Plans for Taeyang's solo album revealed

YG Entertainment has confirmed that Taeyang will definitely release a complete album and not a mini-album for his second solo venture. They have presented a nice cache of songs finished and ready for the album. It was also revealed that the album will be released in October if all go as planned.

There is a possibility that his second album will be delayed, and if that does happen, then they might release one of the tracks off the album as a digital single before the full album is released. Unfortunately, no previews are out just yet, but we'll find out more soon enough

Taeyang was the first Big Bang member to enjoy the sweet taste of solo success with his first album "Hot". I was really into his song "Only look at me" for a long time. G-Dragon has recently tried a hand at solo debuting and he has done really well, topping the charts, but I think out of all the Big Bang members Taeyang is almost guaranteed to have success as a solo artist, and in my opinion, the most talented..or maybe I'm just biased O_o  
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Son Dambi and Lee Seung Gi in Los Angeles!

Son DamBi is finally having a concert in America with Lee Seung Gi.. Powerhouse is partnering with MBC America in presenting an amazing one-day concert featuring Son DamBi and Lee SeungGi on Saturday,  November 14th at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

This will be a joint concert between the two. They are two of the most popular artists in Korea today. It will be the first time they perform on the same stage together, and I believe the first time performing in the U.S.

Son DamBi is currently starring in the SBS Drama "Dream" with Ju Jin Mo and Kim Bum (from Kdrama "Boys Before Flowers"). For those who don't know Lee Seung Gi, he starred in the recently very successful SBS Korean drama "Shining Inheritance" as  Sun Woo Hwan. He is also a very talented singer with a soothing voice, baby face and heart-warming smile.

Tickets have not yet gone on sale, but when they do, they will be available at Powerhouse Live. Prices range from $30 to $120.

Don't miss out on this possibly once in a 'long time' opportunity! If you can make it and you love Son DamBi or Lee Seung Gi, you should go! It's really a shame that I don't live in LA, everything seems to be happening there this year.
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Juri Ueno and the Five Bags

Actress Juri Ueno recently promoted a series of five TV dramas she stars in where the plotline revolves around a bag. "I have great enthusiasm for these dramas as I became involved in this project at an early stage..even before shooting began," Ueno told a recent promotional event in Tokyo for the drama series named "Ueno Juri to Itsutsu no Kaban." (Ueno Juri and the Five Bags) The series will be released this Wednesday, September 9th.

PS: Believe it or not, the bag she's holding in the picture is 200million Yen. Shocked? So was I.

Ueno said the director and scriptwriters gave free rein to their imagination in writing stories based on Ueno Juri and bags. She said the stories show just what a wide range of different situations the directors could come up with just from her name and bags. "That stimulated me very much," Ueno said. She will be playing 5 different roles in 5 episodes, directed by 5 different directors, but all of them focus on the theme of bags.

Here's Ueno at the promotional event showing off some of the bags:

You're probably thinking..a drama about a bag? I watched the trailer, and I have to say, this is much more interesting than I thought it would be. It's a very original and unique drama, which only Ueno could pull off. Plus, I love handbags! Which girl doesn't?

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Music core- Cherry Filter!

Cherry Filter rocks music core with their performance of their new song pianissimo! A Korean rock band with a stage debut, when was the last time you saw that?



Who isn't in love with this song. There seriously needs to be more korean rock bands, there almost non existent. Cherry Filter's 6th studio album was released August 27th Rocksteric.
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Music Core- F(x) debut stage!

Check new korean girl group F(x)'s debut stage. I think this group has alot of potential.


The Debut performance was very clean and crisp, you can tell they've been practicing hard. I see this new group becoming very popular. Some people are saying F(x) may take fans away from SNSD, but I don't think that will happen. SNSD and F(x) are under the same management but are completely different. Do you think SNSD will have to watch out for F(x)?
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(M/V) Kim Tae Woo- Love Rain

Kim Tae Woo originally the lead singer of popular boy band g.o.d. Is out with his second album T-virus. His Last album was in 2007 then he enlisted in the army for his mandatory military service.


The beginning of the video is a little draggy, but once it gets started its really great. I love how hes hearing the music through the phone and singing very creative.
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Johnny's idols in min-project!

Several Johnny's Jimusho idols will participate in a television mini-drama project on Fuji TV. Titled "0 Goushitsu no Kyaku," the show will consist of six stories, each lasting for a month. The weekly episodes will be 15 minutes long.

The drama is set in a city hotel called Point, where there is a strange "Room 0" that can reveal one's "grade" as a human being. Various guests with different circumstances visit the room, hoping to determine their own worth.

The first story stars Arashi's Satoshi Ohno as a salaryman who visits the room with a kyabakura hostess, only to discover that she gets a higher grade than he does.

In the second story, Kanjani8's Ryuhei Maruyama and Shota Yasuda play a comedy duo. Although they get along well, they can't find success together, so they visit the room to measure themselves.

The rest of the stories will be led by Shigeaki Kato (NEWS), Shingo Murakami (Kanjani8), Keiichiro Koyama (NEWS), and Shigeru Joshima (TOKIO), in that order. Yu Yokoyama (Kanjani8) will appear throughout the entire series as the storyteller.

The project will start with Ohno's story on October 23. Fuji TV will air the show late on Friday nights, at 1:05am which is 12:05pm eastern time.
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H1N1 in Japan

A total of 1,330 cases of group infections of influenza A, most of which are believed to have been caused by the H1N1 strain, were confirmed at schools, medical and welfare facilities in Japan in the week of Aug 24 to 30, roughly a 1.5-fold increase from 897 logged in the previous week, the health ministry said Wednesday.

The death toll from the H1N1 flu, meanwhile, rose to 10 in Japan as the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said the same day a man aged 69 in Kyoto Prefecture and anther man in his 70s in Kochi Prefecture had died. Both had underlying ailments, according to the ministry. The latest data pushed the total number of group infections above 4,000 as the weekly figure has been rising for five weeks in a row since the health ministry began collecting data on group infections in late July.

More celebrities have been affected by the spreading flu in Japan. Toshiaki Kasuga of the comedy duo Audrey and guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro of Okinawan band BEGIN.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that NEWS members Ryo Nishikido and Tomohisa Yamashita had been hit by the flu. NEWS had participated in the "24 Hour Television" telethon over the weekend, along with Audrey and many other celebrities. NTV has now urged caution to all of the attendees, as the flu may have easily spread during the event. Like Nishikido and Yamashita, Kasuga are taking a break from work. His flu was confirmed as type A, but it was not revealed whether it is the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

Meanwhile, Shimabukuro of BEGIN caught the flu in Fukuoka during the band's current tour, though the type of flu was not mentioned. As a result, the band postponed three shows that were scheduled for August 31 in Fukuoka, September 2 in Yamaguchi, and September 4 in Oita. The concerts have been rescheduled for December 27, 26, and 24, respectively. There's probably hundreds more cases out there and people don't even know the have it. I hope Japan will get this completely under control very soon.
sources: japantoday,tokyograph
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Ayabie releases new album!

Ayabie released new album "Natsu Monogatari on August 8th. There are 3 tracks: Natsu Monogatari, Yubiki ri, and Secret Room.

Wow, they look soooo different without the makeup, elegant costumes and accesories I rememeber them in. Also, can't believe how much vocalist Aoi has changed. He used to have such big eyes. I guess some visual kei-ers are giving up that style for a more "normal" look these days. I think I really like the new look because actually know what they look like now..cute! But, still loved them much more back then though. They look more pop-ish than J-rock. The songs from their new album are ok, but for now I prefer the old Ayabie

Vocalist, Aoi's voice is still the same. He has a very unique voice that I like a lot. I'm not too crazy about this MV though.




Here's my favorite song from their new album "Secret Room":



What do you think? Do you think Ayabie's change was for the better, worst, or do you need some more time to let it grow on you?
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An Cafe Indefinite Hiatus!

Rock band An Cafe announced on their official website on Monday that they will be suspending their activities next year. Their last concert will be on January 4, 2010, at the Nippon Budokan.

According to their message, the band had many discussions with their staff, and it was decided that the members would take some time to recharge and prepare for an eventual restart of the band. However, the length of their hiatus was not specified.

Formed in 2003, An Cafe has found popularity not only in Japan, but overseas as well. They have performed multiple times in the United States and across Europe. Someone tell why are they doing this to me. Anyone who knows me knows that An cafe is one of my favorite Jrock bands. I hope he hiatus is short.

An cafe's newest song Natsu game (summer game)


One of Their popular songs also from Darker then Black (anime)
An cafe- Kakusei Heroism ( The hero without a name)

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(M/V) F(x)- Lachata

What do you think of sm entertainments new girl group F(x)? Their MV had finally been released!



Hmm the song is ok not as catchy I guess as julliete or tell me your wish. The dancing was pretty good, I didn't expect anything really complicated. The dance was like a mixture of SNSD and Shinee which I think is pretty neat (I just said neat how old am I??). I'm really looking forward to seeing how they perform live.

Sidenotes:
-Group member Krystal Jung is Jessica's little sister (SNSD)
-The one you think is a boy isn't!
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Actress Jang Jin-young passes away

Earlier today at 4:05PM Kr time, the young and talented actress Jang Jin-young, was lost to stomach cancer. Jang Jin-young was diagnosed with stomach cancer on September 22nd of last year.

After being diagnosed she and her boyfriend (now husband) Kim, left Korea and went to the US to receive treatment. There were reports that the treatment was going well and she was regaining health, so the news today that her condition had worsened shocked many and brought tears to many more since her passing.

Her family and husband watched her go through so much pain in all this time. Just a few hours ago, there was news that Jang Jin-young and boyfriend Kim completed their marriage registration on August 28th in Korea, before her passing. It was reported that Jang Jin-young wanted to end the relationship with Kim after finding out about her illness, but he stayed by her till the end. I'm sure despite all the physical pain, she must have been happy to have someone that loves her so much to be with her.

I've never heard of her before, but it's so sad when people die, especially from an illness.. and it's really hard on the family and her husband. Rest in Peace Jang Jin-young and condolences to the family for their great loss.
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(M/V)4minute- Muzik

Check out 4minutes new music video for their song Muzik of their mini album.


I really like this song I'm glad Hyunah is not doing her squeaky voice rap, it was a little irritating. Is it me or did anyone else notice the leader got the most screen time. All in all a good music video.
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Smap #1 and Arashi reaches 1 million!

SMAP managed to come out on top of the weekly charts with their newest single, "Sotto Kyutto / Superstar." The song ended its first week with close to 105,000 in sales, overcoming the early lead taken by girl group AKB48's "Iiwake Maybe." The girls were not far behind at #2 for the week, with 91,000 copies sold.

For SMAP, "Sotto Kyutto" is their 11th consecutive (22nd overall) #1 single. It is also their 44th consecutive top ten single, which puts them one ahead of B'z. Ayumi Hamasaki is currently the only other artist who has released 44 top ten singles.

Three "K-On!" character singles ranked highly, occupying the #3, #5, and #6 spots. Spitz came in at #7, while abingdon boys school took #8 and Buono! took #10.

On the album charts, Arashi kept the #1 seat with their "All the BEST! 1999-2009," which sold an additional 233,000 copies for the week. On the daily charts of August 31, in the album's 13th day on sale, the album reached 1 million in total sales, making it Arashi's first million-seller. It is also the first album of 2009 to break 1 million.

Acid Black Cherry's new album charted at #2 with 78,000 copies sold. A pair of best albums by Vocaloid virtual idol Miku Hatsune ranked #4 and #5. Other new releases in the top ten were a drama CD for "Hetalia: Axis Powers" (#6), a best album by capsule (#7), a soundtrack for "PLAYZONE 2009" (#8), and a mini-album by Hiroshi Kamiya (#9).
source:tokyograph
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Japanese couple wins 7th World Tango Championships!

For the first time, a Japanese married couple has danced to victory and won the salon dancing category of the Seventh World Tango Championships in finals held Saturday in Buenos Aires, knocking the reigning Argentines out of the top spot. This is an amazing achievement, a milestone actually, for Japanese dancers.

Hiroshi Yamao and his wife, Kyoko placed first in the traditional Tango Salon category of the 7th edition of the international competition at Luna Park stadium this weekend, taking home a cash prize of about $4,000 Cdn. They earned the highest point score during Friday's semifinal and was praised by the jury for the "dexterity and feeling" of their final performance. Yamao said, "We came here to dance and enjoy ourselves, without thinking anything big," "We would like to express our thanks for the huge support we've received from everyone here."


When they won the finals on Saturday, they wrote in their blog, "We finally became the world's No. 1! Thank you very much for supporting us."

Yamao must have been yelling "Banzai!!" when they won, haha. I know just by watching that Tango is a very difficult dance. You have to have spirit as much as technique. It's a language in movement that tells stories if done properly. Without that, the dance would just look like a series of steps; nothing interesting. And, for a Japanese to snatch the title in tango from Argentineans is probably not easier than an Argentinean to win the Sumo championship. So this shows really how much of an achievement they made. As a fellow dancer (in a sense^^) i'm really really proud of them. They really inspire me. Keep working hard!


Source - JapanToday; CBCNEWS.ca
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Norika Fujiwara's a "Cabaret" girl

Actress Norika Fujiwara (38), gave the media a peek at the saucy number she will be wearing on stage for upcoming musical "Cabaret." In the musical, set in 1930's Berlin, with the rise of Nazi Germany, Fujiwara will play Sally Bowles, a cabaret girl at the shabby Kit Kat club.

Fujuwara played a showgirl in "Drowsy Chaperone" last January, and looks in good shape for "Cabaret." She shows off her 88-60-89 figure in an eye-catching black-lace piece, which I believe is a very nice figure.

"Cabaret" became a Broadway show in 1966 and was made into a movie in 1972, starring Liza Minelli. The upcoming version directed by Shuichiro Koike will be staged at the Nissay Theater in Tokyo from Jan 7 - Jan 29 and at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka from Feb 5 - Feb 7. dates for the shows in Nagoya and KitaKyushu have not yet been confirmed.
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Rain starts asian tour!

Korean singer and actor Rain kicked off his Asian tour, “Legend of Rainism,” at the Saitama Super Arena, Japan, Saturday and Sunday.

Unlike other performances for which the stage is symmetrical, 27-year-old Rain took a different approach, using an asymmetrical design with additional stage blocks and props on one side. Rain’s agency, J.Tune Entertainment, explained that they came up with the distinctive look because the singer wanted to offer a bit of an edge.

After opening the concert with “My Way” and “Touch Ya,” Rain paid tribute to the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson by singing “Billie Jean” and donning the signature fedora and dance moves. In an interview with local press regarding the death of Jackson, Rain mentioned that the American singer was the reason he started dancing as a young student.

Rain has been known as the “king of performance” due to his flashy dance moves, expressions and charismatic stage presence, but this time he showed his softer side by presenting romantic ballads such as “The Thing About Love” and “My Girl.” This was the first time the singer has squeezed a romantic sequence into his show, and it was the perfect way to show that he has grown as an artist.

One of the most distinctive features of the concert was that Rain was backed by a live band, unlike his previous concerts in which he sang over recorded tunes.

The singer sang 25 numbers, including encores, for two and a half hours ― quite a vigorous set ― and according to his agency, he had been working out and rehearsing for the concert for the past six months to offer fans a perfect and energetic performance.

J.Tune Entertainment added that the dates for further concerts have been confirmed. Rain will perform in Seoul at the Olympic Stadium, Oct. 9 and 10 and in Hong Kong on Dec. 12 and 13.

The agency explained that further dates and venues in different countries will be announced as soon as plans for the promotion tour for Rain’s upcoming Hollywood movie “Ninja Assassin” is confirmed. The October concert will be the singer’s first concert in Seoul in three years.

“Ninja Assassin,” in which Rain appears as the ruthless ninja, will be released Nov. 25.

Tickets for the Seoul performance cost from 40,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.rainism.com. For a great rain fanblog you should check out our friend Raindrops she has lots of rain info and treats to feed your addiction.I really want to see him in concert why must I be so poor.
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Ryo Nishikido, Tomohisa may have H1N1!?!?

Ryo Nishikido

Popular idols Ryo Nishikido (24) and Tomohisa Yamashita (24) have reportedly been infected with influenza A, according to a fax sent out by their management on Tuesday. It is said that there is a possibility that they have the H1N1 strain.

Tomohisa Yamashita

Nishikido was diagnosed with the flu on Monday, and Yamashita was diagnosed the following day. Their doctor has instructed them to take a break from work and remain confined to their homes until they recover.

Nishikido currently appears in the TBS drama series "Orthros no Inu." The seventh episode is scheduled to air on Friday, September 4, but some of Nishikido's scenes have still not yet been filmed. As a result, there may be changes to this week's broadcast, and future episodes will depend on his recovery.

UPDATE: Fuji TV has also stated that some of Yamashita's scenes are not yet done for the next episode of "Buzzer Beat."

Some Buzzer Beat for those who have no idea who these people are.

Watch Buzzer Beat #01(HQ-digital) in Drama  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
I Plan on doing a review on this drama sometime soon once I watch a little more.

Orthros no Inu

Watch Orthros no inu #06(HQ-digital) in Drama  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
I haven't watched a single episode of this drama so I have no idea whats going on here. It looks like something I would like (judging form the first 5 min) so I think ill check it out.
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4000 Fans cheer for Yunho!

On August 31st, Yunho was shooting for MBC’s new drama series “Heading To The Ground” at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Today’s shooting unfolds the scene of Cha Bong-gun playing a football game for ‘FC SOUL’.

“Heading To The Ground” staff announced the notification about the open shooting held at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m through the drama’s official website. However, Yunho’s fans already slowly began to fill the stadium at 6pm.

Approximately 4,000 fans of Yunho filled the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. Before shooting started, the fans started to chant Yunho’s role name “Cha Bong-gun! Cha Bong-gun!” while were waiting for his appearance.

At 8.30 p.m Yunho finally appeared at the field, and the 4000 fans cheered for him simultaneously.

Standing in the middle of the field Yunho said jokingly, “There are so many of you who came. Now all of you have become part of“Heading To The Ground” cast, I ask for your cooperative actions, please.”



“We are shooting a scene where Cha Bong-gun makes his debut. I can see many of you already carrying placards with the name ‘Cha Bong-gun’ on it, but it won’t be appropriate for the scene (as this is still Bong-gun’s debut). Please put off your placards.” he asked a favor to the fans.

One of “Heading To The Ground” staff met the press, said, “We never expect to get so many fans like this. We were astonished. Thanks to Yunho’s fans, the shooting today seems to be easier to proceed.”TVXQ fans are really something else but in a good way. They are always very supportive of TVXQ, like when they handed in the signatures to court.
source:Asiae.co.kr,minsarang
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My Darling is a foreigner

Actress Mao Inoue, 22, famous as Makino Tsukushi in “Hana yori dango,” and actor Jonathan Sherr, 35, will play husband and wife in the upcoming movie version of the popular comic book series “My Darling is a Foreigner.”

Written and illustrated by Saori Oguri, the comic books tell the tales of her life with Danish-American husband Tony Laszlo, as they encounter and overcome cultural differences and barriers. The series has sold over 2 million copies and snippets have been shown inside JR trains in Tokyo since 2007, providing comic relief for the crowds traveling to work and school and so forth.

Gomenasai I would translate but some of the text is to blurry, but doesn't it seem funny!

Filming has already begun and Inoue commented on the warm atmosphere, saying she wants it to continue right the way through. “I’ve never had a foreign boyfriend, but quite a few of my friends and relatives have,” Inoue said. “So they tell me it’s likely I will have one too! I imagine it would be fun being in an international relationship, and the small things of everyday life would be interesting.”

Inoue also commented on Sherr’s good looks, saying: “When I first met him, I thought ‘Wow! He’s cool!’”

Sherr said he couldn’t believe he was chosen for the part. “I wondered if it was OK for me to star beside such a beautiful woman.”

“My Darling is a Foreigner” will open in cinemas next spring. I can't wait to see it, I think I might purchase the comics first though.
source:cinematoday, japantoday
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4minute album preview!

Is it What you expected?



Even though its only 30 seconds its pretty much what I thought it would sound like. I will have to wait for the album to come out before I make any judgments though.
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(M/V)Delight- Happy birthday to me

New korean Group Delight is out with their first single. There are four members Dk, Zxis, Dyu-Dyu, and U-Me



Im not much of a slow song/ballad person but I really like this song.

Check out the making!

The making has some funny parts. During the beginning I was like what the.The part with the girl and the mirror freaked me out when I first watched it to.
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GDragon solo debut!

Check out GDragons solo debut performance! I think it came out just like the music video.



I think he sounds kind of tired is it me? The performance was exactly what I expected.
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Shiina Ringo's 5th PV DVD

Shiina Ringo released her fifth PV DVD last Wednesday, August 26th. The DVD is titled "Seiteki HEALING ~Sono Yon~. The DVD contains 6 PV's.



PV DVD List:
1. Shun
2. Ryuukou
3. Irokoi Sata
4. Ariamaru Tomi
5. Tsugou no ii Shintai
6. Marunouchi SADISTIC (EXPO Ver.)


I love Shiina Ringo! Her vocals are really beautiful and jazzy. She's so classy but can be a real bad-ass sometimes. Check her out in her new PV "Ryuukou." Love this song!


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(M/V) Matsushita Yuya

Seven months after the release of single "Last Snow," Matsushita Yuya will be releasing his 3rd single "Honesty/Negai ga Kanau Nara..." The single was released last Wednesday, August 26th. It came out in CD-only format and a limited CD+DVD version.

CD Track list:
1. Honesty
2. Negai ga Kanau Nara...
3. Honesty -acoustic version-
4. Honesty -instrumental-
5. Negai ga Kanau Nara -instrumental-



Doesn't Yuya remind you a little of Se7en (in style of dancing and vocals)? Plus he's really cute =)
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A Gundam Wedding

Bridegroom Yasuo Kai(38) and his bride, Megumi(37), pose during their wedding ceremony in front of the 18-meter-high life-size statue of Mobile Suit Gundam, a popular robot from an animated TV series, at Daiba in Tokyo. They were chosen from about 550 couples who applied for a plan offered by a Tokyo company that organizes weddings.

Bandai unveiled the life-size Gundam in Tokyo's Odaiba Shiokaze park, on July 11th, to mark the 30th aniiversary of the highly successful Mobile Suit Gundam franchise.

What could possibly be more awesome than having your wedding by the Gundam monument? Well, i'm sure there are better places to have a wedding, but that's pretty cool, no?

Best of luck to the happy couple!

Source - JapanToday
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