VOA标准英语2009-Fans in Asia Remember Jackson Fondly

People in Asia woke Friday to news of the death of Michael Jackson, an American pop icon¹ who left behind fans throughout the region².
　
Newspaper with report on death of pop star Michael Jackson at news stand in Beijing, 27 Jun 2009

The music sounds like the 1983 Michael Jackson-Paul McCartney duet, "Say, Say, Say." The singer though is China's top rocker Cui Jian, who recorded this cover in the 1990s.

Throughout Asia, people were saddened by news of the death of the pop superstar.

In Taipei, Claire Chen said she at first did not believe it.

Chen says her sister called her Friday morning and told her the news. She says she thought Jackson was going back on tour soon, but after she realized the singer was indeed dead, she went to watch all of his videos on YouTube.

In Seoul, 49-year-old Jung Ji-Sun remembers he was able to become wealthy, even though he was black, because he was a brilliant singer.

Jung says she remembers songs like "Billie Jean" and "Beat It."

She says she used to imitate his gestures and moves during aerobic³ dance sessions⁴. Now, she says she feels grief⁵ and sorrow.

In China, 28-year-old musician Ray Wang says he heard his first Michael Jackson song, "Dangerous," when he was 14 years old.

He didn't like it at the time, but grew to like and appreciate Jackson' music more as he got older.

Wang says there are many musicians in China who were influenced by him. He says all Chinese musicians have at least heard the American singer's songs.

At the same time, he says it has been hard for Chinese fans to separate the man from the music.

Wang says many Chinese people don't like how the black singer lightened⁶ his skin, in what they saw as an unnatural⁷ effort to become white.

Although that is one of the strongest memories Chinese people have, Wang says they also will remember Jackson's dancing and the unique way he sang. Wang says although another person may try to sing a Jackson song, he will never be able to give it the same feeling.

1 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

2 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

3 aerobic   

adj.需氧的，增氧健身法的，有氧的

参考例句：

• Aerobic exercise helps to build up stamina.有氧健身操有助于增强耐力。
• Aerobic dance is conductive to the health.有氧舞蹈有助于健康。

4 sessions   

n.（尤指法庭、议会等）开庭( session的名词复数 )；（自发或俱乐部的）聚会；会期；（进行某活动连续的）一段时间

参考例句：

• A few sessions talking to a counsellor should straighten him out. 跟辅道员谈几次就会使他改正过来的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sessions will enable you to discuss problems with fellow asthma sufferers. 这些环节让你和其他哮喘病患者一起讨论问题。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 grief   

n.悲伤，悲痛，悲伤的事，悲痛的缘由

参考例句：

• Don't allow yourself to sink into grief,it can do no good.不要使自己陷入悲哀之中，这样一点好处也没有。
• After her mother died,she abandoned herself to grief.母亲死后，她沉浸于悲痛之中。

6 lightened   

v.使（某物）更明亮( lighten的过去式和过去分词 )；变得更光明

参考例句：

• The bonfire lightened the sky. 营火照亮了天空。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The moon lightened the courtyard. 月亮照得院子里挺明快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 unnatural   

adj.不自然的；反常的

参考例句：

• Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？
• She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。