The Daily SHAG | The Hangover Part III’s Peter Jae
The release of The Hangover Part III couldn't have come at a better time. We're due for another Daily SHAG (Smoking Hot Asian Guy) and who better than The Hangover's Peter Jae (you may remember him from one of our favorite series K-Town Cowboys!), who worked as a stuntman for the film. Peter is also currently working on stunts for the upcoming Michael Mann film, Cyber, starring Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, and Wang Lee Hom. If you happen to be a fan of abs, you're in for a treat! Click on for more pics:
Creepy Technology: Human Doll Cloning
Technology has come quite a long way. Just ten years ago, texting was not a main form of communication, we had to actually remember phone numbers, and we went to the library to get information. Now, we live in a society of smart phones, gps systems, and social media. But apparently, we're not stopping there. Trying to make its way to the top of innovative technology is the process of doll cloning. Said to be perfect for the "tech-savvy ego-fetishist" individual, Japan's Clone Factory specializes in 3-D printing of human faces. For the price of $1300, you can now place your face onto a doll's...
World’s Most Powerful Asian Women: 21 Top Forbes’ Annual Power List
This week, Forbes Magazine published their list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2013, their annual list of the impactful women from seven categories: billionaires, business, lifestyle (including entertainment and fashion), media, nonprofits and NGOs, politics and technology. The list was determined using three metrics: money, media presence and impact (please go here for a more in-depth explanation of their methodology). This year, 21 Asian women (2 are Asian American) are featured on the list, with mainly businesswomen and politicians ranking on the list, marking a very strong...
10 Signs That Your Relationship is An Asian Drama
Complicated love triangles, near-death experiences, and endless tears? If this sounds familiar, your relationship may just be liken to some of our favorite Asian Dramas. Check the signs below: 1. You receive piggyback rides. This is often when you're too drunk to walk, but not too drunk to divulge some of your deepest secrets.
Psy and Jessica Sanchez Perform on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Finale
ABC's popular dance competition, Dancing With The Stars just concluded its 16th season. Aside from crowning American Idol's Kellie Pickler and dance partner Derek Hough as the winners, the finale featured performances by Psy, Jessica Sanchez, and Pitbull. Psy showed off some dancing skills of his own with his performance of his hit single "Gentleman". Of course the Korean performer brought along his impressive backup dancers decked out in gold pants and all. Slowing down the pace, Jessica Sanchez performed her rendition of the Pitbull and Christina Aguillera hit "Feel This Moment"....
Editor’s Diary: Cannes Film Festival 2013, Day 3
Diary from Cannes 2013: Day 3 (May 18, 2013) After getting a quick glimpse of the beautiful beach weather that Cannes is known for on Friday, Saturday was full of storms and winds. But that didn't stop crowds from lining up outside the theaters with their umbrellas to wait for today's lineup of films. Perhaps the rain actually increased the popularity of the screenings, as festivalgoers preferred ducking in to theaters for shelter, as opposed to ducking into overpriced restaurants. The day started promisingly with the premiere of Bends, a debut film from Hong Kong's Flora Lau. The...
Geography of Hate: Racism Mapped Out Based on Tweets
Researchers from the Floating Sheep Project have used Twitter to locate racist and homophobic tweets in the United States and have plotted them on an interactive map. Students at Humboldt State University looked at 150,000 tweets containing slurs from June 2012 to April 2013. The students carefully observed each tweet to determine if the word was being used in a positive or negative light and created the Geography of Hate. The goal of the project was to examine social media and determine how much it has become a platform for hate speech. Social media is often tied very closely to the offline...
DEPT: Pop-arazzi
AUTHOR: Ada Tseng
ISSUE: Spring 2013
PHOTO: Nick Walker
“Alternative folk rock group, Thao and The Get Down Stay Down, just released their latest album, We The Common, in February. Originally from Falls Church, Va., the group, made up of Thao Nguyen and Adam Thompson, collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer John Congleton, who, according to Nguyen, wanted to make a “dangerous party record … [for] a party where you get to the door and you don’t quite know what will happen. You just hear these beats coming though the walls.” The result is a mix of sounds inspired by everything from ’90s East Coast hip-hop to Paul Simon.”
Happy 26th Birthday to today’s Daily SHAG (Smoking Hot Asian Guy), Jay Park! In honor of the singer, dancer, rapper, b-boy, music producer, songwriter, model, choreographer and actor, we’ve put together a collection of something he seems quite proud of- his body. Click on for the Jay Park Shirtless Megapost. Enjoy!
We have posted quite a number of instances where the Asian-American community has been forced to endure racism, negative stereotypes, and even death threats because of our ethnicity. We continue to deal with this ignorance and we plan to keep fighting until such racism has stopped. With that said, it is extremely disappointing to see stuff like this amidst our struggle for equality. Clearly, Asian-Americans are not exempt from the list of people who perpetuate racial ignorance.
In UC Irvine, Asian-American fraternity Lambda Theta Delta released a video where one of the brothers performs Blackface. In addition to this, the video is posted with “Disclaimer: No racism intended” which we personally feel is no excuse (especially in a University where Asian -Americans compromise more than half of the student body population while African-Americans make up less than 3%).
Unfortunately, this isn’t even their first time to create a stir. On Lambda Theta Delta’s 2012 Rush Video, there is blackface yet again and an individual wearing a sombrero and poncho as a costume. (Watch the video here ) Needless to say, the fraternity’s actions has caused chaos. Lambda Theta Delta has released an apology claiming that the video does not represent the views of the house and the individuals responsible for the video have been reprimanded.
As Asian-Americans, we have faced our shared of racism, stereotypes, and racial mockery. Is it not our goal to fight against it rather than turn around and commit these acts towards other people of color? Let us know what you think.
(SOURCE 1, 2)
(PHOTO SOURCE 1)
Spring cleaning’s not just about the house. After a season of over-indulging followed by months spent bundled up under a pile of layers, our bodies need some serious purging and purifying if we ever want to see the light of day.
ISSUE: Spring 2012
DEPT: Mind & Body
STORY: Audrey Staff
Skin
Seaweed is known for its detoxifying and restorative properties; birch as a skin toner and swelling reducer. Both are incorporated into the Seaweed Birch Wrapat Le Posh Salon, an invigorating wakeup call of a treatment. After an exfoliating dry brushing, the seaweed birch mask is painted on and then you’re wrapped in foil. Soon, your body feels like a giant Altoid — the mask is so cooling you’re practically shivering. A hot shower offers relief and your skin is left baby soft. Details Salonleposh.com.
Diet
Everyone from celebs to co-workers tout the purported wonders of the cayenne pepper-maple syrup cleanse. Personally, I think it’s an urban legend. I mean, a spicy, sticky liquid for two weeks? No
wonder you lose weight. Chef and nutritional therapist Gurpareet Bains, has a better idea. In his new book Indian Superspices, the Indian British author of the best-selling book Indian Superfood offers more natural (and tasty) detox remedies incorporating spices that metabolizefat, boost metabolism and suppress appetite. Try his green tea augmented with fat-metabolizing cinnamon and ginger, and appetite-suppressing fennel; the protein packed Prawn and Baby Spinach Quinoa Biryani; or the rich and creamy (yet “almost bereft of fat and calories”) Ultimate Detox Soup. (Go to AudreyMagazine.com/Indian-superspices for the recipe!) Details Gurpareetbains.co.uk.
Courtesy of Ricky’s NYC
Hangovers
There are plenty of hangover remedies. There’s only one that’s FDA-approved. Blowfish is hangover relief in a fizzing tablet you dissolve in water. Because of the effervescent delivery system, the results are more immediate: you rehydrate, a maximum dose of aspirin fights headaches, a neutralizing agent settles your stomach, and you get a hit of caffeine without the acidity of coffee. Staffer Y. Peter Kang gives us his minute-by-minute play-by-play:
10:52 am I just downed the 16 oz of fizzy water. It was not bad.
10:55 am Three minutes. Nothing yet. Still have a monster headache.
10:57 am Whoa, feels like my headache is actually a little worse. Wha??
11:03 am The tide has turned; I think I’m feeling better than pre-ingestion. Also feeling the effects of the caffeine. I can tell because I began reading an article about gold-infused peanuts with great interest.
11:26 am I am caffeinated, but I still have my headache. Started out a 7/10 headache; it’s now down to a 5. Not out of the woods yet.
12:05 pmThe headache’s down to a 3 — it’s dull and lingering. Caffeine was nice. Interesting alternative to drinking a cup of coffee and taking two Advil. Would try again.
Of course, the best hangover remedy is to not get drunk at all. If you think you’re drinking too much too often, you may need to detoxify from drugs and alcohol to achieve a full system cleanse.
Details Forhangovers.com.
Tara Miko Grayless, 35, was stressed out and suffering digestion problems in her job in the fashion industry. After a health food store owner educated her about the power of hemp, she decided to try it. According to Grayless, after several weeks of incorporating the super food into her diet, not only did her digestion improve, but “I lost 10 pounds, my energy levels skyrocketed and I was no longer overwhelmed by stress. My hair took on a new sheen, my nails grew stronger and my [dry] skin had a rosy glow.”
So the Japanese-Irish American started Happy Hemp to share “this gift with the world.” Touted as “the most nutritionally complete food source in the world,” hemp seeds are vegan and gluten-free, and boast nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid (more than flax or any other nut or seed oil), says Grayless. Just sprinkle on yogurt or eat straight out of the bag.
And in case you’re wondering, no, you will not get high off hemp. “Hemp seeds have nothing to do with its distant cousin, marijuana,” says Grayless. “Hemp seeds are legal and you will not test positive on a drug test.” Snack away! Details Happy-hemp.com.
Vision Shock
It seems everyone I know makes a living in front of the computer, and the American Optometric Association confirms that 45 percent of all Americans spend more than five hours per day on a computer. Such prolonged use can lead to something called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), which may include eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus. Add to that the fact that Asian Americans have a very high prevalence of nearsightedness (myopia) — upwards of 70 percent — and are at higher risk for age-related cataracts, according to a 2011 study by Transitions Optical with Wakefield Research. In honor of Save Your Vision Month (March), optometrist Dr. Brian Chouprovides some simple lifestyle changes we can make to minimize our risk for developing eye conditions.
1. We must be aware of the harmful damage that can be caused by the sun’s UV rays. UV rays are present 365 days of the year, whether it’s sunny or cloudy. See your eye doctor annually for a comprehensive exam to check for eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which have been linked to UV exposure. A comprehensive eye exam not only evaluates the need for glasses, but also eye muscle coordination, color-blindness and internal and external eye health, and can help to flag other health-related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
2. Wear protective eyewear covering the entire eye area with UVA/UVB protection, such as sunglasses. If you wear prescription lenses, try Transitions lenses, which are everyday eyeglass lenses that automatically go from clear to dark when outdoors to block 100 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
3. Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water each day to keep both the skin and eyes hydrated.
4. Maintain a balanced diet and be sure to eat fruits and vegetables containing vitamins A, C and E and beta- carotene — important for the body and the eyes.
Wax Eloquent
All of spring’s filmy, sheer clothes are going to make an extra smooth body all the more important. Rose Wu of Oasis Day Spa in New York offers some tips for waxing after a long winter break.
- Prep time: You have to take care of your skin before andafter waxing. If you’ve been shaving, you have to let the hair grow to a certain length so the wax can grip the hair. Exfoliation is very important, as well as personal hygiene, so that there are no ingrown hairs or buildup of dry skin.
- Constancy: Once you start waxing, it’s best to stick to waxing. Don’t shave in between your waxes — it’s bad for your skin and makes it harder to wax in the future.
- What’s trendy: For bikini waxes, the best “style” depends on the client and her preferences. Lately, women are leaning towards leaving some hair, as opposed to a full Brazilian.
Details Oasisdayspanyc.com.
“All Asians look alike.”
Its a phrase that I have personally disliked for as long as I can remember. In fact, many of us are upset by this. We believe that this statement is simply ignorant. We believe that this sort of stereotype comes from the same people who don’t realize that there are various types of Asians. But before we get too angry, it may be a good idea to step back and give this another look.
A beauty pageant held in Daegu, South Korea has 21 contestants competing for the title. The problem? The pageant’s slogan “One Dream, One Face” has a bit too much truth in it. The native judges literally have difficulty telling the girls apart. They claim that they constantly need to check the contestant ID numbers and choosing a winner will be difficult if the girls have such similar faces. While we cannot assume that this plays a factor for these particular contestants, it is important to note that Daegu is known for having amazing plastic surgeons who, apparently, have one set idea of what is beautiful.
This leads us to consider the bigger issue: we are upset that people think all Asians look alike, but do Asian women and Asian plastic surgeons all strive for the same “beautiful face”? Have we created one ideal type of beauty which results in such similar looks? Have we taken part in perpetuating a myth that we hate?
Tell us what you think and click on for some close up pictures of the pageant contestants:
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With Justin Timberlake’s success rising everyday, its no surprise that people everywhere have been jamming out to his new album. But “jamming out” may be an understatement for musician Kevin Lien who went all out for his very impressive acapella cover of JT’s hit song “Mirrors”. Lien’s talent has already gained over 11,000 views within the few days that the cover was released. Lien certainly proves that he’s an artist to keep an eye on.
BOOZE CONTROL
Studies indicate that nearly 40 percent of Asian American women drink alcohol and, while that’s less than the 55.2 percent national average, we are at a higher risk for all sorts of medical issues due to our binge drinking. So why do we do it? Editor Janice Jann investigates.
ISSUE: Winter 2011-12
DEPT: Feature Story
STORY: Janice Jann
As I lean over the toilet bowl, my hair grazing the rim, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the water. “Who is this puke-strewn girl, bleary-eyed and green-faced, with her pajamas on backwards, staring back at me?” I think to myself. I mutter, “Never again, never a—,” before nausea sweeps in.
There have been many morning afters like this in the years I have been drinking, each time steeped with more regret than the last. Most of my peers have stories like mine. Many laugh, “Who hasn’t gone through it?”
As normal as binge drinking has become, new studies indicate that Asian American women may want to hold off on that second cocktail the next time they drink for reasons more than just avoiding the toilet bowl the next morning.
Since its first season in 2009, Superstar K has become Asia’s largest and most popular audition program. Last season, Superstar K4 reached over 2 million applicants. The show has discovered artists such as Seo In Guk, Huh Gak, Ulala Session, Busker Busker and Roy Kim.
Much to the excitement of applicants, CJ E&M has announced that its music channel Mnet has opened up applications for the audition. Now in its 5th season, Superstar K has decided to take its auditions global- anyone around the world can apply for Superstar K5 simply by installing the mobile application “Mnet Star” OR you can upload a video clip/ recording file of yourself singing on Mnet’s official global website ‘M Wave’. This year, global auditions will be held in the US (Los Angeles, NewYork, and Boston) and Vancouver, Canada. Regional preliminaries will be held from April to July and the first episode of Superstar K5 is scheduled to be broadcast in August.
Check out the teaser below and find out more info on the M Wave website.
Since we love our readers, we decided that instead of giving you just one Daily S.H.A.G. (Smoking Hot Asian Guy) we’d give you two. We bring you Yoshi and Peter Adrian Sudarso (yes, they’re brothers!) While we often see the Sudarso brothers with their shirt off (We’re not kidding- check out their youtube videos. You won’t be disappointed) the boys show us that they look just as good with a shirt on. With advertising like this, who wouldn’t want to purchase some Wong Fu merchandise? Click here to get your hands on your own Nice Guy Tee and brighten up your day by clicking on to see more pictures of the Sudarso bros:
You may know Kim Soo Hyun as Dream High’s Song SamDong. Well he’s certainly left behind the awkward country boy look for this Marie Claire photoshoot. Soo Hyun graced the streets of Paris with his bright fashion style. Click on to see more:
