CherriiPOP Playlist for 27th May 2011

Thank you for tuning in! Wow, what a jammed pack show we had tonight. I hope you guys enjoyed the music and the stories. Here is the playlist


Kikkake wa You - Yuu Kikkawa

Kakko warui i love you – French kiss

Lonely – 2NE1

My home – Kanjani8

Because tears are overflowing – Jessica (SNSD)

I did it for love – BOA

Tonight – Big Bang

Arashi no megami – Utada Hikaru

Celebs get onboard for the ‘Save Japan! Project’ by designing T-shirts

A-listers Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham are amongst the celebrities who are designing t-shirts to help raise money for the relief effort in Japan.

Vogue Japan and GQ Japan have teamed up for this cause and hope to raise 100 million yen (1.2 million USD) for the Japanese Red Cross. The t-shirts will be available at UNIQLO stores in 11 countries and online at uniqlo.com.

Other celebrities who will be contributing t-shirt designs include: Karl Lagerfield, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Charlize Theron, Orlando Bloom and Blake Lively.

Kim Hyun Joong releases his debut solo album

Popular Korean singer/actor Kim Hyun Joong will be releasing his first mini album across Asia on June 8th. Key that date in fans. The album ‘Break Down’ will be released in Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore on the same date.

The track listing has been revealed, the song on the album are:
- Break down
- Intro (Let me go)
- Please
- Kiss Kiss
- Yes I will

Kim Hyun Joong the lead singer of the boy group SS501 decided to release a solo album a while back - it’s great to see that his album will be released very soon. Keep an eye out for it.

Meet Takeru Kobayashi - The Professional Eater

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Champion hot dog eater Takeru Kobayashi by CherriiPOP

I love eating food, trying out different cuisines like Korean, Japanese. Many people love eating. Imagine eating for a profession. Well Takeru Kobayashi is a competitive eater and he eats for a living – pretty cool right? He is quite famous, and I’m sure you guys have seen footage of him eating on the news or on youtube before.

Let me give you a bit of a background about him. He holds a number of Guinness Records for eating. He held the world record for hot dog eating for 6 years. His achievements for eating are mind blowing. I’m going to run through them now
- 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes (4.2 hot dogs/minute)
- 83 dumplings in 8 minutes (10.3 dumplings/minute)
- 100 roast pork buns in 12 minutes (8.33 buns/minute)
- 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 15 minutes (1.18 pounds/minute)
- 20 pounds of rice balls in 30 minutes (0.67 pounds/minute)

Here is a video of him in action. This is Kobayashi VS Bear. Unbelievable!


It takes me 6 minutes to eat 1 hot dog, 2 minutes to eat 1 dumpling. It’s hard to believe that eating he is eating so much in a short amount of time.

You would assume Kobayashi was a large man, but actually he is a medium build man. I don’t know where he puts all the food!

There are a lot of techniques and training required for speed eating. One of the techniques is avoid chewing your food, this is time consuming. You should just scoff everything down; like how snakes engulf their food in one go.

In preparation for a competition, Kobayashi stretches his stomach by eating larger and larger amounts of food. Then he exercise to ensure that fat does not hamper the expansion of his stomach. His trademark for speed eating is the ‘Kobyashi shake’, where he wiggles his body to force food down his esophagus and ensure food is compact in his stomach.

When eating hot dogs, he splits the Frankfurt in half and then dips the buns in water or sprite before forcing it down.
The famous Nathan’s hot dog eating contest is now coming to China on June 18. Kobayashi will be competing. The competition is open to public, to be eligible you need to be 18+ Chinese national with a valid passport, enter before May 31st at the Nathan's Famous website

The Oprah Show signs off after 25 glorious years

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Cherriipop110527-Oprah Finale by CherriiPOP

The biggest TV show on Earth – The Oprah Winfrey show has signed off after 25 years. A quarter of a century – A huge achievement in TV land. Her last 3 shows were broadcasted this week in the United states. In Australia, the show’s finale will be broadcasted this Friday 9pm on Channel 10.

The 3rd and 2nd last shows were a massive celebration for Oprah. Her high profile friends Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Halle Berry, Maria Shriver, Will and Jada Smith were all there to thank and honour Oprah for her extraordinary work. Fans from around the world sent messages and photos of them holding a big ‘O’ letter.

Her final show was an intimate gathering of her talking to her audience, close friends and viewers in her studio. She walked down memory lane with them and for the final curtain call, she chose not to say goodbye but, ‘Until we meet again’.

Oprah has greatly influenced the world. Inspiring people to live better lives, pursue dreams, confidence, self acceptance and compassion.

I have watched Oprah since the beginning of my memory. Over the years I have learnt a lot from her, learning what was happening in different parts of the world, learning compassion. She did not hold back on any issue, she was brave enough to explore it all.

I want to say, Thank you Oprah for all the wisdom, love and knowledge that we can all dream big. You’re awesome OPRAH!!!!!

CherriiPOP Playlist for 20th May 2011

I hope you guys enjoyed tonight’s show! I had a lot of fun in studio. Here is the playlist.


Shampoo – After school

Golden Lady – Lim Jeong Hee

Your Luv - MBLAQ

Enlightenment – Andy Lau

Tunnel – Freya Lim

Haruka - Scandal

Ma boy - Sistar

Wo she pu she an ching te cou khai – Aaron Kwok

Down with love – Jerry Yan

Odd Things I saw - Yarn Graffiti

Winter has started early in Melbourne, too early for my liking. Everyone has to rug up and wear many layers when outside. Well I came across this interesting story for Odd things I saw this week.

Yarn Graffiti is the coolest type of vandalism out there and its taking over the world! What is it you ask? Well, artists ‘yarn bomb’ a site by covering an area with knitted artwork. This is how the New York Times described Yarn bombing which I find really profound: Yarn bombing takes the most matronly craft (knitting) and that most maternal gestures (wrapping something cold in a warm blanket) and transfers it to the urban landscape.

Another name for Yarn Graffiti is Grandma Graffiti. Lots of world landmarks have been yarn bombed. Here are some pics of Yarn Graffiti. I hope you guys enjoy it.





Watch the Toyota Prius get yarn bombed

Rain talks about his future @ Macau Press conference

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Rain's macau concert & future by CherriiPOP


My favourite singer Rain tweeted some cool pics of his Macau tour this week. I really like his disappearing act photo.




Rain held a press conference before his concert on May 14. Organisers made sure the press weren't allowed to ask questions about his upcoming military service (which has been delayed until the end of this year). His enlistment date has been pushed back a number of times, due to his study and work commitments. It would be hard for Rain to leave his successful career and join the army for 2 years.

During the press conference, Rain was happy to talk about his new movie ‘Living in the Sky’ where he plays a pilot. He expressed his interest in taking on more action and romantic roles in the future.

It is my dream to see him live in concert! But things haven’t worked out yet! Like in 2007, when I went to China for a holiday, Rain came to Sydney for the first time to perform! When I heard, I was absolutely devastated. Last year I went to Korea and I think Rain was out of the country. The upside was I saw his face everywhere on everything. Even at the airport, there was a life size cardboard cut out of him.

I plan to make a tribute video for him, like what US comedian, and host Stephen Colbert did. That is my next project. I’ll keep you posted.

Kawaii Hello Kitty French Nails

There are a lot of great make up tutorials on youtube - I came across this cute instructional video on Hello Kitty French Nails.

Aren't the nails super cute? Very creative! Hope you all enjoy the vid

The power of twitterverse – Japan Doctors used Twitter to save people

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Tweets that save lives by CherriiPOP

Are you a twitterer? Or what I like to call it a twitterbug? Maybe you should start tweeting because one tweet can make a huge difference in the world.

Doctors in Japan used twitter to reach chronically ill patients in the wake of the natural disasters, to tell them where they can receive life saving treatment when phones were down.

Doctors directly tweeted to 60 patients, and their tweets were further retweeted over 100 times. Isn’t twitterverse marvelous!

More and more healthcare workers around the world are using social media to connect with patients – sending out medication and appointment reminders.

This is not the first time twitter has saved lives. A fan tweeted to Demi Moore about ending their life. Demi contacted authorities and luckily they were able to track the person from the tweet and save their life.

Tweets can vary from mundane things like – what someone ate for breakfast. To lifesaving tweets such as the ones the doctors sent out.

I am a twitterbug! I follow a lot of celebrities - even if they tweet about the most dull thing, I find it interesting. Isn’t that ironic? Being a fan, it feels like I’m getting behind the scenes snippets of their life so it does feel kind of cool.

Did you know Japanese is the second most tweeted language in twitterverse? Second to English.

Reference: Reuters, Japan Times

Exploding watermelons in China

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Cherriipop podcast 110520 - Exploding watermelons in China by CherriiPOP

Watermelons are exploding everywhere on farms in China. News have dubbed it the ‘Melon’ land mine. The image of exploding watermelons is quite amusing, it sounds like something the Mythbusters team would do in an experiment.

The cause of the exploding watermelons isn’t because someone was playing pranks. The reason is actually farmers overdosing crops with growth hormones. It’s kind of scary - How much growth hormone did they pump in to the watermelons to cause it to explode?

Around 20 farmers around Danyang city have been affected, with more than 45 hectares of watermelons exploding. Reports suggest that farmers with exploding melons were first time users of the growth accelerator forchlorfenuron.

Chinese regulations don’t forbid forchlorfenuron, in the US it can be used on kiwi fruit and grapes.

Many farmers are devastated by seeing their melons exploding. I hope the next crop they grow the melons the old fashion way.

Odd Things I saw (13-5-2011) - Humping dog usb

I was surfing the net and came across this odd tech gadget from Japan. It's called the humping dog usb. LOL! There are also Rocky character usbs that do crunches. Very interesting gadget!

CherriiPOP show Friday 13th May 2011

Special guests Anh Chau and Ben Morgan joined me in studio this week. We all had a blast on the show talking about music, Hello Kitty. Ben taught us some Japanese phrases, you can listen to the podcast here.

Have a listen to my guests talk about their fave music and TV shows
Talking music & TV with guests Ben & Anh May 13, 2011 by CherriiPOP

We learnt a new word on this week's show 'Triskaidekaphobia', it means the fear of the number 13. In some countries, people avoid naming a building level '13' by calling it level 12A instead. Many people are cautious of the number 13.

I hope you guys enjoyed the show this week! Thank you to my guests Ben Morgan & Anh Chau dropping by. Here is the show's playlist.

SKE48 – Banzai Venus
Big Bang – Tonight
Piko – Sakurane
Girl Next Door – Silent Scream
SNSD – Mr Taxi
Happiness – Friends
Jang Geun Suk – Let me cry
Stefanie Sun – Wo Bu Ai

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!

The first Hello Kitty theme park for China

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

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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

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

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!