Author Archives: Xxxtine

About Xxxtine

The main Canuck here I (sometimes) give a different perspective. I used to be 'read only' but you can actually hear me via POP 88 on 8Asians podcasting sister site Popcast88.com. Always trying to find that right balance between fluff and substance, I tend to focus my interests in discovering different perspectives. Look forward to hearing (and perhaps seeing) things you wouldn't anywhere else. Current vice and embarrassingly obsessed with: Kpop group AFTER SCHOOL

Reviews in 88 words or less – Toronto Reel Asian Festival – Part Deux

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Xxxtine

In an effort to keep promises, here’s part two of some of the films you can enjoy at this year’s Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival. Wonderful Town – director Aditya Assarat – Thailand Four years after the devastation of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Reviews | Tagged cinema, fairy tales, films, foreign, horror film, korea, Movies, reel asian, romance, thailand, Toronto | Leave a comment

12th Annual Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival – Reviews in 88 words or less, Part 1

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Xxxtine

The 12th Annual Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival kicks off this coming Wednesday, November 12th at the Bloor Cinema in Toronto’s Annex Village and runs till Sunday, November 16th. Billed as one of the best little film festival the city … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, POP 88, Reviews, The Arts | Tagged Canada, documentaries, experimental, features, Film Festival, Michael Kang, Min Sook Lee, reel asian, Siu Ta, Toronto, West 32nd | 1 Comment

POP 88 #23 – Ballad Special

Posted on November 8, 2008 by Xxxtine

For regular listeners, and those who subscribe over at POPcast88.com would already know this has been out for about a week. (Sorry for the delay in posting this here.) In this episode, thanks to an overwhelming amount of response is … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Music, POP 88, The Arts | Tagged 2AM, Alex, ballads, Cheon Sang Ji Hee, Clazziquai, Fly to the Sky, Jewelry, jpop, Kangta, kpop, Namie Amuro, Seo In Young, Tenjochiki, The Grace, Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival, Vanness | Leave a comment

POP 88 #22 – House Music Mix

Posted on October 1, 2008 by Xxxtine

Happy October Everyone! The Popcast88 is going to be going under some heavy renovation from now until November. I’m very excited as I’m completely in love with the new logo. Please look forward to the many surprises that we’re currently … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Entertainment, Music, POP 88 | Tagged AmiYumi, Bodytalk, CHEMISTRY, Cheon Sang Ji Hee, Clazziquai, Cosmicolor, house music, House Rulez, J, M Net, M-Flo, MINMI, PUFFY, Stand Up People, Tenjochiki, The Grace, Will-W, 박정아, 제이, 천상지희 | Leave a comment

POP 88 #21 – Q and A with Gordon Liu

Posted on August 11, 2008 by Xxxtine

I hope you all out there are enjoying your summer and I also hope it’s not as wet as mine is. We’ve broken a record with the amount of rain that has dropped in Toronto which means I cherish each … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, POP 88 | Tagged chae yeon, Crown J, DBSK, DOUBLE, Gordon Liu, Heroes of the East, Jewelry, Justin Timberlake, KAIST, Mash up, Namie Amuro, Red Roc, Seo In Young, Tohoshinki, We Got Married | Leave a comment

POP 88 #20 – Special Metal Show

Posted on June 15, 2008 by Xxxtine

Special thanks to Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden for taking the time to speak with me about their upcoming documentary, GLOBAL METAL. GLOBAL METAL is the sequel to the successful documentary METAL: A Headbanger’s Journey about the evolution of Heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, POP 88 | Tagged Anna Tsuchiya, ball, Base, BaseBallBear, bear, China, Gao Qi, Global Metal, H.O.T., heavy metal, Japan, Moon Jee Hun, music, NANA, NoGoD, overload, sam dunn, Scot McFayden, Seville Pictures, Tang Dynasty, X Japan | Leave a comment

POP 88 #19 – Korean Music Festival Special

Posted on May 28, 2008 by Xxxtine

While Canada was having a nice Victoria Day long weekend, I was down in LA at the Korean Music Festival held at the Hollywood Bowl. I originally had not intended to go, but then all the signs were telling me … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Music, POP 88, Reviews | Tagged chae yeon, DBSK, Dong Bang Shin Ki, drunk, fan meeting, Fly to the Sky, G.O.D., Girls Generation, H.O.T., hollywood bowl, Korean music festival, korean pop, Minwoo, Moon Hee Jun, Shinhwa, SNSD, Son Ho Young, Super Junior T, TVXQ | 4 Comments

POP 88 #18 – The Cover/ Sample Show + Int. with Siu Ta

Posted on May 11, 2008 by Xxxtine

Welcome one and all to the 18th episode – thanks for checking it out. This episode I challenge you to name all the original performers of the songs I play on the show, plus we have an interview with Director/ … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, POP 88 | Tagged 3D Photography, cover songs, fortune cookie, Korean music festival, samples, Siu Ta | Leave a comment

Chinese Heavy Metal Music

Posted on May 10, 2008 by Xxxtine

“The metal look works for Chinese males. This shit sprouts out of our head quite naturally and it looks pretty good. And that echoes with the great warriors of ancient times. Long hair means martial prowess.” – Kaiser Kuo, Tang … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, Reviews | Tagged gary qi, heavy metal, overload, sam dunn | 3 Comments

POP 88 #17 – The COMEBACK Show

Posted on April 1, 2008 by Xxxtine

What seems like an eternity, I’m back with a new show with new music from artists who’ve recently ‘Comeback’ to the spotlight this year. Music from Andy from Shinhwa, Jewelry, Namie Amuro and Toshinobu Kubota. Also I review the recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Music, POP 88, Reviews | Tagged Fortune Cookie Chronicles, Hot Docs, Min Sook Lee, POP 88, Short and Male, Siu Ta | 2 Comments

Birthdays in Korea … and other dirty laundry exposed.

Posted on March 19, 2008 by Xxxtine

It should be a safe bet that those reading this blog know of the lunar calendar – not so much know its mechanics, but rather know its function with regards to important dates like Lunar New Year and the Lunar … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , Anita Lee, birthday, Jean Yoon, Lunar Calendar | 6 Comments

Wanted: Asian-American music industry

Posted on March 16, 2008 by Xxxtine

I remember long ago when I worked at an Asian North American lifestyle magazine and co-hosted an Asian music radio show the amount of CDs I would receive and cringe having to listen to in order to review them. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Music, Observations | 12 Comments