This summer is already gearing up to be a highly anticipated movie blockbuster season – with one of them being The Wolverine. This past week, a teaser trailer and stills were posted on Entertainment Weekly, which featured Japanese models Tao Okamoto and Rila Fukushima, who play Mariko and Yukio respectively. The Wolverine marks their first Hollywood production (as well as Okamoto’s first foray into acting). I’ll admit, while Tao Okamoto is one of my favorite models, Rila Fukushima looks pretty badass. Check them all out!

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American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez is teaming up with Ne-Yo for her debut single “Tonight”. She has described the single as a “fun, cluby, dancey song” . Check it out below and see for yourself. Be sure to keep an eye out for her debut album released on April 30th and click here to watch the duo perform their song live on American Idol.

Photo via Jezebel

Margaret Cho is not known for biting her tongue. The outspoken Korean American comic has never shied away from confronting homophobia, racism, sexism and body intolerance in her stand-up routinees and in her personal life.

But a recent incident left the funny woman at a loss for words.

While attending a well-known Los Angeles Korean spa, or jjimjilbang, Cho began to feel uncomfortable and unwanted. It should be noted that she is heavily tattooed — extensive body art she wears proudly. An otherwise pleasant spa experience went downhill
after other patrons complained about her appearance, specifically her tattoos, as being offensive.

Cho recounts the experience in an editorial piece for Jezebel, where she explains that after she was prompted to cover up to avoid further upsetting anyone in the spa, the indescribable frustration she felt at being treated differently.

“My tattoos represent much of the pain and suffering I have endured. They are part of me, just like my scars, my fat, my eternal struggle with gravity. None of our bodies are ‘perfect’. We live in them. They aren’t supposed to be ‘perfect’. We are just us, perceived flaws and all. I am just only myself. … Their intolerance viewing my nakedness –- as if it was some kind of an assault on their senses, like my ass was a weapon – made me furious in a way I can’t really even express with words -– and that for me is quite impressive. This bitch always has some shit to say.”

Cho, a native of San Francisco, has arguably paved the way for many Asian Americans in popular culture, film, and television.

Despite the emotional reaction the incident caused, Cho still found a way to find humor in the situation.

“I restrained myself from saying “joo-goo lae?” which loosely translated means, “you want to die?” I didn’t say it. I thought it. but I didn’t say it.”

Reposted from KoreAm. 

Judith Hill performing “What a Girl Wants” on The Voice.

Season 4 of The Voice is here! Christina and Ceelo are sitting out this season – and I’ll say that I’m pretty pleased with Shakira and Usher filling in their shoes. Monday night’s premiere episode opened up with a big bang (complete with a lovely rendition of The Beatles’ “Come Together” by the four judges). However, what REALLY caught my eye was seeing two Asian women appear as contestants on the show (and both from Los Angeles!): Leah Lewis and Judith Hill. Fifteen year old Lewis is an adoptee from Shanghai, while singer-songwriter Hill has made a name for herself when she caught the attention of the world as she sang the lead on “Heal the World” at Michael Jackson’s funeral. Lewis didn’t get selected to a team, but Hill got all four judges to turn around for her (she eventually went with Adam Levine).

Leah Lewis performing “Blown Away”

Meet Judith Hill!

Judith Hill singing “What a Girl Wants”

Ever since Hyun Bin was discharged from the army earlier this year, I’ll say he’s taking his sweet time finding his next project. While I respect the actor take all the time in the world for the perfect project, I’m actually really waiting for one thing: Hyun Bin’s post-military duty abs. In the meantime, enjoy this adorable shoot for Esquire Korea.

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The art of film and television was introduced to the Philippines in the late 1890′s and although this is the youngest of the Philippine arts , it has developed into the most popular. Because of its appeal, the Philippine Entertainment Industry appears to be growing larger every year.  And when we say large, we mean it. With new faces popping up everyday, it would take a very long time to name all of the young and rising Filipina Actresses currently gracing the screen.

We decided to take a different approach. Yes, there are many Filipina actresses, but who are the ones we consider timeless? Who are the leading ladies we can watch years from now and still find ourselves mesmerized by? Who’s performances bring us to tears? In honor of Women’s History Month, we present to you the Ten Timeless Filipina Actresses:

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Dept: The Good Life
Author: Elyse Glickman
Photos: Adrienne Gunde

Wildflower Linen’s Youngsong Martin strives to make the world more beautiful, one gala at a time.

Though Youngsong Martin made a name for herself in fashion design in her career’s “first phase,” it was only a matter of time before her passion for designing unforgettable environments was reignited. This unique talent originated during her childhood in Seoul, where she constantly sought new ways to brighten the sur- roundings of her family’s small home. It resurfaced in 2001 when, while helping her niece make a bold wedding day statement, she found the fabrics available to her “industrial and bland.”
The attention to detail and refinement doesn’t end there. Guestrooms are sprawling enough to feel like a private Tuscan villa. The washroom is more spacious than most studio apart- ments I’ve lived in as a college student, and its gold fittings and crystal lamps made me feel like I was in Pretty Woman. And what does every Pretty Woman do? Take a bubble bath, of course! I have never felt so fancy taking a bath; the separate soaking tub is big enough to fit two comfortably (or in my case, me and my sizeable food-baby from the night’s eating (mis) adventures). By nightfall, I was nestled in exquisite European linens atop a bed that embraced the body just so. Oh, their bed ruined me for life; theirs is the beautiful carriage to my pump- kin back at home.

It led Martin to found Wildflower Linens, a company that revolutionized the field of special event décor and linens. Her stun- ning tabletop concepts and couture-hewn chair covers have since wowed attendees of the Vanity Fair and Oscars Governor’s Ball after-parties, a DreamWorks premiere at the Venice Film Festi- val, as well as numerous charity galas, weddings and Presidential Library events. “While much of the interior design field focuses on permanent installation, there is a certain artistic freedom that comes with designing interiors for a specific event,” she says. “It is the story of Cinderella, where you have the potential to make any- thing happen. Another advantage is that when I design something statement-making for an event, the chair I am creating the design for will not talk back to me.”

After all that rest and relaxation, I could have opted for an array of activities: a golf outing on the 380-acre, Tom Fazio-designed golf course; dinner at Addison, its AAA 5-Diamond restaurant, or even a complimentary limousine ride within 14 miles of the estate. (I contem- plated utilizing this service to dine at a nearby taco stop. Hey, whether inhaling cabeza tacos or nibbling on caviar, a true lady always travels in style.) Instead, I opted for a beautification day at The Spa, its award-winning, 21,000-square-foot, full-service day spa.
Youngsong Martin in her studio.

“When planning a look for a one-night event, I focus on what’s on the tabletop rather than the surroundings,” she says. Whether you have an apartment or a mansion, “figure out what things you want your guests to pay attention to at your event. Next, transform those decorative ele- ments into a sensory experience. Guests will be drawn in from the moment they see the flicker- ing of the candles, and colors of the tabletop. Once you have made a statement, guests will focus on that rather than the rest of the house.”

In the coming months, however, Martin plans to expand to a “third phase” of home décor, bringing the glamour of special events to the everyday home. “When planning a look for a one-night event, I focus on what’s on the tabletop rather than the surroundings,” she says. Whether you have an apartment or a mansion, “figure out what things you want your guests to pay attention to at your event. Next, transform those decorative ele- ments into a sensory experience. Guests will be drawn in from the moment they see the flicker- ing of the candles, and colors of the tabletop. Once you have made a statement, guests will focus on that rather than the rest of the house.”

Color is one way Martin likes to make a statement. “We are moving away from the natural ‘eco’ look, like burlap and natural fibers, and are moving back to bright colors like orange and fuchsia, but in a completely different way from a few years earlier when Indian designs were big,” she says. “Today’s patterns integrate black or white ‘non-colors’ with brights.”

From galas to the home to the community, Martin is all about beautifying her environment. Recently honored for her multi-faceted charity work on National Philanthropy Day in Orange County, Calif., Martin believes “that any solid business model should include social responsi- bility. We need to pay attention to other people regardless of how much our business makes. We need to be a part of the community as well as exist within it.”

Deepa Mehta’s much-anticipated new film MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN, based on the acclaimed novel by Salman Rushdie who also wrote the screenplay, releases in select theaters on April 26. The brand new US trailer and poster have just premiered for this eagerly awaited all-star motion picture event which boasts an incredible cast including Seema Biswas, Rahul Bose, Shriya Saran, Siddharth, Soha Ali Khan, Shabana Azmi, Samrat Chakrabarti, Satya Bhabha, and Anupam Kher.

MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN was an official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival and London Film Festival and will now hit theaters nationwide this spring starting with New York on April 26 followed by additional cities in May.

MIDNIGHT’S CHILDREN
Release Date: April 26 in NYC, other major cities in May
Director: Deepa Mehta
Screenplay and Novel by: Salman Rushdie
Cast: Satya Bhabha, Shahana Goswami, Rajat Kapoor, Seema Biswas, Shriya Saran, Siddharth Ronit Roy, Rahul Bose, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Anita Majumdar, Charles Dance, Soha Ali Khan, Zaib Shaikh, Shabana Azmi, Anupam Kher and Darsheel Safary.
Music: Nitin Sawhney

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z6F5YMAhSc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midnightsmovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/midnightsmovie
Official Site: http://midnightschildren.com/
Distributor: Paladin and 108 Media

SYNOPSIS:

At the stroke of midnight on August 15th, 1947, as India declares independence from Great Britain, two babies are switched at birth by a nurse in a Bombay hospital. And so it is that Saleem Sinai, the bastard child of a beggar woman, and Shiva, the only son of a wealthy couple, are fated to live the destinies meant for each other. Over the next three decades, Saleem and Shiva find themselves on opposite sides of many a conflict, whether it be because of class, politics, romantic rivalry, or the constantly shifting borders that are drawn every time neighbors become enemies and decide to split their newborn nation into two, and then three, warring countries. Through it all, the lives of Saleem and Shiva are mysteriously intertwined. They are also inextricably linked to the history of India itself, which takes them on a whirlwind journey full of trials, triumphs, and disasters.

We’re giving you a thumbs up for your abs too.

Our latest S.H.A.G. (SMOKING HOT ASIAN GUY!) is none other than South Korean heartthrob, Song Seung-heon. Song Seung-heon is returning to kdrama-land with the MBC meloadrama When a Man Loves on April 3rd! While we don’t know how much of his abs will appear in this upcoming drama, we can give you this picture for now to hold you over. Click on for more pictures of him in action …..as a mob boss?

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UCLA Asian Pacific American Law Journal invites you to attend the 2013 Asian Pacific American Law Journal Symposium, Only We Can Free Ourselves: Reflections on the Works of Mari Matsuda. Mari Matsuda is the first tenured female Asian American law professor in the United States, at UCLA School of Law in 1998, and a founder of Critical Race Theory.

The symposium will be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2013, from 9-5pm at UCLA School of Law. The day will consist of three panels, each of which will address a few of the larger themes in Mari Matsuda’s scholarship, including “looking to the bottom”, “multiple consciousness”, and social justice. Professor Matsuda will give a keynote address at the end of the symposium. A reception will follow with a performance by Filipino American emcee, Bambu.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP by April 2nd. The event is free and open to the public. (Please note that MCLE credit is pending, and there is a $25 fee only for attorneys seeking credit.)

If you would like to make a donation in support of the Symposium, click here.

RSVP

Co-sponsored by: UCLA Asian American Studies Center, UCLA Campus Programs Committee of the Program Activities Board, Critical Race Studies Program, David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law & Policy, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County, Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers Alliance, Japanese American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association – Southern California