Friday, May 13, 2011

We're Learning Japanese with Ben Morgan


When I went to Japan last year, I picked up some words - but I wish I knew more Japanese so I could talk to the locals more. Luckily, special guest Ben Morgan joined us in studio this week for a Japanese lesson.

Listen to the podcast for the full lesson and find out why Ben wanted to learn Japanese.
Learning Japanese with Ben Morgan, May13 2011 by CherriiPOP


Here are some phrases he taught:

I listen to CherriiPOP - Watashi wa Chiripopu o kiki masu

I bought a goat - Watashi wa yagi-o kaimasu

Good evening - Kon ban wa

Kanojo mabai ne - Check out that hottie

Thank you Ben for teaching us Japanese!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The first Hello Kitty theme park for China





Exciting news - A Hello Kitty theme park will be opening in China soon.

Listen to the show's podcast
News: Hello Kitty world to open in China in 2014 (show 13 May 2011) by CherriiPOP

Sanrio the Japanese company that created the icon character Hello Kitty, plans to build a theme park in eastern Zhejiang province in 2014.

Hideo Yamaguchi, a Sanrio Spokesman said “The potential for growth is in Asia. This agreement means a lot for Sanrio, as it will broaden our licensing business.”

Construction of the 95,000 square metre theme park is expected to begin in July.

Hello Kitty is one of the most famous cartoon characters in the world. Hello Kitty is adorned on stationery, jewelry, electronics (TV, toaster), clothing. This kitty is on everything you can imagine!

Being a fan of Hello Kitty, I own some T-shirts and stationary. Do you own any Hello Kitty stuff Ben?

More dedicated fans have Hello Kitty tattoos on their body. I was surfing the net and found an interesting photo of a couple having a Hello Kitty wedding theme! Last week on the show I talked about how people can buy replicas of Prince William’s and Kate’s wedding outfits for a Royal Wedding theme. Well for a Hello Kitty wedding theme, you can have your best man and maid of honour dressed up as hello kitty. That’s what the couple did in the photo!



Hello Kitty is taking over the world!

Ref: Japan Times

Friday, May 6, 2011

CherriiPOP Playlist for 6th May 2011

We’re glad to be back from the Easter break! Hope you guys enjoyed tonight’s show. Here is the playlist. Remember to send in song requests for next week’s show.



Rainbow – To Me

F(x) – Pinnochio

Orange caramel – Bangkok city

The boss – Love Power

Girl Next Door – Silent Scream

Nana Mizuki – Scarlet Knight

Jay Park – Abandoned

Bom – Don’t cry

Freya Lim – Don’t tell me

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The 1st 'Odd Things I saw for 2011' - Japan Hair salon stools for kids


The segment ‘Odd Things I saw’ is back for 2011. This is one of my favourite segments on the show. This is where I share odd things I saw in my everyday life or on holiday.

I came across this photo when I was reading the news. The story was about how the Japanese government is now allowing hairdressers to cut hair at evacuation shelters or makeshift shops, following the disasters. The previous law only allowed hairdressers to work in authorized shops. The disaster had destroyed many businesses, now the government is relaxing this law.

What caught my attention was the cool chair the child was sitting in - a car chair. I thought that was very odd and so cool! They can play with the steering wheel. Children would love getting their hair cut if they got to sit in a car chair. I wonder if there is an adult version?

Virtual Jpop Singer gets her own Radio Show


Hatsune Miku a manufactured Jpop sensation is getting her own radio show! She is completely manufactured, fake - she doesn’t exist. Hatsune is a blue haired 2D character whose voice is generated by voice synthesizers.

Her radio show is broadcasted Saturday nights at 10:15pm on NHK Radio 1 service. Two main features on the show include song requests, and music from the blue haired star.

Hatsune is an ageless 16 year old that has experienced huge success in the Japan music industry. She has a record contract, toured the country and now has her own radio show. I wonder if she will release a movie next like Justin Bieber, documenting her life. Wouldn’t that be interesting?

On our YouTube Channel I have uploaded a Hatsune Miku Track called Po Pi Po. If you haven’t heard her music yet, you should check it out. It’s really poppy and catchy!!! After listening to it, you can’t get it out of your head.

Congrats to Hatsune on her new radio show. She has worked very hard for it LOL.

I introduced Hatsune on the show last year, to read more about her - check out our archive.

Kung Fu Fighting Flight Attendants






Cabin crews from Hong Kong Airlines are practicing the ancient martial arts - Kung fu. They are made to learn Kung Fu to help build team spirit. Another reason for cabin crews learning kung fu is so they can handle drunk or disturbing passengers.

Wouldn’t it be cool to watch a flight attendant bust out a Jackie Chan move on flight against a bad guy? With their fitted uniforms, attendants would have lots of trouble doing kung fu moves. I question whether they will ever use kung fu while on the plane. I do like the idea of employees learning kung fu for good health.

Eva Chan, deputy general manager of corporate communication discussed an example where kung fu training helped employees. These are her exact words: “Normally, a female cabin crew can’t handle a fat guy, especially if he’s drunk, but because of the training, she can handle it quite easy.”

So...The Kung Fu training helps flight attendants move fat guys. If the girls need to build up strength, they can just do weight training? Learning Kung Fu may be overshooting it.

I was thinking, wouldn’t it be cool to have a kung fu movie set on a plane? Flight attendants will fight horrible passengers and teach them a lesson throughout the flight. It could star Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Maggie Q. One of my favourite Kung Fu movies is ‘Shaolin Soccer’ directed by Stephen Chow. I should pitch this idea to him. I will name this movie ‘Airway Kung Fu’. Wow! I came up with an original movie premise! I'm quite happy with myself today =D

The Fairytale Royal Wedding


The history making royal wedding of Prince William and Kate was watched by over 2 billion people. William and Kate looked amazing! I love watching Royal Weddings, for me it is a major TV event. I bought snacks, chocolate in preparation for the event - Just like what people do when they watch the footy on the telly.

Everyone was anxious to see her dress. Everyone gasped the moment she stepped out of the car. Kate looked so elegant, so radiant. I love her train – the way it pleated, it was really beautiful. The dress was made by British Designer Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

The moment her dress was revealed, designers around the world went through a mad rush to copy her dress. Kate is a fashion icon – any dress she wears instantly sells out. Her wedding dress will certainly be in high demand. What I love about this dress is that it is so elegant and timeless. Fashionistas believe Grace Kelly’s stunning wedding dress was inspiration.

Guys don’t feel left out - you can buy replicas of Prince Williams cherry red military uniform as well. Here is a photo of a Chinese couple wearing copies of Prince William and Kate’s wedding clothes.

If you are planning your wedding why not go for a royal wedding? Every bride and groom should feel like a princess and prince on their special day!