love

The One Love song
was in fact written for the HYD Final

More of Inoue Mao & The Wedding

Inoue Mao In a wedding dress for Hanadan's last event




An event for the movie Hana Yori Dango Final took place on the 21st in Tokyo, Ebisu Garden Place. Arashi's Matsumoto Jun (24) and Inoue Mao (21) made an appearance in front of 700 fans in the same wedding outfit they had on in the movie. Today marks the last of the movie's campaign. The spot was also used during the movie's filming and Matsumoto said,"It makes me happy to return to a place filled with memories." A smiling Inoue said,"There were many difficult moments but I'm glad we persevered." As of the 20th, the box-office proceeds has exceeded 7,100,000,000 yen and it is the top live-action film of 2008. The theme song sung by Arashi, One Love, has also sold more than 500,000 units, putting it in 1st place of the best-selling singles of 2008.

Inoue Mao Wedding Dress

Sanspo 22nd August 2008



Matsujun & Mao, in their wedding outfit once more




Lead actress Inoue Mao (21) and her co-star Arashi's Matsumoto Jun (24) who star in Hana Yori Dango Final, the movie version of a popular drama series, made an appearance in Tokyo in the wedding outfit they wore during the movie.

They walked along the 70 metres of red carpet to the loud cheers of about 700 fans. David Ito (42) who plays the secretary of the son of a distinguished family (Matsumoto's character) said, "My birthday is on the 12th and I have received flowers from Mao-chan, we've spent a lot of time together so..." but Matsumoto gave him the cold shoulder and said to the crowd's laughter," I have a birthday coming up too, on the 30th, but we don't have the custom of celebrating a birthday during just any day of the birthday month."

According to its distributor Toho, it has made 7,100,000,000 yen and been watched by 5,900,000 people, making it the top live Japanese film of the year.

Pictures of Channel Rock on the Wedding

These pictures
are so beautiful..

HYD Wedding :)

Hana Yori Dango Final
Final Event



View from waaaay up :)









NTV Zoomin 21st August 2008
Inoue Mao and Matsumoto Jun in wedding attire for Last Event
Makino Tsukushi, played by Inoue Mao (21) and Doumyouji Tsukasa, played by Matsumoto Jun (24), made their appearance at the Final Event on the 21st at Ebisu Garden Place. At the meeting place where Tsukushi and Tsukasa had their first date, they walked down the red carpet in their wedding gown and tuxedo. With 600 people lining its side, they blessed the couple with a flower shower. Seeing the many people in attendance, Matsumoto Jun commented happily, "Sugoi desu ne. The Hanadan image in this place, like this clock tower, is strong and being here is profound, so I'm glad we're able to do this last event." On Mao in her dress, he said,"Kirei desu ne." The audience too could be heard saying,"Mao-chan kawaii~"











Sponichi 21st August 2008
Matsumoto Jun Smiling on his return to a place full of memories
Actress Inoue Mao (21) and Arashi's Matsumoto Jun (24) who appeared together in the movie Hana Yori Dango Final attended an event that took place in Ebisu Garden Place on the 21st. This spot is an important place during the drama where many pivotal moments took place, one full of memories. Matsumoto said with a smiling face,"I'm happy that we can return here." This movie has box-office proceeds exceeding 7,100,000,000 yen as of the 20th and is leading the way to be the top live-action film of 2008.


Aren't they beautiful together ? It makes me all teary~


credit goes to unleashthegeek
for the translation