Compiled by Jennie Shin

Yao Ming Says Image is Everything

Rockets basketball star Yao Ming is suing Coca-Cola China for using his picture on commemorative bottles in China. Yao, who has an endorsement deal with soft-drink rival Pepsi in the US wants to protect his image and name in this conflicting matter. According to Yao’s official website, he seeks the compensation amount of 1 yuan (12 cents) and an apology in the Chinese media. Yao’s intention seems to be in protecting his legal rights rather than economic gains.

The bottles sold in Yao’s hometown of Shanghai feature him in Chinese national team uniforms. Yao, who was the No. 1 draft pick in the NBA last year, did play in the Asian Games for China, but since he signed to the Rockets he can’t be representing himself in another jersey. Brenda Lee, the spokesperson for Coca-Cola’s Chinese subsidiary, says that since the members are wearing national team jerseys, they are representing the team rather than themselves. Coke also says they have the legal rights under a sponsorship agreement to show groups of at least three members of the Chinese national team despite what the players are doing currently. Lee mentions that Coca-Cola hasn’t received legal documents, and hopes to settle the matter outside of court.

Coco Lee Back in the Recording Studio

Having already released a successful worldwide debut English album in February 2000, Coco Lee is gearing up for her second one which is an exciting collaborative work with the help of renowned Hip-Hop group Neptunes. Coco says it was well worth the $100,000 per song written by Neptunes. She is extremely excited and hopes her new album will debut this summer.

Prime Image Media Group Introduces Asian American Music Conference

The first Asian American Music Conference, introduced by Prime Image Media Group, is meeting the demands of a growing community of Asian American talent. The conference features many facets of the music industry including expert advice on different parts of the biz as well as information ranging from music production, touring, artist management, distribution, and media as well as networking and showcasing opportunities.

The Asian American Music Conference will be preceded by a four-part workshop designed to assist individuals in all areas of a career in music. The workshops are scheduled to start in early June and will conclude with the conference this November. This opportunity is a must for those individuals interested in the music industry.
www.aarising.com

Dat Phan Wants to be the Last Comic Standing

NBC has a new reality show in its Tuesday night lineup called the “Last Comic Standing: The Search for the Funniest Person in America.” The show is hosted and executive-produced by actor/comedian Jay Mohr (“Mohr Sports”). The new series is a nationwide talent search for both professional and non-professional comedians who will compete for an exclusive talent contract with NBC.

Comedian Dat Phan has made it passed the selection process and is featured in the NBC website under the audition video clips. We hope Dat Phan is the last comic standing! This new spin of reality programming has an eight-episode commitment- Move over American Idol!

Dat Phan is a popular San Diego comic who is also part of the all Asian American lineup at the Laugh Factory.

Alina Cho Named ABC’s First Online News Correspondent

After joining ABC 17 months ago, Alina Cho has been announced ABC’s first on-air-correspondent for its 24-hour news channel. Cho has already worked for ABC’s overnight news programs and its NewsOne service. She also has worked for ABC affiliates in Tampa, Fl. and for Chicagoland Television.

The online news service is geared towards office workers with fast internet access and without TVs. The subscription to the programming is available through ABCNews.com. This is the start of more online news services to come. Cho’s duty will include live coverage as well as introducing news reports.

Art Gallery Sells Out Before Opening

Born in a small town of Naie in Hokkaido, Japan, Yumiko Kayukawa is the new “it” girl among Asian artists. Using inspirations from nature and American pop-culture, Yumi’s provocative twist on traditional Japanese artwork has gained great popularity. Her work is also known as candy-bright pop paintings and features a comic book style known as manga. The sensual tones of fantasy and natural world create a mysterious and elusive depiction of her subjects.

Yumi’s growing fame is evident in the fact that all her artwork sold out before the opening day of her Los Angeles show. Art lovers are currently on a waiting list for her unique pieces and Yumi’s success is spreading rapidly worldwide. Her work will exhibit through June 23 in Los Angeles at the Kantor gallery.

LA Film Fest

The ninth annual IFP Los Angeles Film Festival will begin its ten day showcasing of American and International independent cinema in June. The festival will screen over 200 narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos. Open to the general public, this event will feature a category with a spotlight on China. Other Asian films will also be among the ranks for an opportunity to win a $50,000 cash prize for Best Narrative Feature, and a $25,000 cash prize for Best Documentary.

UCLA Film and Television Archive will co-present two programs with IFP LA Film Fest. One of the programs will include a showcase of films chosen by the Festival’s guest director, Chen Kaige. www.lafilmfest.com

UCLA Film Fest 2003

Don’t miss the annual UCLA Film Festival, provided by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, which puts the spotlight on creative student productions. This week long extravaganza, starting on June 6, will showcase student works in animated and live-action film, television, digital media, screenwriting, producing and live theatrical performance.

A special presentation of Ham Tran’s thesis film “The Anniversary” will be scheduled as part of the Festival. The film has already won the Grand Prize at the USA Film Festival as well as the VC Film Festival. www.tft.ucla.edu

Sumo Wrestling invades UCLA

For all you sumo wrestling fans, the US Sumo Open is held quarterly at the John Wooden Center at UCLA. This is a fierce competition where sumo wrestlers from all over the world come head to head to fight in 200 lightening matches. This is the biggest international sumo event in the US where both female and male sumo wrestlers ranging from 100-700 lbs come together to fight the best of the best, including several World Sumo Champions.

Classic Korean Folktales

The Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, an Asian American theatre, is proud to present “When Tigers Smoked Long Pipes. . .” Discover different worlds in this play through its interpretations of five classical folktales from Korea. Take an enchanting journey into the heavens and earth with this “once upon a time” fairy tale. The play will be ongoing through July at The Victory Theatre in Burbank, California.
www.lodestonetheatre.org

June 4, 2003