ACIEPA Can Dream High: Developing Asian-Peruvian Relations

I got together with — from left to right — Wendy Pozo, Leslie Ulloa, Berenice Ventura, Sharon Enciso, Janell Alvarado, and Ashley Requena to talk about various topics like the distribution of Asian content in the country, subtitles and dubbing of their favorite shows, the spread of Asian entertainment in their friend circles and families, Hollywood remakes of Asian content, growing up with Anime, idol recognition, themes in Asian dramas or movies, among other topics that veered all the way into Lady Gaga territory and Justin Bieber on CSI.

These girls showed my true Banana colors.

Dream High, new episodes, subtitles and dubbing

Dream High was put together really well. It had all these elements — JYP and Bae Yong Jun from Winter Sonata among other things — that made it the early success that it was, and the story and heart of it is what is making it the success that it is now.

Some of our members watched the RAW (non-subtitled) versions of the Korean or Japanese shows, then with English subtitles, and finally with Spanish subtitles. The subtitles for Dream High were extremely timely, they took only about two or three days to hit the net after broadcast.

Sometimes it’s unsettling to listen to the dub of a kdrama and then realize it’s the same acting voice who did Goku in the Latin American version of Dragon Ball. We’ve all grown watching Anime with the local broadcast, so it’s definitely weird.

Personally, we would prefer that Panamericana would show the subtitled shows, we’re not very big fans of dubbing. Even though we don’t speak the language, the inflection in their voices and the little details added to the characters is what should matter. But it’s understandable to have it accessible to the general public that wouldn’t necessarily read subtitles. But you should get them accustomed to it.

Some of our parents don’t even like to read subtitles, but they just laugh out loud at things like Family Outing, without ever understanding what is going on — but variety shows are another thing.

Amy: How about broadcasting Jdramas in Peru?

It’d be amazing if Panamericana would broadcast Jdramas because their programming has quite a bit of Kdramas already. It would be an amazing goal to get this with the support of all the fandom, but it’d be a hard work of years.

Dream High 2, Kang Sora and variety shows

Ashley: I really loved Dream High, I wouldn’t be exaggerating by telling you I’ve seen the show at least five times, but still you’re left wanting more. I even got to watch it with my mother to the point when she began recognizing the stars of the show by their names.

The show has definitely set a high standard for Dream High 2 [1], hoping they fill the high expectations everyone has for the new series.

Kang Sora on Sunny.

We heard about Kang Sora when we heard she was going to be in We Got Married with Leeteuk (Super Junior), we are big Super Junior fans.

Ashley: Leeteuk is actually my favorite from Super Junior, and having him in We Got Married with Kang Sora was kind of a bit unsettling, even though I can’t deny Kang Sora has her own qualities. I hope she fills the shoes needed to be the lead actress in the show.

Variety shows are a league on their own — there’s so many of them, and many of them outrageously funny. Not only in Korea, China and Taiwan. There’s also the Japanese ones like the ones by Arashi, or SMAP. SMAP’s variety show is just too much, especially when they do the final number with their musical guest, like Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry or Lady Gaga.

amy

YAM Magazine editor, photographer, blogger, translator and part-time web designer. Film junkie, music junkie… and lately series (a.k.a. TV) junkie.

5 Responses

  1. Camiele says:

    I don’t know why, but I felt myself getting really excited reading this article. Just the energy, positivity, and enthusiasm that the Latin American fans show is incredible. I think the most beautiful aspect of it is the idea that we’re all a community, we all love the music, we should support the artists and each other as much as we can.

    It’s a beautiful thing, something that I don’t think I see very often here in the States. These girls also seem like a lot of fun. I don’t know, I’m just excited for Peru and all of Latin America because of this opportunity to come closer to another culture. It’s commendable, really, that Peru is so interested in embracing different cultures. Again, not something that I see very much of in the States — especially lately. It’s a beautiful thing!

    • amy says:

      @Camiele, Peru is known for its mixed of cultures… you maybe can’t see it in the (pop rock) music they make which is largely influenced by American music lately, but Peruvian music has different influences like African rhythms and, of course, Andean with Spanish influences. You can see it in their food too.

      For example, to me – it’s never been an issue to not understand a song. I grew up with music in English that I didn’t speak, so not understanding Mandarin, Japanese or Korean is a non-issue for me.

      I guess it’s a lot like that for a lot of people, especially the ones that got into Anime and Jpop early on in the 90s. I’m bringing this up because of that Kids React to KPop hahaha I hated when the girl had a WTF face saying “WHAT ARE THEY SAYINGGGG”.

      I’m working with Green Tea Graffiti on a series of posts about being a Banana. xD You should look forward to it. Ha!

      • Camiele says:

        @amy, HaHa. The very last thing you said sounded like you were writing this after taking drugs…is all I’m saying…HaHa. What exactly do you mean, “about being a Banana”?! O.o

  2. ghost says:

    You should ask them now if they’re watching Dream High 2, and what they thing of Kang Sora.

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