Chinese Movies and C-Pop Thread, Let's take a break here from the politics Options

[DOUBLEMINT]

I miss the good old days.Actress these days are fugly,and they all tend to wear waaaaaaay too much make-up which makes them even fuglier.

[qwerty2010]

Poetic songs sound way better after you know the lyrics. 但願人長久 has really grown on me. I also got hooked on 我願意 and 給自己的情書. qwerty2010, I think you can add a directory to your OP like the one in my signature so we can keep listening to the songs with lyrics you've posted even after the thread has grown bigger.

SONE is someone who appreciates the meaning of Soshibond. In other words, 少女時代 fan.

The distinction between artists and idols in K-pop has gotten weaker lately as "talented idols" have gained popularity. My relevant posts are here and here. K-indie as opposed to K-pop is a broad term that lumps independent non-dance pop artists who determine the orientation of their own music. Who would you pick for the most popular C-pop idol/group today?

It's a good idea - how did you add the directory to the OP? I have to go to Settings, right?

但願人長久 is actually written by a well-known Sung Dynasty poet Su Dong Bo, who was troubled by the nasty politics in the Imperial Court ("Chilly in the High Palaces") and who missed his brother. He is also famous for inventing a pork belly dish that is elaborately cooked in 3 different ways to achieve a smokey, stewed, melt-in-your-mouth texture...Dong Bo Pork, which was shown in the film "Eat Drink Man Woman".

I love 我願意 so much...I hope one day to sing it to someone I love madly until he cringes, in such a way that he *never* forgets.... It's that kind of song! You should try it on your girl friend, i.e. keep a certain song in your heart for that moment.

Ah, ok... SNSD is fun, but the problem with pop MVs in general is that they are too much of a "show", a performance, great for entertainment, but when I want to listen to music, I really seek out the music alone, and for the voice that could carry me away somewhere. This is why 實力 like Jam Hsiao really make me weak in the knees. He also happens to be an "idol".


Some of my faves of his :

Fantasia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4QDeVeL9ns

Queen王妃

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOoHEZ9uZas

As for C-Pop, I am more familiar with Taiwanese musicians, like SodaGreen, so the other Chinese members are probably better at Mainland Pop, and Hong Kong members are better at Canto-Pop.

My own parents were Taiwanese music fans, from 張雨生 to 羅大佑, who was famous for writing rock songs that recalled June 4th, 1989, the following songs are all from this CD.

Check out this video, the beginning credits for 棋王, it's awesome :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LbbJJicbIQ...feature=related


This is also a great oldie, he has such a unique voice, definitely 實力 :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VWm6UHZGoE...feature=related

And this from one of Chow Yuen Fatt's most famous films, "Goodbye Ah Lang":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVrLSKQuoY...feature=related

My own faves include Alan Dawa Dolma,incredible vocals, she is beautiful too, 實力+idol :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADEPvS8Ssj0...feature=related

Idol pretty girl 張紹涵, not bad at times :

不痛
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVy0jF6sTQ...feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v3YUTwPTdw...;feature=fvwrel



Also like Tank, they are idols with 實力 :

終極一班
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REmbUersKfU...feature=related

三國戀 Romance of 3 Kingdoms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s3naGHqOu4...feature=related

Of course not to forget S.H.E.,:

This MV is super corny, but has some riffs from one of the most famous classical Chinese piece 十面埋伏:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoEOY90Byz0...feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xvud7uqWNw

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Nov 24 2011, 11:14 AM

[doggyji]

I know Alan is a Tibetan-Chinese singer signed with Avex. It seems they call her unique vocal technique "Tibetan wail". This must be her Japanese debut single.

[2007][MV] Alan "明日への讃歌"

It's a good idea - how did you add the directory to the OP? I have to go to Settings, right?

You can get the individual URL for each post by clicking the little link on the top right corner that looks like "Post #123".

但願人長久 is actually written by a well-known Sung Dynasty poet Su Dong Bo, who was troubled by the nasty politics in the Imperial Court ("Chilly in the High Palaces") and who missed his brother. He is also famous for inventing a pork belly dish that is elaborately cooked in 3 different ways to achieve a smokey, stewed, melt-in-your-mouth texture...Dong Bo Pork, which was shown in the film "Eat Drink Man Woman".

Dong Bo Pork? It looks tricky to cook. Have you tried it?

I love 我願意 so much...I hope one day to sing it to someone I love madly until he cringes, in such a way that he *never* forgets.... It's that kind of song! You should try it on your girl friend, i.e. keep a certain song in your heart for that moment.

That sounds a bit perverted.

Ah, ok... SNSD is fun, but the problem with pop MVs in general is that they are too much of a "show", a performance, great for entertainment, but when I want to listen to music, I really seek out the music alone, and for the voice that could carry me away somewhere. This is why 實力 like Jam Hsiao really make me weak in the knees. He also happens to be an "idol".

I know what you mean but SNSD has many non-dance pop songs, too, and some of them are serious singers. People use the word "idol" in different contexts so there's some ambiguity about it.

G.E.M. (鄧紫棋). has a nice voice for R&B.



G.E.M. YouTube Channel

[qwerty2010]

I know Alan is a Tibetan-Chinese singer signed with Avex. It seems they call her unique vocal technique "Tibetan wail". This must be her Japanese debut single.

Alan has something more than just a pretty face and a strong voice, a certain character from her Tibetan background, which is why I like her! She interpreted some great tracks by 菊池一仁, who spotted and "packaged" her :

A recent hit
落單的翅膀
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETfBeuMbKJA...feature=related

You can get the individual URL for each post by clicking the little link on the top right corner that looks like "Post #123".

Ugh, that sounds like a lot of work...since this thread is pinned, I hope it lives on even if I'm not around to keep it alive..it's a kind of chronicle too, of C-Pop

Dong Bo Pork? It looks tricky to cook. Have you tried it?

Yes I have, but it is SUPER FAT. I don't mind it though, food must be enjoyed! I tried cooking it, but I can't get the right texture as the best chefs. It must be blanched/boiled till soft but firm, deep fried till it's browned to seal in the juices, and then slowly stewed with a sauce of soya, rice wine, sugar and herbs till it melts in the mouth but not greasy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongpo_pork

That sounds a bit perverted.

Ah no, when I heard the song 我願意, I was really moved by the depth of feelings expressed in it. That's what a truly good song does, I think. It must be a privilege to be able to fall so deeply in love, so I hope it happens to me one day! I would wish that for everyone. What's perverted is obsession and stalking, that's different from "love", don't know what leads to that....

I know what you mean but SNSD has many non-dance pop songs, too, and some of them are serious singers. People use the word "idol" in different contexts so there's some ambiguity about it.

Would be great to see it as a genre, perhaps you can do it on K-Pop Thread?

G.E.M. (鄧紫棋). has a nice voice for R&B.

Yes she does! She is too "American" for me though, like a Mariah Carey or Coco Lee type, while I prefer a more "Asian" style of pop, if that makes sense.

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Nov 26 2011, 08:01 AM

[doggyji]

Spam invasion!

Alan has something more than just a pretty face and a strong voice, a certain character from her Tibetan background, which is why I like her! She interpreted some great tracks by 菊池一仁, who spotted and "packaged" her :

A recent hit

落單的翅膀

No mysterious wailing?! She's so charming.

Ah no, when I heard the song 我願意, I was really moved by the depth of feelings expressed in it. That's what a truly good song does, I think. It must be a privilege to be able to fall so deeply in love, so I hope it happens to me one day! I would wish that for everyone. What's perverted is obsession and stalking, that's different from "love", don't know what leads to that....

I'm just pulling your leg. Sing 我願意 on YouTube first so we can judge if it's good enough to let your boyfriend hear lol

Would be great to see it as a genre, perhaps you can do it on K-Pop Thread?

You mean you want to check out SNSD songs that are not upbeat dance pop? I have already posted a lot of SNSD songs in K-Chat. These are my favorite ballad live stages.

SNSD "Complete"
SNSD "영원히 너와 꿈꾸고 싶다" (Forever)
SNSD "Dear Mom"
SNSD "Born To Be A Lady"

Video links for Taeyeon's singing were carefully chosen by me in this post.

Yes she does! She is too "American" for me though, like a Mariah Carey or Coco Lee type, while I prefer a more "Asian" style of pop, if that makes sense.

I dig her soul voice. I tend to like a lot of things. Do you like Jay Chou? I've heard his name a lot.

Tang Wei won 2 awards in Korea this year. She attended the Blue Dragon Film Awards yesterday. Sweet.



This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 26 2011, 11:56 PM

[qwerty2010]

Spam invasion!

Yes...I wonder if there isn't a simple way to block it...

No mysterious wailing?! She's so charming.

Unfortunately, I suspect she has to suppress the ethnic Tibetan style and be more commercial in order to make it...but still, what a voice. She is leaving Japan too, apparently, she isn't able to overcome the difficulties.

I'm just pulling your leg. Sing 我願意 on YouTube first so we can judge if it's good enough to let your boyfriend hear lol

Haha....no way, I have a horrible voice, high-pitched and whiny, once I was singing in the shower and my family came banging at the door because they thought I slipped, got hurt and was screaming for help...I am trying hard to change it!

You mean you want to check out SNSD songs that are not upbeat dance pop? I have already posted a lot of SNSD songs in K-Chat. These are my favorite ballad live stages.

SNSD "Complete"
SNSD "영원히 너와 꿈꾸고 싶다" (Forever)
SNSD "Dear Mom"
SNSD "Born To Be A Lady"

They sound meaningful, though it helps more with lyrics.

This one's nice, reminds me of my own parents!
Dear Mom with Chinese subs :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CdNP_cp8xU...feature=related

Video links for Taeyeon's singing were carefully chosen by me in this post.

She does have a great voice, not a girly voice, but quite strong and expressive. I'll check out the links, thanks!

I dig her soul voice. I tend to like a lot of things. Do you like Jay Chou? I've heard his name a lot.

We have some great Jay Chou in this thread too, if you can sift through the spam. He is very popular atm, but some of us are not too keen on his recent album, too cg...

Here's a favourite of mine, "Fearless", in which Jet Li played a well-known historic character, Jay Chou sings Chinese opera falsetto here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMz9zlAni3Q...feature=related

Tang Wei won 2 awards in Korea this year. She attended the Blue Dragon Film Awards yesterday. Sweet.

Have you watched all the Ang Lee movies? They are amazing, he is one of the best directors. Check out his earlier works, "Pushing Hands", "The Wedding Banquet", "Eat Drink Man Woman", they are all different, more light-hearted, and all featured great actresses.

See "Eat Drink Man Woman" here, before it's removed. It made me very hungry...! Can you spot the Dong Bo Pork in the opening credits?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN3WS_2LM0Y...feature=related

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Nov 27 2011, 10:55 AM

[machpunch777]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mnFHclG4o

this is a good song

[doggyji]

Gosh, mods finally removed the spam mountain.

Here's a favourite of mine, "Fearless", in which Jet Li played a well-known historic character, Jay Chou sings Chinese opera falsetto here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMz9zlAni3Q...feature=related

That reminds me of 京劇. I haven't watched Jet Li movies recently. Is he still active?

Have you watched all the Ang Lee movies? They are amazing, he is one of the best directors. Check out his earlier works, "Pushing Hands", "The Wedding Banquet", "Eat Drink Man Woman", they are all different, more light-hearted, and all featured great actresses.

See "Eat Drink Man Woman" here, before it's removed. It made me very hungry...! Can you spot the Dong Bo Pork in the opening credits?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN3WS_2LM0Y...feature=related

I know 飲食男女 is one of 李安's well-known movies. I haven't actually watched it. I didn't know its English title is literally "Eat Drink Man Woman" lol Gonna watch it tonight.

This post has been edited by doggyji: Nov 30 2011, 10:41 PM

[qwerty2010]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5mnFHclG4o

this is a good song

It's a catchy song and great MV, though I wish there was more of Lhasa and less of the sexy singer prancing around in cargo pants!

Gosh, mods finally removed the spam mountain.

That reminds me of 京劇. I haven't watched Jet Li movies recently. Is he still active?

I know 飲食男女 is one of 李安's well-known movies. I haven't actually watched it. I didn't know its English title is literally "Eat Drink Man Woman" lol Gonna watch it tonight.

If you have never watched "Fearless", you MUST! I personally think it is one of Jet Li's best movies, and it is based on a true character and historical facts. It isn't the typical wirefu stuff, there're few special effects except for some fast editing, and it showcases a variety of fighting styles from different cultures. It has a strong narrative, with a lot of grey areas and unexpected plot twists. At its heart is a deep philosophical pondering on he meaning of vengeance. I'd give it 5 stars!

Here's the film on Youtube in English catch it soon :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85O1MTvlyqA...feature=related

Hope you enjoyed Eat Drink Man Woman - it is warm and light-hearted, and I *LOVE* the actress who brilliantly portrayed the Shanghainese mother-in-law from hell!

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Dec 2 2011, 08:31 AM

[doggyji]

I finished watching both movies. I didn't know simply watching a competent chef cooking hot food can be so entertaining. I wish there were a lot more cooking scenes in 飲食男女. I realize I haven't been exposed to a number of Chinese cuisines yet. It would be worth to travel all across China just to taste different dishes in different regions. Is the traditional Taiwanese food close to Fujian food in mainland? One interesting thing I have noticed is that Chinese guys seem to be good at cooking. In Chinese households, is it usual for fathers to cook dinner?

The Jet Li movie was good although I would still choose 精武英雄 as his best movie ever. It's interesting to know 霍元甲 founded Chin Woo and it is one of the world's biggest Wushu organizations in the world today. Btw, did every men at that time really have that half-bald Qing haircut?

This post has been edited by doggyji: Dec 8 2011, 04:52 AM

[DOUBLEMINT]

New Pantene comercial.Ive watched it like a thousand times.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzI5Njg0NDA0.html


Fan Bingbing!!Muamuamua.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjI1OTM4ODUy.html

[TruthNeverKnown]

I finished watching both movies. I didn't know simply watching a competent chef cooking hot food can be so entertaining. I wish there were a lot more cooking scenes in 飲食男女. I realize I haven't been exposed to a number of Chinese cuisines yet. It would be worth to travel all across China just to taste different dishes in different regions. Is the traditional Taiwanese food close to Fujian food in mainland? One interesting thing I have noticed is that Chinese guys seem to be good at cooking. In Chinese households, is it usual for fathers to cook dinner?

The Jet Li movie was good although I would still choose 精武英雄 as his best movie ever. It's interesting to know 霍元甲 founded Chin Woo and it is one of the world's biggest Wushu organizations in the world today. Btw, did every men at that time really have that half-bald Qing haircut?

Good to know you are interested in C-movies.
Are you a fan of Wuxia(武侠) movies? That is a type of pop culture only in China I think
Check this out, 新龙门客栈 one of the best I've ever seen.
A new version is coming.

[InitialDJay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXI-dd-OR-8

listen to it. he's a good singer.

[qwerty2010]

I finished watching both movies. I didn't know simply watching a competent chef cooking hot food can be so entertaining. I wish there were a lot more cooking scenes in 飲食男女. I realize I haven't been exposed to a number of Chinese cuisines yet. It would be worth to travel all across China just to taste different dishes in different regions. Is the traditional Taiwanese food close to Fujian food in mainland? One interesting thing I have noticed is that Chinese guys seem to be good at cooking. In Chinese households, is it usual for fathers to cook dinner?

The Jet Li movie was good although I would still choose 精武英雄 as his best movie ever. It's interesting to know 霍元甲 founded Chin Woo and it is one of the world's biggest Wushu organizations in the world today. Btw, did every men at that time really have that half-bald Qing haircut?

I wish there were more scenes from the cooking too, it's amazing the lengths to which the chef goes to obtain just the right textures and flavours. However, the Shanghainese lady cracked me up, reminds me of some Shanghainese relatives I know...

I don't think Chinese men are good cooks, not the ones in my family anyway, but I think as professional chefs, the men are better, even though females are supposedly more sensitive towards tastes and flavours. Cooking is HARD work...it takes strength and stamina, and the amount of work is simply too exhausting. Also, females tend to be conservative and less adventurous in pursuing tastes - I can't eat much meat at all, they taste too strong for me.

But yes, it is a dream to travel to all the places that willliu featured in that Superthread with photographs from across China, and to savour all the different regional cuisines. I traveled to Yunan and Lijiang before, and the food is simply unbelievably good. I had yak, fish and wild mushrooms and fresh mountain milk....just astonishing!

I haven't watched 精武英雄 yet, but I think I will try to catch it soon. I like Fuo Yuanjia because the martial arts scenes were SO good, and it has a strong story and character development, not just an action flick. Hopefully, 精武英雄 is similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXI-dd-OR-8

listen to it. he's a good singer.

I like 张杰 too! My favourite is this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8vLPhZB6wU...feature=related

This post has been edited by qwerty2010: Dec 15 2011, 01:56 AM

[faydabakery]

I miss the good old days.Actress these days are fugly,and they all tend to wear waaaaaaay too much make-up which makes them even fuglier.

It's because everything is shot in HD so all actors/actresses have to rely on makeup more now.

[DOUBLEMINT]

It's because everything is shot in HD so all actors/actresses have to rely on makeup more now.

And chinese show biz's horrible lighting skill doesnt help either.

[DOUBLEMINT]

http://www.yinyuetai.com/playlist/178472
长路漫漫伴你闯，哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦哦~

[DOUBLEMINT]

2011's most popular dramas online,results from youku.com:
01 倾世皇妃 629,296,669 -----------------------M
02 裸婚时代 488,532,020 --------------------M
03 回家的诱惑 475,017,832 ------------M(Its a remake of a korean drama i think?)
04 新还珠格格 397,123,487 -------------------M
05 夏家三千金 341,261,674---------------------M
06 宫 309,104,216 ------------------------M
07 武则天秘史 290,025,328 --------------M
08 步步惊心 271,272,351 --------------M
09 蜗居 242,016,112 -----------------------M
10 雪豹 241,834,948 -----------------------M
11 后宫 239,492,896 --------------------M
12 美人心计 201,417,512 -------------M
13 女娲传说之灵珠 188,803,153 -----------M
14 新水浒传 184,844,002 --------------M
15 法证先锋 第三部 173,949,088 ------HK
16 仙剑奇侠传 第三部 169,184,350 ----------M
17 海派甜心 152,392,632 ------------------TW
18 家的N次方 142,042,740 ---------------M
19 千山暮雪 134,534,478 --------------------M
20 青春期撞上更年期 132,676,663 --------------M
21 一起来看流星雨 132,639,748 -----------------M
22 乡村爱情 第四部 132,461,339 -----------
23 爱情公寓 128,233,906 ----------------M
24 我的灿烂人生 125,856,379 -------------------TW
25 我是特种兵 120,726,469 -----------------------M
26 爱情公寓 第二季 118,175,665 -------------M
27 活佛济公2 112,748,168 ----------------------HK
28 潜行狙击 106,774,348 ---------------------HK
29 城市猎人 106,328,940 ---------------------KR
30 无懈可击之美女如云 105,521,052 ----------------M
31 爱上查美乐 102,698,413 ------------------------TW
32 中国地 93,692,745 ----------------------------M
33 一起又看流星雨 90,018,630 ------------------------M
34 单身公主相亲记 89,471,476 ----------------------TW
35 醉后决定爱上你 88,313,318 --------------------TW
36 士兵突击 84,798,024 -----------------------------M
37 当婆婆遇上妈 78,825,778 ------------------------M
38 彩虹甜心 78,325,614 ---------------------------TW
39 神探狄仁杰 77,998,804 ----------------M
40 阳光天使 77,986,889 ------------------------------TW
41 我可能不会爱你 77,827,971 ---------------------TW
42 杨贵妃秘史 76,707,879 ------------------------------M
43 碧波仙子 75,133,004 ------------------------------M
44 无懈可击之高手如林 74,884,551 --------------------------M
45 篮球火 73,075,868 ---------------------------------TW
46 法证先锋 第二部 71,670,768 -------------------------HK
47 铁齿铜牙纪晓岚 第四部 69,869,114 -----------------M
48 亮剑 68,872,695 -------------------------------M
49 怪侠一枝梅 68,821,055 ------------------------M
50 万凰之王 67,460,527 ---------------------------HK

This post has been edited by DOUBLEMINT: Dec 21 2011, 05:50 AM

[faydabakery]

G.E.M. (鄧紫棋). has a nice voice for R&B.



G.E.M. YouTube Channel

She's got a nice voice. Sadly, the first song I listened to was All About You and they killed the song at the end by auto tuning her voice. Totally unnecessary. I've never been that into pop music though.