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The collaboration between director Lee Sang-il and cinematographer Hong Kyung-po, “Wandering,” was so perfect that it provoked envy in “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho.   Based on a best-selling Japanese novel “Rurou no Tsuki” (2022), “Wandering” is a Korean-Japanese production starring Hirose Suzu and Matsuzaka Tori. The film tells the story of two misunderstood adults who have nobody to turn to except each other. Director Lee and cinematographer Hong have made a bold statement about child abuse and domestic violence in this adaptation of a Japanese bestseller. In portraying an unlikely bond between two people who are misunderstood by society but also each other, “Wandering” shows that who we are as human beings is not defined by anyone else and that freedom is something we have to seek for ourselves. Hong was the cinematographer on "Parasite." Bong praised his work on “Wandering” and said he was “jealous” of the work that Hong and Lee did together in a press release.   ...

Throw together a nerdy guy with a superpower, a purehearted girl who falls for him and his best friend who’s been secretly in love with him since childhood, and you’ve got a typical setup for a love triangle, variations of which can be found in many a manga and movie. In Keiichi Kobayashi’s quirky rom-com “Love Is Light,” which was adapted from a manga series by the mononymous Akieda, this story plays out in ways fresh and charming, despite its familiarity. Wisely, the film focuses more on its protagonist's tortured personal journey than his predictable final destination. Formidably smart and excruciatingly polite, university student Saijo (Fuju Kamio) has an unusual intellectual interest: the definition of love, and not only in the dictionary sense. His curiosity stems from his mysterious ability (though he considers it a curse) to gauge feelings of love in the women around him by the tiny globules of light they emit. But what, he wonders, does this light really mean? Mere sexual ...

The colorfully candid and always audacious Erika Sawajiri, is apparently in talks to play her fellow mesmerizing mogul Ayumi Hamasaki in a biographical drama series! Back in August a biographical novel about Ayu called “M – subeki hito ga ite (There is A Lovable Person)” was released. One of the big revelations from the book was that at one point she was romantically involved with avex’s head honcho Max Matsuura. A drama adaptation of the novel will be produced by TV Asahi, and is slated to make it’s debut in April with the Spring drama lineup. Yahoo! Singapore has reported that the top actress in the running to play Ayu is none other than Erika herself! Both Ayu and Erika are under avex so there is a slight connection there, Ayu’s hit “Evolution” was also used as the theme song for Erika’s comeback film “Helter Skelter“. Additionally, Ayu’s song “HEAVEN” was used as the theme for the 2005 film “Shinobi” which also starred Erika. AKB48 mastermind Yasushi Akimoto commented that the nove...

Visiting Japanese actress Haruna Kawaguchi was named Taiwan's latest goodwill ambassador Tuesday to attract more tourists from Japan after COVID travel curbs were lifted, according to the island's Tourism Bureau. Commending the food in Taiwan and the friendliness and kindness of the Taiwanese people, Kawaguchi said at a press conference in Taipei she is "very happy and honored" to be the island's tourism ambassador to promote its charms to Japanese people. She was on her second visit to the island. With entry restrictions lifted and tourists back in Taiwan after more than two and a half years of border controls, the Tourism Bureau's Deputy Director General Trust H.J. Lin said Kawaguchi will work on an approximate five-day video shoot in Taiwan for the Japanese market. "While in Taiwan, I hope she tries all the food she wants to eat, sees beautiful sights and scenery, and is involved in the activities she likes, so she can send to Japan through video foota...

Ayumi Hamasaki, a Japanese music diva, revealed a new single titled “Nonfiction” just in time for her the 24th anniversary of her debut. The single also received a music video directed by Hideaki Sunaga on April 22. Ayumi Hamasaki’s debut single “poker face” came out on April 8, 1998, the same year as her first album “A Song for ××” but also her second album which was titled “Loveppears.” Made in Japan was her most recent album, and it came out in 2016. As part of the celebrations for the 24th anniversary of the beginning of her professional career, Hamasaki performed at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama on April 6. During this concert, she sang not only her debut single but also the track “from your letter” that has been never been performed live before. This track was also included in her debut album. Blu-ray and DVD of the performance will be out on July 1, 2022, and are now available for pre-order. WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE WEBSITE W...