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CSR Single Album Vol. 1 - Sequence: 17&
CSR
This year, K-pop is in full bloom with the rise of new blood like IVE, NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, Kep1er and NMIXX. Among fifth-generation K-pop girl groups, CSR may be a lesser-known name, but their refreshing song and style are worth our attention! CSR, whose name is taken from the initials of "cho sa rang" ("first love" in Korean), sparks cute and jolly energy with their sweet and upbeat songs in their first single album Sequence: 17&. Produced by MonoTree's Hwang Hyun, title track ♡TiCON (Track 1) expresses the shy, confused and heart-fluttering feelings of young girls in love through a teen-pop dance number: "Please explain how you feel. How do you love?! Whenever I want to see you, I put... [read more]
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Detective VS. Sleuths (2022) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Charlene Choi (Actor)
| Lau Ching Wan (Actor)
| Tony Wu (Actor)
| Kevin Kam-Yin Chu (Actor)
Detective vs. Sleuths is Wai Ka Fai's first directorial effort in over a decade, and apparently he put all his creative juices into this, because it is impressively over the top. The writer-director packs twist after twist and a whole variety of unhinged characters into this wild Hong Kong crime action thriller with a very high body count. Lau Ching Wan – always the first pick to play Wai Ka Fai characters who are losing a handle on reality (see: Written By and Mad Detective) – anchors the madness as the protagonist who is the maddest yet shrewdest of them all. Detective vs. Sleuths begins with vignettes of notorious past murder cases before introducing crimes happening in the present day.... [read more]
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The Crocodile That Lived For 100 Days (2021) (DVD) (Hong Kong Version)
Leung Yip
| Kimura Subaru
| Yamada Yuki
| Kamiki Ryunosuke
In December 2019, Kikuchi Yuuki began posting the webcomic A Crocodile Who Will Die in 100 Days with the caption "Day 1." With its cryptic title, slice-of-life warmth and unexpectedly poignant observations, the comic went viral in Japan as readers followed the daily life of the anthropomorphized crocodile who is unaware of the fate that awaits him. Every day from December 12, 2019, to March 20, 2020, the comic shared various small relatable episodes of the crocodile's kind nature and mundane life while ominously counting down his days. On Day 100, a spring day with sakura blossoms dancing in the sky, he passes away in an accident. The 2021 animated film The Crocodile That Lived For 100 Days... [read more]
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![ARASHI Anniversary Tour 5×20 FILM "Record of Memories" [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray] (Japan Version)](https://d3tvwjfge35btc.cloudfront.net/Assets/83/035/S_p0180203583.jpg)
ARASHI Anniversary Tour 5×20 FILM "Record of Memories" [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray] (Japan Version)
Arashi
Arashi's Record of Memories is the first and only concert film that the Johnny's group has ever put out, and it's on a whole other level in terms of pure technical production values. Arashi's massive 20th anniversary tour spanned over 50 performances and mobilized over two million attendees, making it the largest tour in Japanese history. This feature film presentation of the Arashi Anniversary 5×20 records their live at Tokyo Dome on December 23, 2019. As a celebration and culmination of Arashi's 20-year journey, the concert is a joy for fans, with a setlist full of uptempo numbers, hit songs, dance medleys and energetic performances accompanied by impressive stage design and... [read more]
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(G)I-DLE Mini Album Vol. 5 - I love (Random Version)
(G)I-DLE
Just half a year after their chart-sweeping TOMBOY, (G)I-DLE comes back with another masterpiece release – I love. The girls portray six stories revolving around different kinds of love in their fifth mini-album. Minnie, Mi Yeon, So Yeon, Yuqi and Shuhua confidently break stereotypes again in the groundbreaking title track Nxde (Track 1)! Sampling Habanera from the opera Carmen, the alternative pop jam Nxde is inspired by Marilyn Monroe, with empowering lyrics about Nxde stars unveiling their true selves regardless of what others think: "If you were expecting some rated R show, oh I'm sorry, but that's not what we're showing. For refund, see that direction, whatever people say is not my... [read more]
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Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (Blu-ray) (Normal Ediiton) (Japan Version)
Uchiyama Koki
| Akutami Gege
| Sakurai Takahiro
| Hanazawa Kana
We'll have to wait for Season 2 of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime for the continuing story of Itadori Yuji, but to find out to what happened before Yuji's arrival, there's the feature film prequel Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Based on Akutami Gege's same-titled manga (which was published before Jujutsu Kaisen), Jujutsu Kaisen 0 revolves around the Jujutsu High School class of Okkotsu Yuta, Zenin Maki, Panda and Inumaki Toge when they were first-year students. Providing an interesting parallel to Yuji's story, fan-favorite character Okkotsu Yuta is the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. The teenage boy is timid by nature and bullied by classmates, but he is protected by the cursed spirit of his late childhood... [read more]
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BLACKPINK Vol. 2 - BORN PINK (Box Set Version) (Random Version)
BLACKPINK
Another two years have passed, and finally a new BLACKPINK album has arrived! In BLACKPINK's second full-length album BORN PINK, the girls share their sensitive and sentimental thoughts in more dauntless lyrics (three of the eight new songs are marked explicit). BORN PINK opens with the group's signature and charismatic hip-hop style jams. Serving as the group's first release in two years, the multi-genre pre-release single Pink Venom (Track 1) is creative yet slightly underwhelming as it's not as resonant as expected, but the song's charting proves that public reception is still good. Title track Shut Down (Track 2) combines classical music – sampling of Niccolò Paganini's La Campanella –... [read more]
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Origin Of Time
Endy Chow (Singer)
| ToNick (Singer)
Chiu Sin Hang, the lead singer of Hong Kong band ToNick and occasional actor, has developed a respectable second (or third) career in filmmaking. He made his co-directing debut in 2017 with the well-received Vampire Cleanup Department, and his first solo directorial feature One Second Champion grossed a very respectable HK$17 million, ranking fifth in box office among Hong Kong films in 2021. Besides directing and acting, Chiu Sin Hang, or Hangjai as he goes by in ToNick, also brings his music into film by creating the theme songs. For One Second Champion's theme song, ToNick joins forces with the film's leading man, Endy Chow. Composed by Endy and Hangjai, "Origin of Time" won Best... [read more]
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Anime Supremacy! (Blu-ray) (Japan Version)
Ono Karin
| Ike Yoshihiro
| Yoshioka Riho
| Kudo Asuka
Is there an anime that changed your life? Or maybe just made you believe a bit in magic? Anime Supremacy is about the blood, sweat and tears that go into making that anime. Based on the novel by Tsujimura Mizuki, Anime Supremacy dives headfirst into the comings and goings of the anime industry. While the original novel follows three female protagonists – director Saito Hitomi, producer Arishina Kayako and animator Namisawa Kazuna – the film adaptation concentrates primarily on rookie director Saito Hitomi played by Yoshioka Riho. As a child, Hitomi didn't watch anime and couldn't understand the imaginative play of other kids. It was not until she watched the anime Hikari no Yosuga as an... [read more]
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![Suki to Iu no wa Rock Daze! [Type A] (SINGLE+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version)](https://d3tvwjfge35btc.cloudfront.net/Assets/75/824/S_p0179282475.jpg)
Suki to Iu no wa Rock Daze! [Type A] (SINGLE+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version)
Nogizaka46
The endearingly upbeat tune of Nogizaka46's 30th single Suki to Iu no wa Rock Daze! begins with a decidely downbeat line: "The person I hate the most in the world is me." Self-loathing thoughts of stagnancy and having no ambitions or expectations for the future pour out unassumingly against a mellow melody laced with energetic pop rock beats. These negative emotions are flipped by the discovery of a love that makes one sparkle. While the power of love may seem like a typically cheesy topic for a pop song, Suki to Iu no wa Rock Daze! throbs with a heartfelt touch of sensitivity as it reflects on the trials of growing up and a love that encourages self-love. The song's sentiments are... [read more]
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MEMENTO
Terence Lam (Singer)
Emerging on the Cantopop scene with two astounding records, fast-rising singer-producer Terence Lam has become one of the hottest stars of Hong Kong over the past two years. Unlike his past releases (which included mostly his solely penned songs), Memento records Terence exploring more possibilities in his voice and music through collaborating with other songwriters and lyricists. He unfolds his summer tale in Memento with the chill and healing doodoodoo (Track 1) composed by Crowd Lu. Terence revisits different Hong Kong landmarks in his playful and imaginative lyrics while dancing to the lighthearted beats. Next, the singer gets ready to celebrate the hot season to the fullest in "Summer"... [read more]
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NewJeans EP Album Vol. 1 - New Jeans (Bluebook Version) (Random Version)
NewJeans
HYBE and ADOR's long-awaited first girl group has finally arrived! NewJeans, produced by the proficient Min Hee Jin, has been grabbing attention since day one with their musical and fashion aesthetics that are pleasing to both the ear and the eye. On August 1, the group officially made their debut with the self-titled EP New Jeans. "A-T-T-E-N-T-I-ON, attention is what I want. A-T-T-E-N-T-I-ON, you got me looking for attention." The groovy intro and title track Attention (Track 1) introduces audiences to the beautiful vocal timbres and harmonies of these rookies. As the group's first-ever release, Attention sets up a fresh and dynamic style for them with its dreamy and subtly laid-back... [read more]
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A Poem For You
Arrow Wei (Singer)
| Winni (Singer)
Since 2021, Arrow Wei has been releasing her remakes of different popular Mandopop hits, such as Queen Wei's "Rhythm of the Rain," Fish Leong's "Courage," Rachel Liang's "That Girl Said To Me," 831's "Miss You 3000," Zayin's "Blue Eyes," and more. This time, she collaborates with entertainer WINNI to melt our hearts with heartwarming duets. If Kenji Wu's "A Poem For You" is a soulful poem about how crazy he can go for his crush, Arrow and WINNI's remake of it would be an enchanting ode to love that gently recounts the romantic moments shared in a relationship. Delivered in the pure vocal tones of the girls, this newly arranged version of "A Poem For You" (Track 1) gives off a lovey-dovey... [read more]
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KARD Mini Album Vol. 5 - Re:
KARD
Following two years of wait, KARD finally returns with a new music release! The co-ed group revives their presence in the K-pop scene with their fifth mini-album Re:. J.seph, BM, So Min and Ji Woo all took part in writing lyrics for the intro Break Down (Track 1), a song that shows their edgy and powerful side: "You say I gotta look good, I gotta look bad. Then you go and look for things that I lack… You love when I break down." Co-composed by RBW's Kim Do Hoon and Lee Hyun Seung, lead single Ring The Alarm (Track 2) gives off joyous summer vibes with its refreshing Moombahton tune accompanied with subtly sexy lyrics: "Ring the alarm, get on it, get on it all. What you want, what you need,... [read more]
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MIXED NUTS EP (SINGLE+BLU-RAY) (Japan Version)
Official HIGE DANdism
Official HIGE DANdism's song Mixed Nuts should sound familiar to anyone who's been watching Spy x Family, but you don't have to know the anime to enjoy this flavorful EP. Opening with a reverbing explosion of notes, Mixed Nuts (Track 1) highlights the funky, jazzy side of HIGEDAN's signature piano rock sound. The energetic pop melody is underlined by an awesome bassline that pulsates with life and a joyous swirl of brass and percussion. Mixed Nuts has wittily philosophical lyrics about living "in this world like nuts packed in a bag." Like a bag of mixed nuts, this EP has more texture and variety to offer in its side tracks. Anarchy (Track 2) is a wonderful surprise, expanding the band's... [read more]
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LOST IN TOKYO (ALBUM+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition) (Japan Version)
SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS
You can always count on Soil & "Pimp" Sessions for classy and funky jazz that brims with exuberant energy. Their latest album Lost in Tokyo also brims with city vibes. Themed around Tokyo, the album explores and evokes the city through 12 tracks that include two songs featuring guest vocalists. Lost in Tokyo opens with an atmospheric intro track blending the sounds of water, chirping birds, the muffled clamor of a subway and crisp footsteps. It leads into Meiji-Jingumae 'Harajuku' (Track 2), whose title referring to a metro station interchange already gets you in a Tokyo state of mind. The playful skitter of piano keys against laid-back beats, smooth brass notes and an unrushed melody feels... [read more]
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Learning Curve (2CD)
Hung Kaho (Singer)
Hung Kaho – you may have heard of him from "Teardrops in the Ocean" (Warner's I Don't Wanna Be Your IG Story music project) or his collaborations with MC Cheung Tinfu. But now, the promising Hong Kong singer-songwriter has established his own style that makes him one of a kind in the Cantopop world. Four years after debut, Hung Kaho finally presents his first physical album Learning Curve, which captures his ventures into various "Experiences" and "Experiments" in his singing career. Arranged in chronological order, the 15 tracks in Learning Curve are listed from the most recent releases to the oldest. The record opens with several hit singles that helped Kaho make a name for himself: the... [read more]
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M87 (SINGLE+DVD) (First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Yonezu Kenshi
Yonezu Kenshi delivers another certified jam with his latest single M87, the theme song of the new Shin Ultraman movie. The singer-songwriter wastes no time getting started, opening straight away with stirring vocals and emotive imagery: "Because I saw the stars shining in the distant sky / I trembled as I chased the light." Hooking listeners from the first line, M87 reminds of Lemon in the best possible way with its clean and catchy alternative melody, rousing feelings and immediate earworm impact. At the same time, the song has an exciting storytelling quality in its free-flowing rhythm and use of different types of instrumental transitions. M87 technically follows a conventional... [read more]
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Raging Fire (2021) (Blu-ray) (Hong Kong Version)
Nicholas Tse (Actor)
| Donnie Yen (Actor)
| Qin Lan (Actor)
| Henry Mak (Actor)
When people think of Hong Kong's greatest action film directors, Benny Chan may not be among the first few names to come to mind – but he should be. From the late 90s onwards, there have been few directors as reliable for solid, unpretentious and entertaining Hong Kong action as Benny Chan. From Big Bullet, Divergence and Rob-B-Hood to Connected, The White Storm and Call of Heroes, his films may not have traveled as many fests and won as many awards as those of his more famous contemporaries, but they sure were fun to watch. Even the bad Benny Chan films, like City Under Siege and Meow, were spectacularly bad rather than bleh. Benny Chan's final feature Raging Fire is everything great about... [read more]
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MeloMance Mini Album Vol. 7 - Invitation
MeloMance
From their 2017 sleeper hit Gift to the recent Business Proposal soundtrack Love, Maybe, MeloMance specializes in heart-touching and melodious tunes that give us all the feels. Two and a half years after Festival, the duo returns with five self-penned love songs in Invitation to accompany us during the romantic blossoming season. Kim Min Seok and Jeong Dong Hwan invite us to a festival of love in their five-track record. Showing off his powerful and refreshing vocal, Kim Min Seok conveys the growing feeling of excitement as he's on his way to meet his crush in the rhythmic title track Invitation (Track 1) – "I thought of you and froze. I'm getting ready to meet up with you who reached out... [read more]
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