Unlike the weekend, there was much more news to sift through. While I was doing just that, I noticed a pattern ladies and gentlemen. The “S” word appeared a lot. Yes, I mean scandals. I didn’t need to spend more than 5 minutes to find the ones I have below. My strict protestant upbringing prevents me from searching further. More »

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If I lived in an East Asian country that celebrated White Day, I’d boycott it. Not because I’m bitter and single–I’m not–but because I think love should be celebrated by EVERYONE and not exclusive to just heterosexual couples. It’s an unfair holiday for same-sex couples, who are largely considered tabooed second-class citizens in Japan and Korea. I can imagine that for same-sex couples, this holiday means giving chocolates to each other under the pretense of being “just friends,” when their relationship is much more than friends and on a level that is unacknowledged by society. That’s not cool — love is for everyone. If you think so, too, check out the following organizations that support LGBT rights in East Asia: More »

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Ahhhh yes, love is once again in the air, your beau has sent you more chocolates than (s)he’ll ever find out you didn’t eat and that mysterious brown mold collection from Valentine’s Day isn’t getting any smaller. In the spirit of the infamous White Day - and just in case you were living under a rock - let us take an enlightening journey to the other V-Days of East Asia. More »

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Hey Ningin, hope you all had a great V-Day! I know I had a great time being food poisoned and spending a painful and sleepness night for all the wrong reasons. Being my first contribution here at Ningin I would like to say I am an absolute Hong Kong bad movie nut, and recently went on an inexplicable marathon to bring you all the tragic relationship movies of the recent past. More »

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It’s almost time for the most romantic time of the year: Valentine’s Day. Some of us will either treat or be treated to a most relaxing and pleasurable day. And some of us will spend it alone—wondering what in the heck happened to that arrow that cupid was supposed to hit us with?! During this special time of the year, there are many famous people who also celebrate it, and it makes me wonder what it would be like to spend Valentine’s Day with one of my favorite Asian stars… According to media experts (and myself, too!), here are some of the top ideal Valentine’s Day lovers. More »

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Don’t know what to do for the world’s most romantic (and fake) holiday? Celebrate it with Ghana Miso, the chocolate ramen!

Ghana Miso is the newest style of ramen noodles on the block. Brought to you by Musashi Menya (Japan’s number one ramen noodle dining restaurant) and Lotte (the makers of Ghana Milk Chocolate), this ramen noodle dish will be available now till February 15th for the Valentines season. More »

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My parents came to America thirty years ago—well, my dad came here a little earlier—but for my whole life, it’s just been my mom, my dad and my big brother; the rest of my family still lives in Taiwan. So, when it comes to Chinese New Year, our traditions are a little different, or should I say, flexible.

As children, my brother and I were like any other kid who came from a family that celebrated the lunar new year: we looked forward to 紅包 (hong bao) payday. Or should I say, those red envelopes stuffed with crisp, new bills, which all of my non-Asian friends knew about/were eager to know about; in the spirit of the holiday, I gave them sacks of chocolate coins. As for other Asian kids who had extended family in the states, they made their rounds and collected red envelopes like the tax man from hell. More »

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