One day, you’re toiling away as some low level actress. The next day, you get cast in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The day after that, you become the face of a new generation of Asian actors. Welcome to the arc of Zhang Ziyi’s life. You wear thousand dollar dresses, model various cosmetics and date a suave European guy. Yet, I give you a heart-shaped note and you’re too good to open it.

Don’t show it off to the cameras. Take one end and just open it. Look inside. See that? It’s a picture. That was you three hours ago back at the hotel. I know where you are. Now, open the purse…

Once upon a time, Bai Ling actually was taken seriously as an actress. She then took a strong right turn to Wackville and never left. Maybe she has us fooled. Secretly, at her modestly decorated home in the Valley, she reads the Wall Street Journal and paints her vast array of pottery. Occasionally, she’ll order her butler to pour a tall glass of milk. After which, she’ll crazily dance some weird Satanic ritual to background music filled with gongs and whistles. No chance this girl is sane. If Charles Manson ever saw her, even he’d twirl his finger around his ear in that “cuckoo cuckoo” motion.

Here, Bai poses in a Western bootwear shop. If you can’t tell in the pic below, she’s pointing to a bandage that says “my nipples are on vacation”. Ironically, she has to bend over to let us know.

Sodagreen took their emo ways to Hong Kong and slayed them with their mildly rockin’ tunes. One Day in May… has a write-up of their June 12-13^th concerts. Ivana Wong (王菀之) sang with them on the 12^th and Karen Mok did the same on the 13^th. Of particular note, they covered a Faye Wong song and Radiohead’s “Creep”.

Couldn’t find any video of the Faye Wong song, I would love to hear it. No one can argue that she’s one of the top 5 contemporary singers in Asia. I’m skeptical of their cover of Radiohead though. They released it on their live album (after the cut). It sounds like a mix between James Blunt, Rufus Wainwright and Broadway show tunes. While listening to their cover, there’s an immense urge to smoke a long, thin cigarette and watch lazy wisps of smoke float upwards.

I did find video of “Little Love Song” they performed in HK. Credit goes to Sodagreen for mixing it up. They’re probably sick of that song and looking for ways to reinvent it. During the song, they project a video of people holding photographs of other people while the singer emotes. Unfortunately, it’s a generic attempt at the heartstrings. Otherwise, the performance holds up well.

Live performance of “Little Love Song” at HK and cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” after the jump

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The good news is that Zhang Hui Mei will perform in Canada. The bad news is that it will cost an exorbitant amount to get in. $88 for you peasants, $388 for the bourgeois, $148-228 for the middle class. Hmm…groceries or a once in a lifetime concert. Her concerts are pretty spectacular. She’s got enough costume changes to make Beyonce jealous. However, until her concerts can feed me, I’ll have to stick with her dvds.

Quick reminder that Glay tickets go on sale Sunday, 6/15 at 10am PDT. This show will be at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Another rumored show is in LA, though no details exist yet. So, consider it a dream at this point.

Not many J-pop bands come here, so now’s the chance to save on airfare to Japan and catch them in the States. Thanks to J-Revolution.com for the tip.

The Slants have seen their exposure increase these last couple of months. Another milestone on their journey to international superstardom is a recent profile on NPR. Interesting that they got their start at an anime convention. Anime festival goers are a special breed. Dressing up as your favorite Star Wars character is one thing. The dedication to dress like this takes it to a whole ‘nother level.

The Slants come off as a cross between electro-pop and the music they play at 24 Hour Fitness. If you wear skinny jeans and have Rihanna’s haircut, this music will appeal to you.

The Slants on NPR’s All Things Considered [angry asian man]