14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2009 • TIMES BY Andrew C.C. Huang MUSIC

stop JS is moving on

MTV’s New Voice Competition with a knack for penning hits. Banquet (ROSSO-蘇菲亞的盛宴), in 1999. They signed with Sony His oeuvre includes The Moment the punk-driven Nero~SCREAM, Music and released their first (sung by Sun Yunzi, 孫燕姿), I Am and the folksy Bianco — I compiled BY David Chen album Say Forever under the Fine (我很好) (sung by Rene Liu, Know You Love Me (Bianco name GoGo&MeMe (哥哥妹妹). 劉若英) and Staying Put With — 我知道你愛我). kiss wasn’t just a kiss It wasn’t all smooth sailing Love (鎮守愛情) (sung by Power In May they made the for Chinese fans of Alan after that promising start. A Station, 動力火車). foray into electronica with Luo (羅志祥), aka Little Pig Little Pig’s wave of industry restructuring Justin and Sophia eventually the EP Somewhere. A(小豬), who has been in Hangzhou fans don’t like following the advent of the signed with Avex and changed “With electronica, you filming the CTS drama series Hi to see their idol MP3 and Internet-based music their band’s name to JS, under treat the vocals as one music My Sweetheart (海派甜心). smooching. distribution put their recording which they have released three instrument,” says Justin. “You Admirers watching the  Photo: Taipei Times careers on hold. albums over the past decade: break down the music and shoot got into a tizzy during “We were shooting the music Meeting the Future (遇見未來) reconstruct it.” one scene in which been at it again. video for our second album in in 2004, The Most Beautiful To support the EP, the group co-star Rainie Yang (楊 Last Friday, the Japan and we got a phone call Landscape in This Life (此生 performed as the opening act 丞琳) forces Luo into a Malaysian Mando- halfway through [telling us] that 最美的風景) in 2008, and Justin’s at this year’s White Party in passionate kiss. Some pop star was everyone on the team had been songwriting retrospective The JS and Taipei. of the 40 fans “wailed” reportedly banned fired,” says Justin in a phone Moment (THE JS MOMENT JS 的 “We were afraid of losing and started to cry as they from the posh interview on Thursday last week. 創作故事集) in early 2009. old fans who like our folk-rock watched Yang plant her lips Traders Hotel in In the restructured Sony, Recently they’ve broadened sound, but we have to move on,” upon Luo’s. The reaction Kuala Lumpur GoGo&MeMe became an their musical palate, releasing says Justin. “We see ourselves as startled Yang, who tried to for smashing orphaned act with no album three daring concept EPs: the a group that’s exploring different assure the distressed fans by a television Photo courtesy of JS release date. folk-rock ROSSO — Sophia’s styles in its second decade.” telling them, “We’re just like in a fit of rage During that period, Justin siblings, please during his stay turned his attention to writing don’t misunderstand.” there. is the rare Taiwanese name Chen Chi-hsuan (陳綺 songs for other music acts. PERFORMANCE NOTES: But it took Little Pig to bring But at least Kuala Lumpur music act that can 萱) — whose crystalline vocals “I completely loathed the 好朋友的歌 about quiet on the set. “Be good,” didn’t get it as bad as Hong Kong, succeed in both the waft across her brother’s folksy so-called balage (芭樂歌) [catchy WHAT: JS Songs for Good Friends ( ) he said. “Your husband [honey] (老 where Tsao got blind drunk and JSworlds of commercial pop sonic landscape. On Thursday ballad] back in college,” explains WHEN: Thursday at 8:30 pm 公) is filming right now. You can’t beat the daylights out of his friend, and edgy indie rock without night they will be performing Justin. “It wasn’t until I started WHERE: Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館), 177 get upset with Rainie over this.” Canto-pop singer Justin Lo (側田), compromising its integrity. a themed concert titled Songs working in the industry that I Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號) That soothed his admirers, during a night out on the town. The group is comprised of for Good Friends (好朋友的歌), a learned to understand it. It’s ADMISSION: Tickets are NT$400, which includes one drink, who obediently fell silent, but not The bad publicity forced Tsao Justin — real name Chen Chung- retrospective of their signature the art of discovering freshness available at the door or by calling (02) 2370-8805 Yang. She was visibly “frightened” to cancel a string of upcoming yi (陳忠義) — who writes the songs from the past decade. within familiar terrain.” ON THE NET: www.wretch.cc/blog/justin0206; and made sure to apologize to the concerts and Hong Kong police songs and plays the instruments, The brother-sister duo got Justin has since developed into www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse fans before later kissing scenes, are investigating the incident. and younger sister Sophia — real its start by winning top prize in a highly sought-after songwriter according to the Taipei Times’ As for the smashed TV, Tsao’s sister paper, the Liberty Times. manager has denied the story, Rumors have resurfaced of while an exasperated Tsao BY Noah Buchan a romance between actress and remarked that even in Malaysia, high society belle Terri Kwan (關 “people were out to get me.” DRAMA 穎) and pop star heartthrob Jerry In other news, the Chairman Yan (言承旭), as the two were has died — once again, in a rumor. reported to have spent a romantic A tipster pointed the Liberty Prisoners of their own devices getaway in Koh Samui last week. Times to a Facebook group page Mobbed by reporters at with a discussion thread title Taoyuan International Airport that read: “Indonesian media aiwanese actors Fa (his stage name) admitted as much after the rehearsal — is last weekend, Yan only smiled reports that Jay Chou (周杰倫) has and Shih Ming-shuai (施名帥) were pacing. In a work that relies on delicate when asked if he and Kwan had died in a foreign country from a recently jailed for 42 days for wanting pauses and emotional tension, the actors “secretly met” in Thailand. Yan drug overdose.” Tto perform in a play. Well, kind of. rushed through it as if it were a prison and Kwan’s managers also dodged While it is true that Chou is in Their prison was in fact EX-Theater sentence that they couldn’t wait to finish. similar questions. a foreign country, says his record Asia’s (EX-亞洲劇團) rehearsal space and Linked to this is the problem of Speculation has see-sawed label JVR, he’s alive and well in they voluntarily confined themselves controlling their passion. All too often, about a Yan-Kwan relationship the US filming The Green Hornet, there to prepare for the psychologically the emotional register of the actors ever since the two met at the in which he plays the role of Kato. demanding roles of their characters in resembled the exaggerated melodrama beginning of the year as co-stars The hoaxers were only slightly The Island (島), which opens tonight as of a B-grade Taiwanese television soap of the TV drama series Starlit (心 more imaginative this time. The part of The 14th Crown Arts Festival (第 opera. It’s as if they hadn’t internalized 星的淚光). A Liberty Times report first time Chou supposedly died 14屆皇冠藝術節) at Crown Theater (皇冠藝 the predicament of their characters. speculated that Koh Samui was was in 2004, when a Chinese Web 術中心小劇場). Of course, I only saw one rehearsal. a “reconciliation” trip after a site claimed that the pop star had “They were just released last Friday,” But it seems that the 42 days the actors supposed break-up in June that been run over by a truck. joked EX-Theater Asia’s administrative spent behind bars wasn’t enough to culminated in a heated quarrel in And it’s official — A-mei (阿 director Lin Pei Ann (林浿安) after a liberate the feelings of confinement that Yan’s car. 妹) is dating. At least according rehearsal on Sunday night. the play requires. This wouldn’t be Kwan’s first to the Apple Daily, which Adapted from South African writer hot-and-cold relationship. She finally caught the pop diva and Athol Fugard’s 1972 play of the same dated male model Jerry Huang her boyfriend of three years, name, The Island follows the lives Festival notes: (黃志瑋) for more than four years basketball star Sam Ho (何 of two men serving life sentences on before their romance fizzled in 守正) on their first “public” South Africa’s notorious Robben Island What: 14th Crown Arts Festival the midst of ongoing reports that date. One of the paper’s crack — a symbol of apartheid South Africa (第14屆皇冠藝術節) — The Island (島) her wealthy parents were urging photographers managed to sneak (Nelson Mandela spent much of his 27 They didn’t do enough time. Photo: Noah Buchan, Taipei Times When: Today and tomorrow at her to find a partner with a more his lens into the couple’s private years behind bars on the island) — for 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday respectable pedigree. dining room at a Japanese bar political crimes. at 2:30pm As for Yan, who knows? The and grill in Taipei’s East District. Obvious parallels could be drawn Instead, he wants them to focus on the illustrate the harsh labor conditions Where: Crown Theater (皇冠藝文 Liberty Times noted that he made Ho spotted the camera, and between Robben Island and ’s play’s physicality. prisoners were forced to endure 中心小劇場), 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N a recent television appearance perhaps his basketball skills came Green Island, where thousands of “The text contains hidden emotion — avoiding the political overtones does a Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路120巷 where he spoke at length about “a in handy, as he promptly used his political prisoners were isolated, tortured that cannot be revealed by the text disservice to the work. 50號) love letter never sent” to another body to completely block A-mei and in some cases killed during the itself ... which is only brought out when It also didn’t seem to help the actors Admission: NT$450 tickets, rumored flame, supermodel Lin from the view of the lens. The White Terror. Director Chongtham communicated with the body,” he said. understand the complex emotions available through NTCH ticketing Chih-ling (林志玲). Apple Daily report noted how Jayanta Meetei, however, said he does Although it is natural to focus on the facing prisoners serving a life sentence. It looks like hot-headed sweet and considerate Ho was for not want viewers to draw historical play’s somatic aspects — the original Consequently, two important areas of crooner Gary Tsao (曹格) has “protecting his flower.” parallels between the work and Taiwan. contains many miming scenes that the play suffer. The first — and Meetei

BY Ian Bartholomew BY Catherine Shu RESTAURANTS TIDBITS Best 01 Tea Garden (壹等賞景觀茶園) he inspiration behind Rainbow of avocado, wilting lettuce leaves, roll was supposed to be served BY STAFf writer with CNA Roll (紅彩壽司) follows a mushy sashimi or congealed sushi hot, but came lukewarm. A layer Address: 58, Alley 93, Ln 170, Jhongyuan Rd Sec 2, Longtan Township, Taoyuan County (桃園縣龍潭鄉中原路二段170巷93弄58號) boomerang trajectory. The rice. We began with the deep- of fried tempura batter, which in Tchain was founded eight years ago fried Hiroshima oysters (NT$290), turn was wrapped in seaweed, branch of L’Atelier de Telephone: (03) 411-6788 Open: 10am to 10pm (closed Tuesdays) Average meal: NT$500 per person Joel Robuchon, a three- Details: Chinese menu, credit cards not accepted in Tokyo, but its menu features which came as part of a set meal surrounded the tuna; both layers “American-style” sushi-like with rice, salad and pickles. Each were moist and chewy instead star Michelin restaurant Achain, opened on Nov. 5 at the avocado-and-crab meat stuffed of the plump oysters was lightly of crisp. Fortunately, the intense est 01 Tea Garden (壹等賞景觀 through in a thoroughly efficient California rolls and, of course, breaded and fried, and served flavor of our last roll, made with Bellavita shopping center in 茶園) is a little oasis of well- manner and there were no tables rainbow rolls (the restaurant’s on top of a pile of shredded yam scallop, avocado and spicy- Taipei City’s Xinyi District. ordered rural elegance amid going spare in the house. version is made with a colorful crisps. The shellfish was mild and mayonnaise sauce (NT$280), Lunch and dinner courses Bthe hodgepodge of industrial and The reason for the crowds assortment of vegetables). sweet and the crunchy coating made up for its blander cousins. range between NT$480 and agricultural land off the Longtan was made obvious when the food Taipei’s branch of Rainbow Roll was rich without being oily. Each piece was carefully topped NT$2,000. A set meal comprising Interchange (龍潭交流道) of the was brought to the table, minutes is located in the three-month- After we finished the oysters, with a slice of sauteed garlic and eight courses carries a price tag Formosa Freeway (爾摩沙高速 after we had ordered. It was old Sogo Tianmu; the sleek and Rainbow Roll’s efficient wait staff a dot of very spicy mayonnaise, of nearly NT$6,000. 公路) in Taoyuan County. It is simply presented, but with an elegantly decorated space is on brought our sushi rolls in quick which brought out the sweetness Head chef Joel Robuchon easy to miss, but once there, it is eye for its aesthetic appeal, and the department store’s eighth- succession. The California roll of the scallops and avocado. operates restaurants in Hong also easy to forget all about the most importantly, very tasty. floor food court. (NT$220) came first, stuffed with In addition to its signature Kong, Las Vegas, London, surrounding landscape. As the staple, its healthy tea Diners who were first imitation crabmeat, julienned rolls, Rainbow Roll also serves Macau, Monaco, New York A sprawling wood, glass and oil rice (養生茶油拌飯, NT$20 a introduced to American-style sushi cucumber, avocado, lettuce and sashimi and appetizers, including City, Paris and Tokyo, and red-brick bungalow, the main bowl), served in a tub made of in the US might find Rainbow sprinkled with crunchy red tobiko amberjack carpaccio with has collected a world record- restaurant building is low key, cypress wood, was delightfully Roll’s versions surprisingly light roe. The imitation crabmeat tomato salsa (NT$280) and citrus breaking 24 Michelin stars. and the attention of arriving subtle and cooked to perfection (and perhaps a bit bland). The managed not to be cloyingly marinated salmon with yuzu L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon guests is quickly focused on the (well prepared rice is much more spicy tuna filling in some rolls sweet and the cucumber added pepper dressing (NT$260). The is located at 5F,������������������ 90 Songren Rd, well-kept lawn, the sparklingly of a rarity than one might think), doesn’t sear the nostrils and the some welcome texture against restaurant has an abbreviated Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號5樓). clean carp pond, the lush stands and could easily have been California roll is crafted with the soft, rich avocado. drinks menu — just a few Tel: (02) 8729-2628. of tropical plants and the neat enjoyed all on its lonesome, if it Tasty in Taoyuan. only a smidgen of mayonnaise, Our next two rolls, the spicy domestic and Japanese beers are Giovanni Grasso, an Italian chef who currently holds one rows of tea trees just beyond. weren’t for all the other enticing  Photo: Ian Bartholomew, Taipei Times as opposed to a giant dollop. tuna (NT$180) and tuna tempura available, along with a short list of On foodie blogs, Best 01 Tea dishes on the menu. But even though Rainbow roll with spicy miso sauce sake brands. Michelin star, is creating a Garden has a reputation of being Particularly exciting was beauty fish 東方美人魚( , NT$500), Roll’s American-style sushi (NT$220), paled in comparison to seven-course white truffle feast an attractive scenic destination, the tea smoked goose (茶鵝, a steamed cod, was a little isn’t particularly American, the the rest of our meal. The minced priced at NT$8,000 per person and its gardens provide ample NT$300), which had just the right coarse, but the flavors where carefully balanced ingredients in tuna was not particularly spicy at Marco Polo Restaurant at the opportunities for shutterbugs. It amount of fat under the skin nevertheless quite good. each meticulously crafted roll are and seemed lost amidst sushi Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei also has a reputation for serving to make it succulent without The food arrived quickly and as pleasing to the palette as they rice, sesame, cucumber and today and tomorrow. top-notch Taiwanese food. It did being greasy. The fried golden with little fuss, and the table are to the eye. carrot. The tuna tempura roll The menu features white not disappoint, though with two tofu (陶板黃金豆腐), as homely a was cleared regularly. Service The freshness of the was very pretty (sliced okra in truffle from Alba and four sittings for lunch, the first starting dish as one could imagine, also was a tad impersonal but ran ingredients recommends itself. the middle of each piece looked Gianni Gagliardo premium at 11:30am with seats cleared at had a splendid balance of crisp like a well-oiled machine, with Even on a slow Monday evening, like little blossoms), but was just vintage pairings. 1pm for the second, it is not a vegetables and tender tofu held nothing to distract you from there were no browning chunks as lackluster. The tuna tempura Courses include soft-cooked place that encourages diners to together by a golden skin. Short the enjoyment of the food and egg with cheese, almonds and white truffle and potato soup dawdle over their food. There is ribs in osmanthus honey (桂花 the surroundings. The spacious Rainbow Roll’s menu comes from Japan via way of the US outdoor seating though, which is 蜜排骨, NT$280) was another garden area makes it ideal for big with pan-fried sweetbreads, via way of Japan. Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times used as a waiting area for diners, beautifully judged offering of an family gatherings with children, Rainbow Roll (紅彩壽司) veal juice jelly, hazelnut oil and and also as a place to relax after old and much-abused regular, who can be kept amused feeding white truffle. 台北市中山北路六段 號 樓 a meal. Visiting on a Saturday lightly battered and with a good the carp (fish feed is available Address: Sogo Tianmu, 8F, 77, Zhongxiao N Rd Sec 6, Taipei City ( 77 8 ) Telephone: (02) 2833-2555 To make a reservation, call that threatened rain, Best 01 Tea balance between the honey and from a dispensing machine) and Open: 11am to 9:30pm Average meal: Most rolls range from NT$180 to NT$280; a 10 percent service charge is added (02) 2376-3156. Garden was moving customers vinegar. The flesh of the eastern running about on the grass. Details: Chinese, English and Japanese menu; credit cards accepted