There’s a lot of chitchat about Utada’s new American album “This Is The One”. And not just about the music, but the album art too. Few people thought the album art for the “Come Back To Me” single would also remain the album art for “This Is The One”.

Ningin asked a few graphic designers what they thought about “This Is The One” from a design standpoint. Their musical tastes were not a factor. More »

49 Comments

Finally, “This Is The One” comes out in the US today via digital download. We’ll still have to wait until May 12 to buy the hard copy CD. Don’t ask me why. I mean, the CD has already been released in Japan! While we wonder, you can download the sultry “Come Back To Me” video for free in the iTunes Store right here. (It’s like an arty version of “Easy Breezy”… is that good or bad? Download and decide!)

I’ve had the album in heavy rotation in my iPod and my conclusions are as follows: More »

46 Comments

Can you believe it? It’s almost the end of March! My my the year is passing by fast.

Anyways I hope you guys heard the recent Utada party announcement. Utada will be partying it up in NYC with all her fans for the digital release of her album. You not only get to meet her but possible win her album in addition to some promo goodies. Be sure to go out and support her!

Enjoi! More »

34 Comments

Haven’t partied with Utada yet? Here’s your chance!

With her album digitally dropping on March 23, Angels & Kings is hosting an album release party in Utada’s name. And yes, Utada will be there herself. So not only will she be there but you’ll be able to listen to the album, get free promo items and possibly win an advance copy. What more could you ask for? More »

43 Comments

This was another super popular contest. It’s too bad we don’t have more Utada stuff to give away. It’s even more unfortunate she doesn’t do many concerts and performances. But we’ve been in touch with her label and publicist so hopefully some things will work out. More »

44 Comments

Happy Friday the 13th! So far my bad luck has consisted of getting sick and horrible weather. But that doesn’t mean all of you going out tonight have to suffer! I hope everyone attending the BoA party tonight enjoys themselves because I won’t be there myself.

Anyways here this week’s wrap up! I’m making this short this week because I lack sufficient health. More »

17 Comments

Hope you guys enjoyed yourselves as the JYP tour comes to an end. We still have more coverage coming up, so stay tuned.

It’s definitely been a long week as we enter the month of March, but there’s a lot to look forward to this month. Not only did we get to see JYP Entertainment here in the US, but we also get BoA and Utada’s US debut albums. Wewt.

Enjoi! More »

22 Comments

Utada has been pretty busy since we last interviewed her. Faithful Utada fans should have already seen her LA video by now. Only a few more weeks till Utada’s new album is coming out. I know I’m very excited. In the meantime, here’s a small Utada fix that will help pass the time – Utada Contest #2 for an autographed Exodus album. More »

44 Comments

Utada’s been out in full force these past few weeks to get herself known in mainstream America. Island Def Jam (Utada’s American record label) sent us this cool little video of what Utada’s been doing out in LA—during the Grammys! With four weeks left to go until the release of This Is The One, Utada is out there making lots of friends — and new fans! More »

38 Comments

It has definitely been an eventful week! Not only did we have an interview with Utada, but it was also the world premiere of the Yatterman movie AND the announcement of the partnership between Ningin and JYP Entertainment! If you weren’t around this week, be sure to check them out!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, who knows what will happen next week.

Here’s this weeks wrap up: More »

5 Comments

Hope you guys have already made plans for V-day, because it’s just around the corner!

And after that comes March which meaning Apop overload! It seems that a handful of Apop artists are releasing their new albums in March (Utada, BoA, Epik High and Se7en). For whatever reason they may all be releasing their albums in the same month, I’m looking forward to each and every one of them!

As always, enjoi! More »

10 Comments

So you’ve probably heard by now. Utada sat down with Ningin ningens David, Hoc and Megu for a casual interview 27 floors up on the West side of Manhattan. Her upcoming English language album, This Is The One, is set for a March debut and will be released in America and Japan. The second of two parts, Utada talked about how she “ought to” plan a tour, video games, and being thankful for every moment. More »

81 Comments

While David was chatting away with Utada, I was sitting on the couch with Utada’s father and manager, Teruzane Utada. Oh man, is he a cool guy! It’s too bad I can’t share some of the stories he told me about Utada. Perhaps one day I can…

Thanks to Mr. Utada, we have the following autographed photo of Utada which we’ll be giving away to a lucky fan. All you have to do is send a private message to “utada_contest” with the message, “I Heart Utada” and that’s it! More »

80 Comments

Utada was back in New York City this past week and somehow found the time to meet with Ningin ningens David, Hoc and Megu. No Ningin camera crew this time. Just a casual interview 27 floors up on the West side of Manhattan with Utada and her father. Utada was lounging out like it was a lazy Sunday with just a T-shirt, jeans and an ear flapped knit cap - except it was Monday. Her upcoming English language album, This Is The One, is set for a March debut and will be released in America and Japan. In this first of two parts, Utada talked about record label politics and writing her new album. More »

81 Comments

Last night, I had a dream. I was waiting at the bus stop and an email showed up on my iPhone:

Dear David, Come Back To Me. Click here.

40 Comments

1. SM Entertainment audition - 1998 BoA follows one of her older brothers to an SM Entertainment talent search. As fate would have it, BoA ends up auditioning too. BoA is 11 years old. Her older brother is not selected.

2. MTV Asia Awards - 2004 BoA wins big at the 2004 MTV Asia Awards held in Singapore. She is awarded “Most Influential Asian Artist” and “Favorite Artist Korea”. She is 18 years old.

3. Yokohama Arena - 2007 BoA steals the show live on stage with m-flo in front of a massive crowd at Yokohama Arena (pictured). She performs “The Love Bug” with Verbal of m-flo as a special guest for m-flo’s COSMICOLOR TOUR 2007.

4. Top of the ORICON charts - 2008 BoA’s 6th Japanese album “THE FACE” hits #1 on the ORICON charts. Just as importantly, Ayumi Hamasaki’s “GUILTY” only reaches #2 which ends Ayumi’s streak at eight #1 albums. Can BoA take the crown and be the first artist in Japan to chart an incredible nine #1 albums?

5. “Eat You Up” released in USA - 2008 “Eat You Up” is BoA’s first all English single. SM Entertainment USA releases it first as a digital single on iTunes and Amazon.com then on CD. It marks a bold move for BoA into the tough American pop music market. Other Asian artists such as Coco Lee and Utada Hikaru have tried without success. Will BoA be the first to break through? More »

36 Comments