Li Yuanxi, Liu Xijun, and Zheng Shuang are the second group to film for the eeMedia family MV
So apparently the “Winter/New Years” MV will actually have most of the eeMedia family but they’re being filmed separately, because it’s easier to coordinate. And eeMedia is really impressing me with how well-coordinated it’s become. Last year was a lot of firsts for the company and it showed. The previous MV was cute, but with stock outfits and everyone looked more tired than happy. The New Years concert also turned out messy. But this year everything in Long Danni’s plan for the company seems to have just about fallen into place and hopefully this year the New Years concert will be better too.
Continuing the tradition from the last post, have a bit of Top Combine: new individual pics. Their album release date is confirmed as Dec. 13th, which is also coincidentally, Kimi Qiao Renliang‘s album release date. He also released new album pics. The boys aren’t trying to spread out at all are they?
Since most people who come to this site know Liu Xijun and Zheng Shuang, I’ll just give a brief description for Li Yuanxi (the one splashing Liu Xijun). She seems to be the only confirmed member of the eeMedia girlgroup – the “female version of Top Combine”. She was also one of my favorites in Supergirls 2009 because she was one of the smartest, planning each step she took. I love self-directed artists, simply because they last longer in the business, so I’m looking forward to see what she can do. According to one article, the girlband members will be announced at the Hunan TV New Years concert.
And some new Wang Yuexin ones from the last batch came out, since his assistant takes a lot of his pictures at events to keep his fans updated and from going crazy at the lack of an album. His fans are pretty patient though. ^^ I’m sticking them here since they fit with the water theme. And of course because I am utterly biased towards this boy. Come back with an album in 2010 ok?
oh wa~! the pics look really cute! i’m looking forward to it, it’s nice to see zheng shuang and liu xijun together!…they all look like they are having sooo much fun…Wang Yuexin pics looks really nice too, cute as always…hehe..that’s cool, so li yuanxi will be in a band…i wonder who will be the other members?….does anyone know how many members there will be in the group?
OMG Those are my fave 3 (new)girls from EEmedia.
Ooohh…they’re announcing the members on the NY concert?!?!! Do you think they’ll all be Super Girls?
I wonder how they’re filming Jiang Yingrong’s?
@julie
probably…there’s enough talent from them… though I wouldn’t mind if they stole Jinzhu Zhuoma or Baha Guli from Jiayou! Dragon Angels.
That’s what was said in the article (I emailed it to idarklight assuming I’d be able to find it later – but I can’t) – that the girlband will be announced then.
Of course it could all be bs like last year when they said they’d announce the H4/F4/whatever 4 then, and didn’t, but like I said – eeMedia really grew this year into something organized, whereas last year Long Danni had just taken over, and everything was a first-time deal. First group MV, first NY concert, and first tv series (so hopefully Meteor Shower 2 will be much better). So this year – I’m expecting them to keep their promise.
Besides, last year the auditions probably weren’t finished for Meteor Shower. This year, the entire Supergirls 2009 competition was an audition to put it bluntly. They were planning who could fill certain positions throughout the whole thing.
@idarklight: Jinzhu and Guli and soooo cute! But I feel like Super Girls are more talented whereas the jiayou dragon angel is more looks. So I’m rooting for them to stick with Super Girls
Do you think Liu Xijun is going the solo route. She has the talent to do so.
Is there going to be a Super Boys in 2010? I really hope so!!!!!!!!
@julie
I think Jinzhu Zhuoma is fairly talented. She was on Tian Tian Xiang Shang once (same episode that Pan Hongyue was on)
Both Baha Guli and Quni Ciren actually tried out for Super Girls. Baha Guli got knocked out because she can’t sing….but she’s so pretty.
I’m glad everything is working out, but this kind of company wide gathering for holiday album and MV … is that typical? Or is there not enough similar music companies in China to compare? Because the more I read about them, about the way they function, well … it reminds me more and more of that kpop idol factories. The training methods and promotion methods, and even the way Super Girl (&Super Boy) worked out this year, it’s like the whole casting system they have in Korea, except on television where the public acts as one of the judge. Also, what are they doing with Wang Yuexin? I keep thinking that maybe he’s in school, because he really is a lot younger then the other guys. But he’s 20 now, it’s about time they re-debut him! Or do you think they’re waiting on the new Super Boys so they can put him in a group? NO!
@Julie: I think Liu Xijun is adorable but I see her more in a group then solo right now, but she does have an album out (I think). But I really want Yu Kewei to make an official album debut already! She’s my fav out of all the girls from this season. Also, the girls from Jiayou! Dragon Angels did seem to get picked for their looks but they’re not talentless. The audition looked more like a beauty pageant then an audition, but I guess the two shows are looking for different types of talents.
Cfensi, I know you’re a eeMedia family fan, but what’s going on with the boys from My Hero? I know Ma Tian Yu is in school, and BOBO & Kimi &Li YiFeng are making albums, but what are the others doing? Especially Xiao Bo?
@chinkirox – It’s kinda similar to Kpop companies, but the difference, and what has always been the important difference, is that people come in with more raw talent. They don’t need too much training – just enough to make them polished (Jane didn’t even need that). And most go to be soloists – not groups – which have a harder time lasting in the industry unless they can compose (TC is lucky they have Ma Xueyang). This frees up funds for the company to put more money into the songs.
The company also encourages creativity and artistry- everyone in Top Combine has tried to contribute creatively to the new album. If it changes – well, then I’ll be mad. But so far eeMedia balance the idol-ness well with the artistry. It’s like SM back in the HOT days.
It’s not the promotion techniques that I have an issue with in Kpop (well, except for the variety shows). They promote well. It’s the packaging. You guys think so much in terms of black and white. Just use logic, common sense. Does making a group MV really interfere with the development of eeMedia artists as artists? No.
Entertainment is a balance. Do I want people that only have skill but are flat and can’t reach the audience? No. Do I want packaged idols that can only entertain to some degree but have no artistry? No. It’s not enough to be have a good voice – For example, Wang Zhengliang is boring as hell, and has boring compositions. He has a nice voice, but overall, he’s just sort of blah. Nothing makes him stand out. I think Yu Kewei’s also kind of boring tbh.
China has tons of people with great voices – I think there needs to be more people who either have one in a million voices, or people who are all-around and charismatic enough to last in the industry. The names that stay on people’s lips from China’s past are those like Han Hong, who had the power, passion and performance ability to match skill.
@chinkirox
I only post bigger news. Xiaobo had a photoshoot and he’s doing some sort of play. Other people are doing smaller things. Zhang Xiaochen is in the new Water Margin. I can’t post on everybody – it’s too much work. I’m ready to throw in the towel as it is. Not everyone is relevant to Chinese entertainment as a whole, even if I like them, so why post?
is it just me but i find LXJ eyes are so wierd? and wow she have super skinny arms but she kinda have a “tummy” well not really but i mean usually i see girls that put that shirt like that, usually that have a nice waist/body but her isn’t @_@
@nancy: I agree that Liu XiJun does have a tummy; maybe she should start hitting the gym, but the size of her arms is pretty normal to me. As for her eyes, I think they’re fine; they’re just wide and far apart.
@cfensi: I agree that EEMedia differs from the Kpop companies. The artists under EEMedia were not chosen when they were in their pre-adolescent years and their talent is definitely more raw as compared to the Kpop ones.
What happened to the post about the Mulan movie? It suddenly disappeared.
@Ivana B. Anonymous
It was privatized for two main reasons.
1) If you didn’t read them – I left two ranty comments in reply to your comment I’m not sorry for. But I don’t want the latest post on this site to be filled with negativity.
2) I figure if you didn’t read then there plenty more people who probably only read the headline and not the actual content. Thus – no point to it being up.
It will be deprivatized in a week, when I am done with exams, and then you can read the post and we can discuss it. Right now, I don’t have the time to think about it further.
@ Cfensi:
- Huh? Where do you figure that that I only read the headline and not the content of the article?
- Secondly, I was responding in regards to some of the comments on the article, not purposely just the article.
- Well, good luck with your exams.
^Oh, and I think it’s good to add that negativity isn’t always a bad thing.
You need criticism to evolve, and China has a lot to improve. They’re progressing, but at the moment, I don’t see that it has reached its potential yet.
Well of course China’s not reached it’s full potential yet. Where’s the fun in running this blog and tracking its progress if it did that?
But I’d like to note criticism is not the only way to track progress and your criticism did not take into account a lot of things. You’ll see where I got PISSED off when I deprivatize the post, and I was referring to my negativity not yours. But if I do that now, you’ll want to discuss it, which I’m fine with….but not when I need the time to study.
So please be patient, and see you in a week.
Yay… We’ve calmed down!
I guess this isn’t really related, but BOBO was on Happy Camp again. YAY!
*runs off to watch it*
@julie
They were so painfully separated twice. T_T
@Julie: yea i saw that ep! i was so excited b/c it said BOBO but they didn’t get the full ep & they were separated to fit the show’s theme instead of the show setting up a theme for them. It was the same the last time they were on the show, they were only part of the special on campus music.
Ya…but they got like an hour…which was better than last time I think. I didn’t like how they got separated though.
But OMG, Super Brother Zuhe is so cute. LOL
@chinkirox
That’s generally how it’s done, though. Most Happy Camp shows consists of two or three segments with different guests for each one. Generally one is famous and the other random interesting people.
@julie
I thought last time was infinitely more adorable. There’s something special about BOBO being together, and it’s just not the same when they’re miles apart. The “gray space” and “today I will marry you” made me spazz though. The marriage song almost made me cry because their duo history just flashed in my mind as that song went on.
SB made me sad for many reasons. The greater identification with people of a different heritage as opposed to one who’s across the strait is really sinking into me. I’ve recently seen a lot of Taiwanese TV shows and real people bash mainland as if it were natural and normal. It’s so sad that one group of people would say that about another group that is so similar to them.
for the BOBO act => I like how even when they are suppose to be paired off with the girls, they were still singing or talking to each other, it was so cute! and Boaer’s nose thing was so cute! (total fan girl mode right now) ^_^
@Julie: I KNOW! AREN’T THEY! I like the girls too, loved the little girl’s imitation lmao. But they were kind of annoying at the end b/c they wouldn’t let the boys perform (to a point where wei jia had to “hug” them back if you saw that part) but the boys were such gentlemen. They’re gonna be quite the looker when they grow up. they should have done SHINee’s Noona’s Pretty, those older sisters in the front row would have loved it lol
@idarklight: idk what SB is but I’m sorry it made you sad. I don’t really want to start on politics on here. But I guess this isn’t really about politics, it’s about manners. And the comments are made so casually that you don’t really catch it until they’ve moved on. Even if they have a problem with mainland it is still REALLY rude so talk like that on public television (about anyone). Also, some of the shows I heard rude comments on are watched by the younger generation, it’s really sad that this is what they are exposed to before they get a chance to decide for themselves.
sb= superboys LOL
I’m going to stalk super brother now even though they’re way younger than me.
Once the mainlands music/entertainment industry developes, I bet we are going to see less bashing. That’s why I’m supporting basically any new artist or group, even if some are a little lacking in talent.
Oh really is kind of random but I hate how most Chinese are ashamed of being Chinese when Japanese/Koreans…etc aren’t.
In my sat English class, everyone there is Chinese and the teacher is American. When the teacher asked what lAnguage they speak at home, like 90% of the people were like “my parents speak to me in Chinese and I reply in English. Or they refuse to admit that they speak Chinese frequently.
And then at school, you see Koreans speaking Korean to one another, Japanese talking in Japanese… And Chinese talking in English.
I feel like theirs something wrong with their selfesteem. It’s really bugging me. There’s nothing wrong with knowing chinese.
Sorry for my rant
@chinkirox/julie
Oh, I was talking about Super Brothers. How Korean-influenced they were at such a young age is sad. And I can’t help but thinking that there isn’t a HanGeng in the group is because HanGeng’s from mainland. Watching Taiwanese TV shows talk about mainland is just such a shock to me because there has been absolutely zero nice words about mainland. Even a compliment is actually a complaint.
The little girls went crazy near the end. Whenever the boys were suppose to perform, they took over.
@julie
There is a certain stigma that comes with anything mainland, and it’s natural for someone in the US to feel that. I have felt so awkward in so many times when I’m in the middle of a mainland-bashing session and I don’t know what to say. I’m not going to join them to bash myself, but its very hard to speak against a room full of people who disagree with you.
But I was raised to not believe in what everyone else says. Others were raised in that same environment, and it’s often easier for them to join the rest of the room and bash mainland.
I agree, but it bugs me how they’re basically bashing themselves, their family and their culture.
Sigh at the Taiwan thing… And people talk about Chinese propaganda…
And oops I meant super brother not boys LOL
Hit5 interviewed liu xijun!!!
@Julie: I think the speaking Chinese thing depends on where you’re from. My school have a large population of Korean and Chinese, the fobby Koreans and Chinese kids find comfort in speaking Korean to each other. There are also some Korean kids that speak English instead of Korean to each other. For me personally, even if I’m fluent in Chinese and speaks Chinese at home, I wouldn’t speak Chinese around my fobby Chinese friends. It’s not a self esteem issue, it’s more of what you’re comfortable speaking to certain group of people in certain setting. Also, some of the kids really do speak English to their parent after their parents asked them a question in Chinese (I’ve seen it a lot, it’s kinda sad).
&OMG I’m totally Super Brothers’ older sister fan! lol
@idarklight: speaking of hangeng, do you know Victoria from f(x) came form the same school as him? I wonder if they talk to each other during their training days? lol … do you know she was in SHINee’s noonas mv & SJM’s U mv But she was over shadowed by Amber’s amberness and Krystal’s jessicaness during debut and now by Sulli’s cuteness. When is it her turn to shine?!
&I was in the same situation, I was so excited for China and the Olympics but group of kids decided to tell me how evil China is. And when I asked them if they had actually visited or lived in China, they were like “why would I want to?” Why wouldn’t you want to? It’s a beautiful country, not only in its scenery but in its culture. China is the oldest living civilization, it has such a rich history and cultural diversity. Why wouldn’t you want to visit or even live there? The political system has it’s flaws, yes, but China hasn’t been this strong for thousands of year. All these people are ignoring all the contribution China has made to the modern world, and is only examining the political side (which they believe to be evil) of China. Each political system has it’s flaws but there are ways to improve it, and bashing on talk shows doesn’t help.
@chinkirox
I did, actually. I used to be a big fan of both of them. She was also in a Rain commercial and another Lee Junki commercial. There are many, many talented people in this world that should shine, they just need the best place. With girlbands, the focus is personality. She may be able to dance, but maybe she should’ve sticked with dancing. The key to success is sometimes to do what you’re best at. Maybe you don’t have to shine, but you’ll at least be contributing to society.
I think it’s even more awkward with Taiwanese people. With Americans, the conversation generally relates to politics that none of us are directly involved with and easily debated against. With awkward cross-strait conversations, it’s often anecdotes of bad experiences in mainland that are hard to counter.
@idarklight: I bet f(x) is heading to China soon. &How do they represent kpop so soon after debut, and a chance to stand on the same stage as Epik High too? Do u know if any Chinese artist is going to MIDEM 2010? TC?! BOBO?! ZHANG JIE?! ANSON HU! (who have a new amazing album out – highly recommend)
I never actually had those deep bashing sessions with TW people, it’s like a unwritten taboo among Chinese/Taiwanese at my school.
Wait who are these “Super Brothers” everyone is talking about?
A lot of conversations about China makes me uncomfortable. People say nasty things but it’s never as bad as when Chinese people make fun of themselves. One time during a school field trip we stumbled upon this retarded barbecue sauce titled “NOT Made in China”. Giant American flag. The labels say “Contains no Lead! Not made in sweatshop!” or some shit like that. And of course all the Chinese kids thinks this is hilarious and decides to take pictures with it. My Japanese friend goes “Wow. Isn’t this kind of offensive?” I feel like saying something but decide against ruining everyone’s fun and pose with the bottle. Pisses me off that I’m still tagged on facebook with that pic.
ANYWAYS. Maybe I was overreacting but there’s just so many similar situations. It’s one thing to not take some dumb BBQ sauce bottle too seriously but it’s another thing to consent to its “humor” and blatantly laugh at yourself. At least that’s how I see it. /end rant
@1233
THey are a group of 10-year-old boys that was on Happy Camp last week with BOBO
@chinkirox
It’s mostly unintentional bashing. I just had the most awkward dinner with the Chinese teachers at my school recently. It was three teachers, two Americans who’s been to China, and me. They had a long discussion about their bad experiences with mainland traffic, environment, water and burglary. It’s so frustrating because with cases like those, they happen everywhere. The traffic in Cairo is not that much better than that of mainland streets. Burglary cases can occur everywhere, anywhere. We have had two cameras stolen from us within one month in the United States. Yet when you tell an anecdote like that about China, and then someone else tells another one, it seems like all of China is infested with burglars and polluted water.
@1233
You should tell everyone that American toys have a higher chance of recall than Chinese ones and that Chinese ones are actually safer. The only reason why there seems to be more defects with Chinese toys is because almost all toys are made in China.
…wow I really need to be studying…
the girls look q
@1233: did you see the segment of Wei Chen’s play on youtube? it was basically everything that China’s been doing wrong (milk powdered, toys ect.) So it’s not only in the US that these things are being made fun off.
@idarklight: Yea, that’s why it’s so heartwarming to hear stories of American having a good time in China. But they go in with an assumption that China’s going to be bad. This is why I like this site, it shows that China is developing it’s soft power (&it’s really sad), but the only way for outsiders to get to know China (or any Asian country) is through their soft power. &I hear you, I should totally be studying for my finals right now but keep coming back here. (so last post to finals are done)
i don’t understand why so many chinese people feel a need to defend themselves whenever they’re caught in the middle of some anti-chinese talk. i mean, i know it’s nice to clear up misunderstandings and get them to see the actual truth, but realistically, some little speech you make in the middle of passing time at school isn’t really going to enlighten them, turn them into chinese-awesomeness advocates, or destroy the stereotypes already firmly established in a huge majority of the american mind. instead, just let them think whatever they want, allow them to miss out on whatever they choose, and enjoy your own privilege in knowing the truth and being prideful of what you know is good. it doesn’t matter if the whole world hates china. as long as you know how it really is like and you like the culture, i really don’t see why you would give a damn about whether or not everyone else likes it. chinese culture doesn’t develop to be displayed to the other people in the world. it develops to satisfy the need and wants of the chinese people–or anyone who’s interested in it.
also about the comment about the chinese people who have low self-esteem… obviously if the chinese people aren’t living (and especially not born) in china, they’d feel more closely tied to the place where they were raised. just because you prefer to speak english or you know nothing about chinese culture doesn’t mean that you hate your heritage and feel ashamed about it. you can’t judge for other people how much they actually know about china. maybe you just think that they’re downsizing their abilities because your abilities are simply better than theirs. american born chinese teens and kids would feel more comfortable replying in english because it’s easier to listen to than to speak a language, and obviously having been raised in america, it makes more sense for them to have a lacking skill in chinese. chinese people don’t speak to each other in chinese in public because it’s simply rude to speak in a minority language, like directly excluding anyone who doesn’t speak chinese (which is a majority since you obviously don’t live in china). the koreans who speak korean to each other are incredibly rude. ask anyone (even some koreans) and they’ll tell you that.
@beh
I’ll reply to you in full next week.
but I do not see any problem with speaking minority languages during a two-way conversation that does not involve others. Go to China and you’ll see that so many people talk to each in their native dialects in a foreign place. I think it’s comforting to be able to have a common, if different, language. Being able to speak more than one languages is a gift, and I think it’s sad that some parents refuse to pass it on to their children.
Mind if I interject your conversation about China and being Chinese (beh and idarklight)?
I always feel that it’s very important for people, non-Chinese, in America to develop a positive opinion about China. I’m a 2.5 generation Chinese American and I’ve been subjected to discrimination because of my heritage. “Me no speak English,” I get that a lot from fellow non-Chinese students while growing up. They view all Asian people as foreigners who can’t speak English when there is a significant number of Asians who are Americans.
Whenever there’s some bad news about China, the entire Chinese community gets targeted in my area even when many of the members are Americans who have been living in America for more than 100 years. It doesn’t matter if my parents are Americans, we still get targeted for China’s bad image. Case in point, the Wen Ho Lee case. Although he’s a Taiwanese, and was accused of selling secrets to China, my family was specifically targeted. People threw eggs at our house, and one driver even yelled at my father and told him to go back to China. What made me so angry was that my father wasn’t even born in China, but they assumed so because we are non-Caucasians or non-Blacks, so we are automatically labeled as foreigners.
I have come to understand that no matter how long my family has its roots in America, we will always be considered as foreigners from China, and can never be Americans. Whatever image is generated of China, the Chinese Americans will always be tied to it whether we want it or not. I have accepted this fact, and only want China to build a better image of itself, but this can’t happen with distorted media constantly harassing the country and its culture. So, beh, do you now understand why some of us are so eager to defend China’s image? We just want people to stop harassing us.
well said angela
@Angela: I’m sorry you had to go through something like that. But you’re points are very well said. I still think China should concentrate on developing its soft power, export out Chinese culture as much as they are exporting other actual goods. Not just historical dramas, but movies set in the modern time that show everyday Chinese people’s lives. (but of course outsiders would just assume its all propaganda). People are biased because they are ignorant of Chinese or any Asian culture. Korean entertainment is so fascinating because they are getting their “representatives” out there and showing people their culture. This is why I’m so excited for all the fresh talents come out of China right now, and appreciate Cfensi for this English blog on Mainland entertainment.
On a (lighter side note), is anyone in college taking Asian classes (Asian language, Asian study ect.) WHY is everyone in those classes Asian?