Ikemen Paradise

The literal translation for the above is "Paradise of Handsome Men". Wipe that stupid grin off your face. This is actually the title of a drama series going on in Japan on Fuji TV every Tuesday 9pm. The series basically revolves around this girl who disguises herself as a boy to get into a boys school that only handsome men can enter in order to help one of the guys inside to be able to high jump again. She soon falls in love with him (Duh!) but at the same time, her/his best friend in the school also falls for her (all the while still thinking she is a he). Yup so the homo love triangle begins.

Yes, unfortunately during my visit there I was exposed to this series by my host sisters and even though the storyline and acting is stupid and exaggerated, I have come to find this series humorous (even mummy thinks so and she doesn't understand Japanese). That said, it has made me a little skeptical about how appearance can be culturally acceptable. In other words, what makes an ikemen?

Can you spot the girl? Do you consider them cool?

Now look at the main character...VS

The girl behind the man. Big difference?

Even these "handsome and cool" guys take on girly roles too...

The obvious gay character

The best friend idolized by many girls but who thinks he is gay

Kawaii??

Now look at the Japanese culture for what constitutes a handsome/cool guy. Singers like Gackt and Glay are icons in Japan and a hit with girls. Even though some would think they look sissy or even question their sexuality, maybe in this society, we are way too conservative about how guys/girls should dress or act and we should learn more from the Japanese...

Guy or girl? Can you tell? Or does it even matter?

Japanese culture have actually reconstitute what deems as handsome/cool in guys especially in Asia. Example......

Who else but the beloved f4!

So I was thinking, in Japan if girls who play guys and guys who play girls are cool...maybe it might work in Malaysia too....

Maybe we can generate Malaysia's very own ikemen too! Let us first look at the characteristics of ikemen:

• Skinny
• Feminine body features
• Pretty eyes
• Killer smile
  
• No facial hair
• Hard to distinguish the gender
• Can pull off looking cute and cool
  
• Charming
  
• Attracts both genders
  

Generating Malaysia's ikemen....

Nope...too manly and hairy

Still too manly

Close...Got the smile but still lacking something

Very close (can hardly tell guy or girl)

And the winner is.................

Jonathan Wong!

Jonathan Wong aka Choy Choy encompasses all the qualities of an ikemen. From his skinny figure to girly looks, this one gets all the girls and then some....Here is his profile to prove that he deserves to win....

Pretty eyes, killer smile (look at underwear ikemen above for reference)

How many guys do you know who can pull off this cute look?

And still look so coolio?

Giving the girls a run for their money. Look at how the guys fall for him

Wohoo...we now have Malaysia's first ikemen. Congrats!!! Good luck picking up more chicks and guys! Maybe you can train more ikemen and have a club. Don't forget your pink blusher and frilly undies from now on ok! Maybe I should put up one for the girls next time... Until then, don't forget to check out the drama series and the video for the drama's theme song "Ikenai Taiyou" by Orange Range! You can find both on YouTube.