Xen

I don't know, whether we view his programs as "dubious" or not-in the end, we do support what he does on the ice, and what he represents as a skater. So that sentiment is in the end, what counts, regardless of where we stand on specific programs. =/

They might just announce the assignments and the actual location together on say 26th-29th. I do wonder if they'll consider Helsinki if neither Milan nor Sk work out, but there are some rumors in Chinese Baidu bars that it might end up in SK?

So um, if we have news about Adam, do we post here, or in the Remember us thread? also body issue is out with him

I dunno, I think Yuzu looks fairly normal for his off-season, think he always looks like this when he starts the off-season (cheeks and chin get rounder), but then when season starts, he gets a bit more angular all-over. Besides, hair styling affects how he appears, and if you look at him when his bangs are flying up, it doesn't look that different.

Do not do the Ed Sheeran voice, in case you jinx it and he does "shape of you" next season....

Man, if everyone else in that gala wears plain, monochromatic outfits? Should we call it the celestial maiden and his bodyguards show? XD

@Murieleirum: actually listening to vocals version of Haru Yo Koi, I think the vocal versions are *flatter* than the piano version. So I'm on team instrumental too if he does it. It does sound like Shinya added a couple of flourishes in his live version which doesn't exist in the original vocal version, which can highlight and change climax for the music. In fact, I wonder if they do a studio recording version, would they start adding flourishes and tempo changes? It would be interestting...like say something that builds a bit like Bolero, one that gradually builds up momentum through the song, softly at first, and then fortissimo for the end, with 1 build up at the hydroblade, and another at the Ina bauer and end spin? Now, what if in the middle they go even softer, and add a lyrical violin solo before going back to a strong piano part?

Yes, the irony that I'm totally okay with him wearing stuff I would never wear (because I find them too girly of all things). Ah, well if he goes with this, it's a loss for me cause I guessed something like beatles or other classical rock music. But I did participate in that thread as a joke, and the only one I'd really want of my list was a Tango SP. Because I want to see Yuzu slay minds (induce nosebleeds among judges) with a tango.

Same. Me, normally: I hate pink, why are you insisting on pink, do you want an entire discourse on why pink doesn't work? Me, where Yuzu is concerned: Pink is a lovely idea, the very definition of artistry, beautiful, celestial, heavenly. It also applies to ruffles, sparkles, glitter and anything shiny.

=( really? But the world is missing a celestial maiden then if he doesn't show it as his Ex...

I just want to see something different worked out for the sleeves...like kimono sleeves or something more light even for the entire top.

Well the whole song is long enough, but I think Haru Yo Koi would face the same issue that H&L faced- people will take a while to get it and give it PCs, and I think H&L had more highlights to it musically (at least the vocal version of Haru Yo Koi always felt a bit...flat to me). Personally it took me about 4-5 times of watching Haru Yo Koi to kind of get it and appreciate it more (and I'd still rank it lower than Seimei and H&L), and that's because I'm a fanyu (any other skater I probably won't bother). I'm not sure if judges are really going to put in *that much* effort to try to catch the artistic subtleties of it, as in-your-face-dramatic music will catch attention more. =(

You guys automatically fill in happy....I automatically add in "kuyashiii~" and "zettai kuyashiiiiiii~~~"

From other clips where he tries to sing, he just has issues reaching high notes, and the clip that sounded like it could be his voice, the voice sounded edited/blurred. So it's more likely he struggles with higher notes of the song. But saying that...there is a significant possibility that they had each team do the song recording separately, so maybe there's a clip that's not released yet of just the FS team singing and Yuzu gets the refrain section for himself? *or-Okay !LurkerZu, ya coward, Satton has a nicer singing voice than you, prove me wrong!

I actually thought it was him originally, because the pitch and tone of the singing was close enough to Yuzu's speaking voice. Unless he didn't like it because it didn't sound perfect enough, and just told them to edit it out. OOOOORRRR... There will be a broadcast later in August, after media day, when they announce they have footage of Yuzu singing the entire song solo that they will slowly release in 1 minute segments, intermittently through the year.

So what was that nasal-ish voice they used when he filmed? Don't tell me that was Shoma singing.

Wonder if it will end up in Milano. Recall reading a news update in Baidu, and verified later, that there was a statement that Korea and japan were chosen to replace the ISU GP events in China, and while Japan agreed immediately, Korea had cited needing time to go through its bureaucratic processes for approvals. And that should S. Korea say they won't host 1 or both of the ISU events given to them (1 FS event, 1 speed event), ISU may consider moving the event out of Asia. And the end of the article said that the ISU was welcoming bids from other feds. o_O I imagine SKorea would take at least the speed skating event...

Adam already sang diamonds, so Yuzu will have to find another song about shinies to sing. Question, are there any songs about a love for gold? Or do you think he'll sing an ode to Pooh instead?

Alright, one step closer to his singing debut, and his future as a music star.

So uh, according to his weibo, Han Yan is not retiring? He's just taking a season off or so to heal up, and then continue competing, hopefully with aim for Beijing. His coaches are now also Pang/Tong. https://weibo.com/1991083414/Gmeb6pbut?from=page_1003061991083414_profile&wvr=6&mod=weibotime&type=comment

The first competition I watched on TV after Sochi was CoC, right at the start of the men's LP...not sure how I managed to continue watching after warm-up. So safe to say, it takes a lot to scare me nowadays.

The latest stuff coming out of China's baidu FS bar, is that of the events: （Sina article) -Shanghai Trophy: cancelled -1 speed skating event--> transferred to Japan - COC slot--> transferred to Korea - 1 short track event --> Korea -JGP event--> Vancouver Currently Japan is confirmed, so is Vancouver, though for the event in Japan the specific location is TBA, just that it will be taken by JSF. For Korea, ISU is still waiting for confirmation due to the internal processes in Korea, and may be confirmed within the next 2-3 weeks. ISU prefers the events to be held in Asia, but in the off chance that Korea is unable to take 1 or both events, the event could be moved outside of Asia.

Pomelo (Yuzu) and honey tea....it's actually not that expensive from the local supermarkets here. I'll make sure to grab a lot for us, can't watch Yuzu without having something "yuzu" nearby.

Yes, essentially "expectations were not met" so...take a guess at whose expectations weren't met. Others in the baidu bars say that recent years, CoC has either broke even or made profit from the event, so certainly not ISU or even monetary expectations of Chinese Fed. Edit: Finally, it's up on Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/sports/2018-06/13/c_1122980636.htm English version from Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/13/c_137251769.htm Translating-I think there is some face saving going on, but whose face is being saved is a good question.

No no, this is the official statement, which pretty much says nothing. In the article, they really did go with the entire "18/19 season is a season for basics, rennovating the rinks, sending people overseas, strengthen our bases, etc etc" That is the reason given to the news agencies so far. No one in the baidu bars believe it. The reason why I highlighted the part I translated, is that is the closest to saying the true reasons. I don't know if OC is involved, but there are some speculations that this is a larger move for 2022 and China is putting things in place for the long term-hence China is sending people overseas for training etc, so it minimizes its loss, while ensuring ISU gets maximum (money) loss.