14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2010 • TAIPEI TIMES BY Andrew C.C. Huang MUSIC stop South Korean superstar rains supreme

compiled BY Ian Bartholomew ubbed the Usher or Entertainment (his former Justin Timberlake of agent) because he did not have rivate information leaked TV idol Peter Ho (何潤東), Chinese Asia because of his double eyelids, a traditional onto the Internet has provided interests have approached Hsu charismatic presence standard of beauty in Asia, ample material for Taiwan’s and her leading man as product and hip-hop-driven he refused to resort to plastic Pgossip rags, but the most recent spokespersons for a range of music, South Korean surgery as many South Korean scandal surrounding the posting wedding apparel. According to superstar Rain entertainers have done, and of transsexual TV host Li Ching’s Next Magazine, the deal is worth (Jeong Ji-hoon) is a force to through sheer will and talent (利菁) medical history on a public NT$10 million each. be reckoned with. As an all- hit the big time, redefining Web site has hit all kinds of Hsu has also hit the headlines D round entertainer, excelling in audiences’ aesthetic tastes in nerves in the entertainment and for a series of new pro-vegetarian singing, dancing and acting, he the process. media industries. ads for People for the Ethical sets a new high for superstars MBLAQ, the boy group The entertainer, whose real Treatment of Animals (PETA) in Asia. launched by Rain’s own name is Regine Wu Ming-enn Asia. One poster features Hsu The pop icon performs in management company J. Tune (吳明恩), has repeatedly claimed to striking an assertive pose in Kaohsiung tomorrow as part Entertainment, will appear as have been a hermaphrodite who unbuttoned cut-off shorts and a of his farewell tour before guests. opted to become a woman. She rack-enhancing tank top with the he undertakes South Korea’s has long insisted that while she words “Powered by Tofu” against compulsory two-year military PERFORMANCE did not plan on having children, a slogan “I Am Barbie Hsu, and service. His last concert here she was physically capable of I Am a Vegetarian.” A second was in 2007, part of his Rain’s A superstar in Asia since notes: becoming pregnant. A medical poster has her in cute mode and Coming tour. 2004, Rain’s profile skyrocketed WHAT: Legend of Rainism 暴雨傳奇高 report from the doctor who is said cuddling up to a little piglet, Having trained as a dancer internationally last year when in Taiwan (Rain to have performed the surgery with the words “Compassion is in his youth, the 185cm- he starred in the American 雄演唱會) claims that Wu was a man who beautiful. Go vegetarian.” tall entertainer is known action film Ninja Assassin, WHEN: Tomorrow at had a sex-change operation. “Animals are like my brothers for his flawless moves and produced by the Wachowski 7:30pm Wu has consistently stated that and sisters, my friends and my explosive stage presence. brothers. The film was tailor- WHERE: Main World she is a woman, and has rebuffed family,” the TV personality said in Combining hip-hop, R ’n’ B and made for Rain after the director- Games Stadium, Kaohsi- all suggestions that she is in fact a a PETA statement. Hsu was voted electronica, Rain is equally at duo was mesmerized by his ung City (高雄世運主場館), transsexual. The controversy sur- Asia’s Sexiest Vegetarian woman home performing up-tempo supporting-role performance located at the junction of rounding her claims has even led in PETA’s 2009 poll, so whether or dance numbers and crooning in 2008’s Speed Racer, also Jhunghai (中海) and Junsiao local transsexual artist Hsue-er (雪 not her endorsement is going to romantic ballads. directed by the Wachowskis. roads (軍校) 兒) and South Korean transsexual turn the otaku hordes of Taiwan As an entertainer with a In April 2006, Rain was ADMISSION: Tickets are star Harisu (河莉秀) to attack her for into passionate chickpea-munch- rigorously trained physique, listed by Time as one of the NT$380 to NT$6,000, avail- not supporting her own. The new ing animal lovers, is certainly Rain makes ripping his shirt “100 most influential people able through ERA ticketing who shape our world,” and in revelations refute Wu’s own story something to watch. The unbut- off and flaunting his well- outlets or online at www. 2007 was included on People’s of starting life as a hermaphrodite, toned shorts are clearly the key. defined muscles an art form. ticket.com.tw but she has vehemently denied On a lighter note, the Liberty “most beautiful people” list. The heartthrob is known for ON THE NET: www.rain- any acquaintance with the doctor Times reported that the cute Rain’s ascent to stardom splashing water onto his toned jihoon.com/main.html Chang Chi-Chung (張啟中), whose little piglet shat on Hsu’s whiter- body on stage and spattering wasn’t always plain sailing. article detailing Wu’s sex-change than-white boob-tube during the water onto nearby fans. Rejected several times by JYP Photos: Taipei Times procedure was posted online. shoot. With her usual candor, Hsu The Liberty Times (the Taipei immediately announced to the Times’ sister paper) reported assemble crew, “This ain’t my shit.” Wednesday that the Department of (這不是我拉的屎！) The piglet, which BY David Chen Health (衛生署) would investigate had initially been called Bacon, MUSIC Chang’s behavior, which may be was subsequently re-christened Da considered illegal. Chang insists Da (大大), baby talk for poo. that he published the details in a Janet Hsieh (謝怡芬), host of specialist journal for the benefit Fun Taiwan (瘋台灣) is marking Linkin Park’s frontman sees the sunrise of medical professionals, and has her arrival as a serious force in no idea how the material was Taiwan’s entertainment industry disseminated on the Internet. with the publication of a volume t’s not Linkin Park, but fans will hear is more straightforward and laced with The leak and the subsequent of autobiography titled Traveling a familiar voice when the group’s lead PERFORMANCE notes: catchy pop hooks. In an interview with media frenzy over details of Wu’s With 100 Toothbrushes (帶一百支牙 singer, Chester Bennington, appears the Taipei Times last year, Bennington sex change (which, let’s face it, 刷去旅行). The big revelation is that Iin Taipei tomorrow night with his side What: Dead By Sunrise cited grunge, punk and 1980s electronic is just a minor twist on what is — yawn — she still gives her heart project, Dead By Sunrise, at Huashan When: Tomorrow night at 8pm pop from the “New Romantic movement” pretty much old news) follows in to her first boyfriend from her MIT 1914 Creative Park (華山1914). Where: Huashan 1914 Creative Park as his major influences, which can be the wake of revelations earlier in days, and that she fails to gush Bennington takes a self-professed (華山1914), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei heard in Out of Ashes. The album shifts the week that model and aspiring sycophantically over her agent, confessional tone in Out of Ashes, Dead City (台北市八德路一段1號) between songs like the guitar-drenched actress Alicia Liu (劉薰愛) was also former lover and the guy who By Sunrise’s debut album, which was On the Net: Fire and the keyboard synthesizer-driven a man. The revelation was made pretty much made her the celebrity released in autumn last year. Both the myspace.com/deadbysunrise Too Late. by a high school classmate. Liu she is today album title and the band’s name refer Admission: NT$1,000 to NT$3,000, Though Bennington’s lyrics for held a press conference on — Tim Li (李景 to the singer’s past personal problems, available at the door or at Rose Dead By Sunrise draw from direct Jan. 15 to reveal that she had 白). As much which revolved around his divorce with Records outlets (玫瑰大眾唱片), which personal experience, they cater to a pop undergone a sex change as Pop Stop his first wife and addiction to alcohol Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park, are listed online at universality and sense of melodrama at 18, stating that she was disapproves and drugs. performs in Taipei tomorrow with his band Dead By www.g-music.iticket.com.tw that resonates with Linkin Park’s music. happy with the way she of her efforts In a press release from his label In Let Down, a song about his divorce, Sunrise. Photo courtesy of Warner Music was now. Liu has won to rival Big S Warner Music, Bennington said the he sings in the chorus: “I don’t want to overwhelming support and others in album “came out of wondering, literally, be let down / I don’t want to live my life from colleagues in the foxy appeal, whether I was going to make it to of stadiums around the world. angst-ridden voice, which takes center again / Don’t want to be lead down the entertainment industry. we still say: tomorrow.” In addition to feeding the sex-drugs- stage in this first ever solo venture. Dead same old road.” Big S (大S), otherwise More power Spoken in true rock ’n’ roll fashion, and-rock-and-roll mystique, Bennington By Sunrise sees the vocalist getting more When Bennington was here last known as Barbie Hsu (徐熙 to her. but Bennington appears to have emerged has settled into another archetypal mold, melodic and pop-oriented thanks in part summer, he was singing with Linkin Park 媛), has taken a step on a new from his troubles on top. He continues to the modern rock star as entrepreneur. He to his five-piece backing band, composed to a stadium crowd of 40,000 people. career path. Despite negative Big S is Asia’s enjoy enormous success with Linkin Park, co-owns a tattoo parlor in Las Vegas and of friends from several Los Angeles-based Tomorrow’s show will be a much more reviews for her television soap “sexiest whose blend of hip-hop, alternative rock runs a clothing line called Ve’ Cel. synthrock groups. intimate affair. The concert takes place Summer of Bubbles (泡 vegetarian.” and metal has earned the group several But die-hard fans at tomorrow’s show In contrast to Linkin Park’s nu-metal in a former warehouse at Huashan 1914 沫之夏), in which she Photo: Taipei Times Grammy awards and led to headline tours will likely be focused on Bennington’s sound, Dead By Sunrise’s brand of rock Creative Park, which seats around 2,000. stars together with RESTAURANTS BY Noah Buchan BY David Chen ust off that old Hawaiian shirt: credited for popularizing crab cranberries,” NT$260), Kamaikaze TIDBITS Tiki carvings and the “original” Rangoon, deep-fried wonton (“a bit suicidal but delicious,” BY Catherine Shu Alleycat’s Mai Tai are just some of dumplings filled with cream NT$290) and Suffering Bastard DTrader Vic’s kitschy charms. cheese and crabmeat (available (“a forthright blend of rums, lime Address: 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號) Telephone: (02) 2395-6006 This Polynesian-theme at the buffet and for NT$230 as and liqueurs with an affinity for re macarons the new Open: 11am to midnight; closes at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays restaurant might look like a an appetizer). cucumbers,” NT$360). cupcake? It seems that Average meal: NT$400 Details: Credit cards accepted; English and Chinese menu; Hawaiian tourist trap at first The Mai Tai is a must at The well-trained and way. Stores selling the airy, glance, but it quickly grows Trader Vic’s, which claims its competent wait staff, who don Adelicate sweets are proliferating 10 percent service charge On the Net: www.alleycatspizza.com on you. The food, a fusion of founder, Victor “The Trader” either floral print shirts or white in New York City, where shops pan-Asian cuisine and American Bergeron, invented this rum and chef’s coats, could offer lessons like Magnolia Bakery launched must confess that I broke a room above, which sports a steakhouse fare presented with citrus cocktail and introduced it to any fine dining establishment the cupcake craze. Macarons, vow made a few years back partial replica of Michelangelo’s Alleycat’s new location at Huashan unusually good service, is as to Hawaii in the 1950s. The drink, in town. I kept missing out on which are meringue shells never to step foot again into fresco The Creation of Adam, 1914 Park sets the bar, both in terms comforting as the teak paneled which enjoyed some exposure the prime rib, which was gone stuffed with ganache and other IAlleycat’s. My last experience in rounding out the Mediterranean of food and service, for upscale pizza fillings (and not to be confused walls and bamboo rattan furniture. in Blue Hawaii starring Elvis every time I went to the buffet the claustrophobic and crypt-like vibe that the restaurant does well joints in Taipei. noah Buchan, Taipei Times A way to sample Trader Vic’s Presley, will cultivate a tropical table. This prompted a waiter with the coconut-based atmosphere of its branch located to cultivate. extensive selection is the Sunday mood even if the grass hanging to bring over a serving later on macaroon), are also increasingly a stone’s throw from Yongkang As I was losing myself in crust with just the right amount of brunch buffet, which is well worth at the restaurant’s “boathouse — without my asking. And the easy to find in Taipei. Street (永康街) saw an angry chef the architectural largesse, the mozzarella cheese and marinara the price at NT$780 per person. bar” doesn’t. manager remembered the name The French confections are repeatedly berating a server over caprese salad (NT$180) arrived. sauce. The crust was expertly The spread includes beef prime A small serving (full size of one of my dining companions, notoriously difficult to make some indiscretion — one that Sliced tomatoes and fresh cooked to a golden brown on rib, rack of lamb, pork ribs and NT$290), topped with pineapple who visits several times a year. and command higher prices was perhaps deserved because mozzarella were alternately the edges and remained soft and salmon — all of which are slow- and a Maraschino cherry The dining room sports than most other pastries, the service was terrible (though stacked on a small plate, and it chewy toward the center. roasted in the restaurant’s “Chinese skewered on a plastic tiki man several huge tanks full of tropical but Sadaharu Aoki (Tel: (02) the food was excellent). was seasoned with lemon juice, The calzone (NT$350) was smoke oven,” an impressive large toothpick, comes with the buffet fish, and the huge “Chinese oven” 8729-2759) in the food court of Fast forward a few years olive oil and cracked pepper also a triumph. Served with a barrel-shaped kiln. (a non-alcoholic version is also is placed in a room with a large Xinyi District’s newly-opened and I happened past the chain’s and sprinkled with slivers of Caesar salad and marinara sauce Everything at the buffet available). window so diners can watch the Bellavita shopping mall may be recently opened location in fresh basil. on the side, the pastry’s innards was of high quality, from the Even if the South Pacific is kiln fires. the last word in decadence. Tiny Huashan 1914 Creative Park Like the Tower of Pisa it were a gooey mixture of spinach barbeque chicken and Thai out of reach, Trader Vic’s offers On the a la carte menu, US macarons (just two bites each) (華山1914), where large calzone- replicates in miniature form, and ricotta cheese infused with curry to the creamy tortellini libations worthy of a luau. A prime steaks range from NT$950 are NT$85 each. Eye-boggling shaped casement windows however, it was slightly awry. aromatic spices. and salads. The restaurant cut “rum keg” (NT$750) is a mix of to NT$1,190, while seafood main prices aside, the French- exuded soft light. Tempted by More to the point, the salad was And the service? No angry no corners on ingredients, using light and dark rums and tropical courses, which include salmon, Japanese patisserie’s macarons the ambiance and the deliciously not so much daubed but drenched chefs here, and my water glass fresh jumbo shrimp for a stir-fry fruit served in a wooden vessel sea bass and prawns, run from are wonderful, with perfectly pungent smell of baking, I broke in olive oil, effectively drowning was kept full even though the with cashew nuts and Haas for four people. Imported aged NT$790 to NT$890. crispy shells and a wide range my covenant. out the delicate flavors of the place was packed. avocado for a salad. Caribbean rums, which are not on of unusual flavors, including The expansive interior, with tomato, cheese and basil. Perhaps The restaurant also has a An American chain that began the drinks menu, are also served. peche cannelle (peach with a its vaulted ceilings and open- a little less oil and a sprinkling of large outside patio that is perfect as a tropical-themed restaurant The four-page illustrated hint of cinnamon) and yuzu spaced concept, consists of two balsamic vinegar would lighten up for slinging back a few ciders or near San Francisco in the 1930s, drinks menu makes for (grapefruit). rooms separated by a long bar. this heavy starter. glasses of Hoegaarden draught Trader Vic’s drew inspiration an entertaining read with The adorable Patisserie La The walls are painted mustard But everything fell into place (both NT$120 for a half pint or in part from the area’s Chinese concoctions like the Rangoon Douceur (Tel: (02) 3322-2833, yellow with patches of exposed with the vegetarian pizza (NT$330 NT$220 for a pint). cuisine. The restaurant is even Ruby (“vodka with a tang of fresh www.ladouceur.com.tw) near brick, and the windows are ideal for 10-inch; NT$360 for 12- Yongkang Street (永康街) is a for watching the hustle and inch). Alleycat’s takes its dough more affordable but worthy bustle of the open market (on seriously. Made from scratch, it is A tender prime rib is part alternative to Sadaharu Aoki. weekends) outside. assembled as ordered and cooked Trader Vic’s of Trader Vic’s excellent Brightly colored macarons are Behind the bar, patrons can in a stone oven. Sunday buffet. Address: 7F, 135, Minsheng E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市民生東路135號7樓) Telephone: (02) 2545-9999 sold by weight for NT$38 per watch cooks roll, dress and bake The mural of black olives, gram and come in a wide range Open: 11am to 11pm, the bar closes at 1am; Sunday brunch is from 11am to 2pm pizzas and calzones. Two arches green peppers, tomatoes, shiitake Photo by David Chen of unusual flavors, including Average meal: NT$800 to NT$1,000 per person; Sunday brunch is NT$780 per person, plus 10 percent to the right of the long bar act as mushrooms and artichoke hearts balsamic vinaigrette (very service charge Details: Credit cards accepted On the Net: www.tradervics.com/rest-taipei.html the gateway to the second dining was evenly arranged on a thin accurate) and rose and litchi.