Asian Music

So, lately I've really been into my Asian music again... mainly J-Pop (aka "boy bands").  Here a few of the artists I LOVE.  [Some are current, others I have been a fan of for a while].

Japanese
An Cafe
Arashi
Aya Ueto
EXILE
The GazettE
Hey! Say! Jump!
Kana Nishino
Nightmare 
Perfume
Phantasmagoria
Yamashita Tomohisa
Yui
Yuya Matsushita


Korean
Girls' Generation
SHINee
Super Junior-M
TRAX


Chinese / Taiwanese
Michael Wong Guang Liang
Rainie Yang


Clearly you can tell which language I listen to the most ^-^

Just a side-note: Phantasmagoria was the first foreign band I really got in to (clear back in fall of 2006!!).  I had never heard of "J-Rock" or "Visual Kei" before and their band image caught my eye in a magazine a friend brought home from China Town in California.  I made a mental note of the name (which was quite difficult, as you can imagine) and searched for some videos on YouTube.  Luckily this was before all the stupid copyright rules came into play (aka before Google bought them) and I was able to find several videos.  It was love at first sight and I have enjoyed Asian music ever since!!

Watching Asian Dramas also greatly helped me get a feel for the language and different artists.  Yamashita Tomohisa was a name that kept popping up in "verses battles" (where they take a vote from the viewers on who is better between two actors) and so I Googled him and found out he formed a band.  I searched for videos and discovered the amazing group entitled "NEWS" and it was love all over again... only Pop-style.  This was fall/summer of 2010.  I have been hooked ever since.  Sadly enough, the J-Rock/Visual Kei has fallen almost completely off my radar, replaced by "boy bands."  I don't really know what to say about that...

The Korean artists are the newest for me, having just discovered them THIS week.  It's good because it adds to the variety.  Right now, the list isn't very long, but I plan to get into more of it.  The problem is finding the artists.  I have a favorite site though, so that will help.  It lists all the Asian artists (both popular as well as individuals trying to establish a name).  It's a great site and I use it all the time, especially for translations!  Check them out!!  They have videos, lyrics, albums, info, etc!

If you have any bands/suggestions I would LOVE to hear about them!!  I'm all for checking out new artists (especially Pop)!!  And if they (or the record company) has a YouTube, all the better!!  Thank you!!