I'll Remember MAMA...part 1

Here's a list of ELEVEN things that impressed me or depressed me about the recent M.Net Music Awards ceremony held in Singapore.  I'll remember MAMA 2011 for....

1. Lee Byung Hyun - working his charm and speaking "da England" quite convincingly. Wonder who's his diction teacher???



2.  Screams of  Kpop fans during Lang Lang's performance. Beethoven would've turned in his grave if he heard the excited howls punctuating "Moonlight Sonata".


3. The lack of subtitling or rather, subtitles in English, made me wonder why MAMA bothered to have the show in Singapore if it was catering to the home audience. Or does MAMA think the ample provision of eye candy such as Han Chae-young in a stunning Dolce and Gabbana gown and Bae Su-bin in a tux would be sufficient to keep Hallyu fans happy? Personally, I'd still like to know what the presenters were saying, even though the chatter may be trite. MAMA, please remember, if you wanna go global, you gotta go with the flow and that means hiring people who can translate Korean into English pronto.




4. Great stage. Could hardly believe my eyes. Was that really the Singapore Indoor Stadium? Looked like MAMA played fairy godmother to her Cinderella and the SIS was magically transformed into the belle of the ball. One report pointed out that the stage featured the Chinese character, "ren" to signify people and how music brought people together. Particularly loved the work of the lighting director and the special effects which almost made up for the absence of English subtitles. One example here in 2NE1's performance.

To be continued.....

http://www.enewsworld.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1806
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20111129171430.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_5lzbIZ_DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G_5lzbIZ_DY#!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAHD0aFt45A

MAMA's Making Rounds In Asia

Kpop lovers in Asia have more reason to celebrate now that Mnet Asia Music Awards ( affectionately   dubbed MAMA) has ambitions to be the "Grammys ofis  the East" and  is holding its award ceremonies outside Korea.



Last year,  the 12th MAMA was held in Macau. This year, Singaporean fans as well as well-heeled neighbours from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand can scream their hearts out at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on the 29th November to welcome their favourite Kpop idols. Consolation for those who can't book their tickets to Singapore, MAMA 2011 will be broadcasted in 19 countries, including live in Korea, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia.

The line-up will probably include appearances by nominees such as TVXQ, B2ST, Big Bang, Super Junior,2PM,  Brown Eyed Girls, Girls’ Generation, Kara, 2NE1, Kim Hyun-joong, Park Jae-beom, Jang Woo-hyuk, HyunA and G.NA.

That Singapore's Mediacorp and the Singapore Tourism Board is using the pop culture of another country to boost its own tourism industry isn't anything new. Think Universal Studios on Sentosa which has just recently announced a hike in entrance fees.  If things work well in Singapore, MAMA will probably do the rounds and visit China, Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia in the future. Imagine MAMA set against the backdrop of the Twin Towers in KLCC or the Shanghai Bund. Question is: What happened to MAMA attracting Kpop lovers to Korea? What has KTO to say to MAMA's ties with tourism promotion boards of other countries?

source:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/11/143_97807.html