Archive for January 1st, 2010
One year after his sex photo scandal derailed his career and his decision to take an indefinite break from the entertainment industry, Hong Kong actor-singer Edison Chen is speculated to be making a comeback in July next year.
In addition to recently opening the Shanghai branch of his fashion boutique, JUICE, his foray into the electronic gaming world by rebranding handheld consoles are seen by many to be early steps the 29-year-old is taking to return to the spotlight.
At the Asia Game Show in 2008, Edison’s his hip hop clothing line CLOT collaborated with PlayStation to release a series of merchandise. His personal appearance at the press event at the time to promote the collaboration fueled rumours of a speculated comeback.
For this year’s Asia Game Show, the two brands will once again work together to release a line of AGS Limited Edition Head Porter X CLOT PSPgo’ covers for Playstation’s latest new handheld console, PSPgo.
When he was down with a severe throat infection, JJ Lin was constantly depressed with feelings of helplessness. He “even suspected that I will not be unable to sing anymore.”
But the local singer, who’s since made a full recovery, says that his love for music and composition and the encouragement from family and friends helped him pull through the darkest days that were “undeniably the toughest 100 days of my life.” His latest album release, his seventh, is even titled 100 Days.
The album’s title track ‘Hundred Days’ was inspired by feelings he recalled while lying along on the hospital bed one night. In the intense silence within the ward, he shut his eyes and experienced emotions similar to when he was in love in his younger days.
“Even if it was the end of the world, I am still willing to believe, take a risk and gamble it all even if I know it is impossible.”
Watch the music video below for an exclusive sneak peek at ‘Hundred Days’.
100 Days is currently available at all good record stores.
The Taiwanese media recently conducted a voting event to vote for the five most handsome guys in Taiwan. Vic Zhou came in first with a total of 13,989 votes, beating first runner-up Jerry Yan, who obtained a total of 8813 votes. Following behind Jerry Yan are Ethan Ruan, Kaneshiro Takeshi and Mark Zhao respectively.
Through the entire voting event from the 7th to 21st December, the competition between Vic and Jerry was the most intense, but they are actually on very good terms in private.
Jerry’s manager, Fenny, said, “Since Jerry and Vic are ‘brothers’, whoever wins the voting is the same. Jerry would like to express his thanks to his fans and also to those who voted for him.”
Although these voting events are often carried out with fans sending in their votes through various accounts, however, this particular event has brought about a new issue of fans setting up anonymous accounts and made use of systematic methods that allows for automatic voting through different IP addresses. This has thus distorted the entire system, causing the actual number of votes to be of great difference as compared to the values shown on the website.
Thus, after clearing away the “artificial” votes by the webpage’s management, out of 29,384 votes casted in total, Vic Zhou emerged the overall winner with a vote count of 13,989. Ethan Ruan, who has the least number of artificial votes emerged as the second runner-up with a total of 3500 votes. Kaneshiro Takeshi came in fourth with a total of 3033 votes, while Mark Zhao despite being fifth in place, had only 49 votes.
With regards to this event, Ethan said, “I’m aware of this event, but I didn’t dare to view the webpage, as I don’t want it to affect my mood.” He also thank his fans from all over for their support.
Having known Mark through their partnership in MONGA, Ethan supports Mark, saying, “He will be with me for the next 20 years. This event is for a particular moment. No one is sure who will win or lose over the next 20 years.”
Jacky Wu’s wife, Zhang Wei Wei, was hospitalized on the 18th December for an operation to remove her breast tumors. She’s currently recuperating in the ICU in a hospital in Taiwan. Jacky had confirmed that his wife was diagnosed with two breast tumors five years ago, but recently they were further diagnosed to contain harmful cells, thus the doctor suggested an operation.
Zhang Wei Wei, last seen in June at her personal exhibition, was looking good with no signs of her having problems with her health.
However, half a year later, Zhang Wei Wei was said to have developed breast tumor and was hospitalized for an operation to remove them. According to reports, the entire operation lasted for almost 6 hours.
Zhang Wei Wei, who has always kept a low profile, admitted into the hospital anonymously, and her hospital ward was guarded. Furthermore, she requested for the hospital management not to disclose her condition to public.
When being asked about this incident during the recording of Azio Superstar, Jacky said, “On the day of her operation, I wasn’t working in Taiwan, but ever since I return, I visited her daily. The doctor says that she’s recovering very well, and her church friends came over to help take care of her. For now, she needs to rest well and she will be transferred to the normal ward in a couple of days. After she’s discharged, she will still need to return for regular check-ups.”
Jacky also mentioned that her second and third daughter have also returned from America to keep their mother company. When being asked whether he will cherish his wife even more after this incident, he said, “It’s not so serious!”
Jacky and Zhang Wei Wei got married in 1990, and they have got three daughters and one son.
Taiwan top model cum female artiste, Lin Chi-ling, frankly revealed that despite being on guard against men, she is worried about not being loved.
Jay Chou and Lin Chi-ling, together with director Kevin Chu, arrived in Singapore two days ago to promote their latest movie The Treasure Hunter. They attended a press conference in the afternoon, a fans meeting held at Plaza Singapura in the evening, followed by the Christmas premiere of The Treasure Hunter at GV Vivocity.
The Treasure Hunter is another major production starring Chi-ling following Red Cliff 1 & 2. In The Treasure Hunter, her role is a writer who is on bad terms with her father (acted by Kenneth Tsang), and also having a love-hate relationship with Jay Chou.
In the movie, there is a scene where Jay and Chi-ling are both drunk, and after much persuasion by the director, Chi-ling who doesn’t drink, drank a bit, and she became more open.
Chi-ling with her gentle tone said in an exclusive interview with us, “I am not a good drinker. When I drink, I will turn red, and when I’m drunk, I will be laughing non-stop.”
With regards to Jay revealing that Chi-ling is on guard against men, Chi-ling admitted, “It’s only towards men! I have no idea why, but it seemed like this segment (of getting along with men) is missing from my growing up process.”
She further explained, “(As) I’ve known Jay for very long, it is easier to build rapport. Actually, it is not much of being on guard against men, but because I warm up at a slower pace, I don’t really know how to get along with men.”
When asked if Chi-ling has the desire to get into a relationship after almost falling in love in the movie, Chi-ling answered smiling, “Even if I didn’t participate in this movie, I will also have (the desire to get into a relationship)!”
When probed if she had found someone who can protect her, Chi-ling exclaimed that she’s also anxious about this it!
She said, “It’s more of a loving and giving feeling than hoping for someone to protect me.”
With regards to the constant rumour about her marriage with Taiwanese businessman, Qiu Shi-kai, Chi-ling gave an interesting reply, “I no longer read these reports and I don’t go after media reports. I only read them once in a few months to keep myself updated.”
As for her resolutions for 2010, Chi-ling mentioned that she hopes to participate in a couple more movies, and also expressed her interest in trying out scheming roles! Despite having presented her debut singing for The Treasure Hunter’s theme song, of which she wrote the lyrics and Jay composed the music, Chi-ling mentioned that she does not have vain hopes about releasing an album.
Thinking back about the first time she enters the recording room, she said, “I seemed to have lost my voice and nothing seems to be coming out!”
Furthermore, Chi-ling hopes to have more time for herself in the coming year and to live life her way.
“I would love to spend more time at home or to travel around to places without much attention being given, and to move around freely.”
The Treasure Hunter will be screening in local cinemas starting from 31st December 2009.
After being in the music scene for one year, 23-year-old Evan Yo has come up with his third album Loneliness and was in Singapore over the weekend to promote the album. Despite nursing a sensitive nose, he was all smiles and polite to everyone at scene.
On his new album, he opens up and reveals what is truly in his heart – loneliness. Recently graduated from university and becoming a full-fletched artiste, he revealed that sometimes he has fears of being followed by the media, and is afraid that this will hinder his chances of getting a girlfriend, thus his loneliness.
He cited the example of Taiwan actress Riva Zhang (otherwise known as Xiao Tian Tian) who was seen going to his house last Christmas and was snapped by the media. He clarified that there is nothing going on between them.
With Christmas just over, the currently single singer has no time to feel lonely. “I was very busy during the Christmas season, as I received a notification of my enlistment into the army. I had no time to settle my stuff or bade good-bye to my family and relatives!”
He added that after work, he would hang out with his friends for Christmas gifts exchange so often that his parents had to call and ask him why he had so many presents to exchange!
While Evan does not deny his desire to fall in love, he said that these things cannot be forced. “It must be the right person at the right time. But now is not the time, as I will be serving the army.”
Evan Yo: Jane Huang’s not bad
Earlier this month, he collaborated with Taiwanese band Y2J in Malaysia for a concert. That night, he kept on praising Jane Huang for being ‘Taiwan’s chili padi’ and commented that every time he looked at her, he felt like melting.
While he denied any attraction for Jane, he described her as a cordial, generous and cute girl with superb vocals and he admires her for that. He also said she was not bad-looking.
Evan’s afraid that he would be forgotten with his enlistment
With his impending enlistment next year January, Evan admitted that he fears being forgotten as he is leaving the music scene for a year. However, he also said that one year will pass very fast and after his completion, he will start preparing for his new album and hopes that everyone will still remember him.
With more and more new singers being discovered and him taking a leave of absence, does Evan fear that his fans will shift their loyalty to another? He replied, “I know where my strengths lie and what I am able to give to listeners, so I’m not afraid.”
“I want to stay by myself after army!”
On talk about his enlistment, Evan revealed that he once he enters the army, he can no longer rely on his colleagues and has to learn how to be independent. However, he asserts that he is an independent person and has been financially independent since his university days. While he hopes to stay on his own after completing his national service, he also revealed another dream of his, which is to earn enough money to buy a house for him and his family.
So which area (dancing, hosting etc.) is Evan looking to towards advancing his career? With a sigh, he said while that he is worried that the idol drama he previously filmed, Kendo Love, will not be screened, he is willing to take on more acting roles.
Loneliness is available in all music stores.
A Facebook group started to condemn the alleged attempt to blow up a US passenger plane by a 23-year-old Nigerian has attracted more than 43,000 members.
“We Condemn Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s Action: Nigerians are NOT Terrorists,” is the tagline for the Facebook group.
The group was created by Henry Omoregie, who described himself in an email exchange with AFP as an oil and gas recruitment consultant and freelance online journalist in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The description of the group says it was formed to “condemn the behaviour of a lone numbskull who has just dragged Nigeria’s already sodden image more into the mud.
“Nigerians are good people, we are not terrorists, we love life!” the page says.
Abdulmutallab, the son of a prominent Nigerian banker, has been accused by US authorities of trying to bring down the US-bound airliner on Christmas Day by setting off a high explosive called PETN sewn into his underwear.
“I started this page because it has been years of global disgust at Nigeria and Nigerians for acts done by a microunit of actually peace-loving people,” Omoregie said in the email to AFP.
“We Nigerians cannot fold our arms and watch while the acts of just one over-bloated sun (sic) of a big-gun smears the already sodden image of our great Nation and puts the travel comfort of over 150 million in jeopardy,” he said.
“With the fuming retorts on the group page, any right-thinking non-Nigerian will see the real emotions and hatred of this dastardly act by well-meaning good people of a great nation,” he added.
Hundreds of comments have been posted on the wall of the Facebook page, with most expressing outrage at the attempt to blow up the plane, which was carrying nearly 300 passengers and crew on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.
If you’ve seen episodes of RenovAid, you’ll know that the reality show, which combines charity and home renovation for the less fortunate, featured a family of six which lived in flat crammed with items.
When we caught up with Michelle Chia at the filming, the host described in a serious tone the entire home to be “just stuffed with stuff.
“Like things that you’ve had for years but just left aside. It’s packed from the floor to the ceiling. And none of the wardrobes can be opened because the doors are all blocked by boxes and stacks of clothes or whatever, we don’t even know yet. We only just cleared the corridor, and now we’re moving into the living room next.”
Michelle shared that during her visits to the house, she “felt very uncomfortable and a lot of discomfort. It was just not good energy. We needed to give them a new environment to live in, better energy, better vibe.”
Her forehead very nearly throbbed as she said with steely determination, “We’re gonna try and convince them to throw any as much stuff as possible.” Though it could be quite the challenge at times, “‘cos there’s still some stuff they want to keep, which we can’t understand, like ‘Why do you want this?’”
But is the pot calling the kettle black, when Michelle admitted to being a bit of a hoarder herself? “But I found a very good way to throw stuff away. If I realize I haven’t thought about that thing at all in the last one or two years, that means I won’t miss it. So I just chuck it away or donate it. Especially clothes (sheepishly), just give them away. My mum’s good at that!”
Guess it also helps that her hubby, fellow actor Shaun Chen is “quite minimalist. And he’s very organized-more organized that me!”
Besides battling the clutter (and dust) during the shoot, Michelle also had to be ultra careful because of her sinus problem and a recently-acquired back injury. She chuckled when we enquired how her nose was doing. “I’ve always had sinus problem. Whenever it’s dusty I get very itchy, I start sneezing, and my eyes get very watery.
But right now, the biggest problem is my back. The lower part of my spine isn’t doing very well, so I can’t bend up and down, carrying heavy stuff. Fortunately, we have some volunteers, including two of the show’s producers. (Laughs)”
RenovAid airs Thurs, 10pm on Ch 5.
As one of the final two Singapore Idol Season Three finalists, Sylvia Ratonel sang her heart out last night at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to a crowd of 8,000 people. She opened the night’s performance with a bang and delivered ‘Mercy’ with a groovy sexy punch before crooning to Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’, giving the mellow tune a little twist of its own – but nothing could beat her final performance – a heartfelt and emotional rendition of ‘Touched By An Angel’, composed and written by Ken Lim.
Despite losing out to Sezairi Sezali, Sylvia stood tall and proud, appearing every bit a winner in her own right. With no regrets, she earnestly shared that she is “satisfied with what she has accomplished thus far.”
“I did my best and gave it my all. Singapore has voted and I respect that. I am happy to have come this far. I did the best I could, perhaps it is just fate. Perhaps, I have a different path to take.”
Apart from gaining the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of performing at the Indoor Stadium, Singapore Idol also mended the broken bridges between Sylvia and her father. “It really made my relationship with my family much closer. My father was very supportive and told me this before I came to the indoor stadium, ‘You are already a winner.’”
Honoured to be the first Singapore Idol female finalist, Sylvia believed that her gender was not the main reason behind her loss and said, “We do have equal chances at winning and I have received a lot of motivation from being the first female idol finalist.”
We referred to Ken’s comparison made on both finalists when he said that “Sezairi was musically better than Sylvia” and asked her if she would be doing anything to further enhance her ‘musician capabilities’. The 21-year-old eagerly enthused, “I really want to learn how to play the piano badly. I’m sure it’ll help me in my performances.”
“Perhaps, I’ll be the first Alicia Keys wannabe in Singapore!” she jested before sincerely adding, “I really hope to carve out a singing career in the industry.”
She profusely thanked fans for their continuous and ardent support throughout her six-month long idol journey and said with tears glistening in her eyes, “I am very touched. If it’s not for you guys, I wouldn’t have performed this far. I am also very thankful to my colleagues at Conrad who have been very supportive all these while.
Summarizing her long idol journey as “wonderful” and “tiring”, she said, “It feels so fulfilling and it still feels like a dream. I’m just really glad to touch people and their lives.”
Ayumi Hamasaki and Jin Akanishi Share a Rumoured Relationship
After ending her relationship with Tomoya Nagase, rumours about Ayumi Hamasaki dating Tomoya Nagase’s junior, Jin Akanishi (a member of KAT-TUN, a Japanese boy band formed under Johnny & Associates [Johnny's]) has been on the spread.
It was reported that Jin Akanishi was seen cohabiting with Japanese model, Nishiyama Maki, before the rumour about him and Ayumi Hamasaki broke out. However, the relationship between Ayumi Hamasaki and Jin Akanishi seemed to be a known secret in the Japanese entertainment field.
When interviewed, a friend of Ayumi Hamasaki denied the rumoured relationship and thinks that since Jin Akanishi respects Tomoya Nagase a lot, it is not possible for him to fall in love with his “ex-sister-in-law”.
However, an experienced reporter thinks that this rumoured relationship may be Ayumi Hamasaki’s intention of using Jin Akanishi as a sensationalizing “tool”. This is because, in the past, while dating Tomaya Nagase, whenever Ayumi Hamasaki had got a new released single or album, there would also be relevant rumours about her beau at the same time.
Despite so, the media too thinks that with both parties being a popular figure in the Japanese entertainment field, it is not surprising if both of them develop feelings for one another along the way.