63rd “Kohaku” Year End Red and White Song Battle

For 63 years its has been a tradition for NHK to broadcast “Kohaku Uta Gassen” or known to the Japanese Americans as the “Red and White Song Battle” on New Years Eve.  By invitation only, these popular music artists are separated by teams, Red (akagumi) composed of all female vocalist and White (shirogumi) composed of all male vocalist.  This “battle of the sexes” are then judged by a panel of judges and the audience at the end of the show.  The artists strives to put on their most extravagant costumes making sure to perform their best.  So far the White team has won 33 times.  Who will it be this year?  NHK broadcasts this festival live every year, today this tradition can be seen in 92 countries around the world.

Update: White team won again this year!!

See the 63rd NHK official annual battle the line up here.

First Half

1. Hamasaki Ayumi : 2012 A SPECIAL Medley
2. NYC : NYC Kohaku Medley
3. SKE48: Pareo wa Emerald
4. Golden Bomber: Memeshikute
5. AAA: 777 We can sing a song
6. Nakashima Mika: Hatsukoi
7. Sandaime J Soul Brothers: Hanabi
8. Mizuki Nana: BRIGHT STREAM
9. FUNKY MONKEY BABYS: Sayonara Janai
10. Fuji Ayako: Wasurenai
11. HY: Ichiban Chikaku ni
12. Mizumori Kaori: Hitori Nagaragawa
13. Naoto Inti Raymi: Brave
14. Koda Kumi: Go to the top
15. Hosokawa Takashi: Naniwabushi Dayo Jinsei wa
16. Koizai Kaori: Sake no Yado
17. Porno Graffitti: Kageboushi
18. Nishino Kana: GO FOR IT
19. Tachi Hiroshi: Arashi wo Yobu Otoko
20. Godai Natsuko: Koi Zange
21. Mori Shinichi: Fuyu no Riviera
22. Ayaka: Hajimari no Toki

Second Half

23. Kanjani8: Hatsu Kohaku Zenryoku Zenshin Jya Jya Jya Jya-n
24. Momoiro Clover Z: Momoiro Kohaku Da Z
25. TOKIO: KIBOU
26. Perfume: Spring of Life
27. Kobukuro: Kami Hikouki
28. AKB48: AKB48 Kohaku 2012 SP Dai 2-sho
29. Go Hiromi: Dangerer
30. aiko: Kuchibiru
31. Itsuki Hiroshi: Yoake no Blues
32. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu: Kohaku 2012 Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Medley
33. Tokunaga Hideaki: Ue wo Muite Arukou
34. Yuki Saori: Yoake no Scat
35. Saito Kazuyoshi: Yasashiku Naritai
36. Tendo Yoshimi: Soran Matsuri Bushi
37. YUI: Good-bye days
38. Hikawa Kiyoshi: Sakura
39. Sakamoto Fuyumi: Yozakura Oshichi
40. Arashi: New Year’s Eve Medley 2012
41. Miwa Akihiro: Yoitomake no Uta
42. Wada Akiko: Ai, Todokimasuka
43. EXILE: Rising Sun
44. YUKI: Prism
45. Fukuyama Masaharu: Beautiful Life
46. Princess Princess: Diamonds
47. Ishikawa Sayuri: Amagi Goe
48. Kitajima Saburo: Fusetsu Nagare Tabi
49. Ikimonogakari: Kaze ga Fuiteiru
50. SMAP: SMAP 2012 SP

Related articles

• Arashi to Use Latest Video Technology for Kouhaku, a 1st in TV History (jenewsdaily.wordpress.com)
• Arashi, Kanjani8, AKB48 and Perfume to Collaborate with Disney (jenewsdaily.wordpress.com)

Ailee an upcoming Asian American Diva

Born and raised in America and known as Amy Lee to her friends, and as Ailee on youtube.  This young Asian American performer is an amazing singer that can really belt it out!!  Ailee made headlines after her performance of Beyonce’s Halo on MBC’s Chuseok special ‘Singers and Trainers’ check out her performance video below.

Ailee first solo debut song ‘Heaven’ was released on February 9, 2012 which dominated the Cyworld music awards.

On October 16, Ailee released her song along with the MV “I’ll show you” on her mini album Invitation.  See MV below.

Ailee is now starting to promote her next song on her album “Evening Sky” another amazing song.  Stay tuned for her MV in the near future.

All MV and pictures in this article do not originate with me.

Related articles

• [Review] [Mini-Album] Ailee – “Invitation” (mcrothsresidence.com)

“Werewolf Boy” A Korean Movie Hit

A box office hit in Korea, a movie you will want to see.  Wolf Boy is a beautiful story of an unusual friendship of love and a dangerous secret.  In 1965 Suni Kim and her mom moved to the countryside, soon they discovered a feral teenage boy on their property.  Thinking this boy was just another child orphaned in the Korean war they took this boy into their home.  They discovered that this wild beast like boy could not read or speak.  Suni a teenager herself at the time, tamed the wild boy according to a dog training manual to helped him to become civilized so he can live like a normal man in society.  Naming him Cheol-Su they soon begin a deep friendship, jealous of the attention Suni was showing the boy, their landlord who hoped to marry Suni started harassing her.  Cheol-Su, in Suni’s defense, morphed into a werewolf.   In fear, the town villagers turn on Cheol-Su.  In order to save Cheol-Su, Suni leaves with the promise “wait for me.  I’ll come back for you.”

The movie Wolf Boy in Korea was renamed Werewolf Boy starring Song Joong-Ki and Park Bo-Yeong.  It was released in selected movie theaters across America on November 30, 2012.  This movie will be re-released with an alternative ending in selected theater across America on December 7, 2012:

Atlanta – AMC Colonial

Chicago – AMC Showplace Niles

Dallas – AMC Grapevine Mills

Honolulu – Consolidated Pearlridge

New Jersey – AMC Ridgefield Park

New York – AMC Empire

New York – Cinemart Cinemas 5

San Diego – AMC Fashion Valley

San Francisco – Century 20 Daly City

Seattle – AMC Alderwood

Toronto – Cineplex Odeon Sheppard

Toronto – Cineplex Odeon Shappard Yonge and Dundas

Vancouver – Cineplex Silvercity Coquitlam