Sounds like a plan!  Thanks

Thanks Jessi for the nice article...

www.animax-asia.com

jia you vanness!

Source: sina
Translation: Sarah @ http://asianfanatics.net

Growing up in single-parent families: F4, Jay Chou, Jiro Wang & Dylan Kuo all have a sad history

Many people are attracted to the talent and good looks of the male idols in the entertainment circle, but often we will overlook their family background. You may not know that in the Taiwan entertainment circle, many male idols all grew up in single-parent families. Today’s Asia King Jay Chou is one of them; when he was 14 years old, his parents divorced, and he was brought up by his mother alone. Was Jay’s family like how he describes in his song, and full of violence? And how did his 3 composed songs for his grandmother, mother and father originate?

Dylan Kuo rose to fame after starring in idol drama ‘The Outsiders’. His situation inside and outside of the drama are surprisingly similar. At a young age, not only did he experience the hurt from his parent’s divorce, his mother also died when he was in junior school. How much unknown pain did he experience during his childhood and teenage years? How did he live his unimaginable life?

As for idol group F4, all 4 members were actually brought up by their mothers, and the 4 experienced lives even rougher than in television dramas. So how was each of their single-parent family life?

Fahrenheit’s Jiro Wang looks full of sunshine in all directions. But once at an event, his family was brought up and he broke down in tears. Behind a prince image, actually lies a rather tough childhood life; when he was in junior school, already he had to work so to take care of his whole family. And what kind of childhood life did he experience?

If you want to know what kind of bitter memories were left on our male idols, please w

Taiwanese star Vanness Wu finds God and looks to celibacy to start afresh, Friday February 27, 2009 Singapore

He gives up playboy life
Taiwanese star Van Ness Wu finds God and looks to celibacy to start afresh

Thanks: sChiZo014@asianfanatics.net


Van Ness Wu showing off the ring named Chastity Belt. The ring is part of his line of jewellery called 3VO7

ONE of the pieces in Taiwanese American singer-actor Van Ness Wu's new jewellery line is called the Chastity Belt.

And the 31-year-old Taiwanese singer-actor says the piece - a ring designed to be worn on two fingers - is a current reflection of his life.

Van Ness, a Christian, claims he has given up his playboy ways and wants to focus on religion.

He told The New Paper: 'One of the things that I felt was keeping me from God was sex.

'So I told myself, let's just stop that right now.'

Van Ness was in town yesterday to promote his latest movie Kung Fu Chefs, which co-stars Hong Kong actor Sammo Hung and Japanese actress Kago Ai.

In the movie, which opens in cinemas today , he plays Ken, a martial arts foreign exchange student who loves cooking.

The actor, best known for being one-fourth of one of Taiwan's hottest boy bands F4 (now known as JVKV), said he has made a decision to remain celibate.

He has even changed the spelling of his name - from Vanness to Van Ness - the spelling of the road he was named after in his hometown of Los Angeles.

And it's not only his name that has changed.

He confessed that at the peak of his career in F4, he had led a life of 'fast cars and one night stands'.

Van Ness broke into showbiz in 2001, when he was cast with other F4 members - Jerry Yen, Vic Chou and Ken Chu - in the highly successful 2001 Taiwanese idol drama, Meteor Garden.

He said fame and fortune resulted in him losing his sense of self.

Van Ness, who has been linked to Taiwanese starlet Vivian Hsu and Japanese singer Aisa Senda, explained: 'There were days when I thought, 'how did I even get here?'

'I was concerned with the millions of dollars needed to buy a big house. I felt insecure and empty.'

The actor said he put his fast life behind him at the beginning of last year when he returned to the US.

He said spending time with his family and not thinking about work made him 'more grounded'.

Van Ness had given up his job as a telemarketer and moved to Taiwan seven years ago to pursue a career in entertainment.

His mother, sister and niece still live in the US.

But Van Ness said his new perspective on life didn't happen overnight.

'I have been a Christian for the past seven years but have I really lived up to that?

'I asked myself that and the answer was clear. Now I'm a changed man.'

Van Ness, attributes his renewed belief in religion as having helped him when he was down.

He recalled how he felt lost when he moved to Taiwan as a 24-year-old.

He said he was turned down a few times by numerous record labels and had turned to prayer to ask 'for a miracle'.

Before he knew it, he was cast in Meteor Garden and became part of one of the hottest boy bands in Asia.

F4 went on to release three albums and was the first foreign artiste to hold seven consecutive concerts in Japan, breaking the records of Taiwanese and Hong Kong pop sensations Jay Chou and Faye Wong.

Their group albums combined have sold more than eight million copies worldwide.

Van Ness, who has three solo albums to his name - his latest offering titled In Between released in July last year - has starred in movies such as Star Runner and Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon and Dragon Squad.

A different dream

Ironically, Van Ness confessed that he had never wanted to be part of a boy band.

His initial goal, when he made the trip to Asia, was to do TV and film.

He added that at the height of his career, he felt stifled by his management company, Fu Long, which he said dictated his image and choice of work.

Van Ness said: 'I'm not the type of person who likes to be confined.

'I wanted to do the music that I love, not something which the record company thinks will make money.'

But don't call him ungrateful.

Van Ness said he's happy for the path that being in F4 has paved for him and the 'roller-coaster ride of fame' was something that he had to live through and get out of his system.

He has now signed on with a new management agency, BST Corp - which stands for Blood Sweat And Tears - a company which he founded with 'people I trust'.

He plans to focus more on movies and TV dramas, but will also release a new solo album later this year.

He meets veteran chef, Bing Yi, played by Sammo, who takes him in as an assistant.

He also recently launched his jewellery line named 3VO7 (it stands for the word 'love' if the letters areflipped).

Having designed all the pieces himself, he says that the collection is an apt representation of where he is in life right now.

For example, on a pendant named Heart Trap, which is shaped like a mousetrap, the words 'save me' are inscribed behind - his personal message to God.

Van Ness said that he couldn't have done this two years ago because he wouldn't have been in the right frame of mind then.

He said: 'I wanted to make a statement with the pieces and I know people will listen.

'I used to be all about the bling. Now I am just about being positive and healing.'

Van Ness is also doing the English and Mandarin voiceover of bio-scientist Jack Griswold in new Animax film, LaMB.

The film, which debuts on Animax (StarHub Ch 84) on 24 Mar at 8pm, also stars Tanaka Chie and Josie Ho.

And probably as testament to the enduring success of his breakout TV series Meteor Garden, a third remake - in Korean - was recently released in January.

A Japanese version of the show, which is based on a Japanese manga, was released in 2005.

China and the Philippines have also jumped on the bandwagon and announced their own remakes of the series.

Van Ness said: 'I'm glad that our series made such a big impact. I do feel honoured.'

Vanness Wu Helps Race Wong To Film Short Clip, Sunday March 22, 2009 Hong Kong

Translated by: shellstah__ @ http://asianfanatics.net
Credits: MingPao

Please do not make amendments to this article in anyway without permission.



Member Race Wong of 2R is preparing to release her solo album. In order to match with the promotion of the album, she invited good friend. Vanness Wu to be the male lead of a short musical drama called <Don't Seperate Don't See> (Chinese saying: If we don't see each other, then we don't seperate. Except the original is 'But Geen But San' but Race switched the order of the Geen and San --> But San But Geen). The director of the drama was actually another one of her rumoured boyfriends. She pointed out that both the director and Vanness did not get paid, so she will pay for their meal and volunteered to help them in the future when they needed the film something. Race also started to compliment that not only Vanness specially came to Hong Kong to help, he also sacrificed his body for them to film him shirtless and working out at the same time. Then she also complimented that the director made the scene look very professional.

In the short clip, Vanness and Race play a couple. When asked if there were any intimate scenes, Vanness said they probably isn't. Race said, "This is the first time that the 3 of us are self-directing and acting at the same time, so there is a possibility that scenes need to be added or cut," Both males joked that if an intimate scene was necessary, they would demonstrate for Race before the actual filming.


[ Last edited by  Jacinta at 2009-3-23 01:23 PM ]

WOW!! THIS IS NICE!!
F4 IS AWESOME!! GLAD TO NOW there are NUMBER one on Japanese chart!!! =D

Vanness Wu Joins A New Company & Receives Special Treatment; Claims That F4 Remain as Friends, Prepares 1st Japanese Single, Saturday March 28, 2009 Taiwan

http://www.sina.com.cn
2009 03 28 @11:08
translation credits: http://emskie24.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/w...nds/#comment-81

Sina entertainment news- on March 27, Wu Jianhao (Vanness) invited good friend Jimmy in Taiwan to direct the MV “Only” for his brand-new Japanese EP. In addition, at the location set, Japanese fans also appeared , it appears Vanness is also quite popular in Japan.

Wu Jianhao’s Japanese EP will be released soon in May, he especially returns to Taiwan to shoot “Only” MV yesterday (27th) , and invited good friend Jimmy to direct. But Vanness also officially announced joining the new company zhong zi music ,and predicted that in the second half of the year to to release new album.

Vanness has just completed recording his Japanese EP in Japan, and he’s working nonstop, he hurried back to Taiwan to shoot the MV, then he will go immediately to mainland on the 30th to embark in filming of a new movie . On this MV shoot, Vanness also especially invited Brother Jimmy to direct,and in the MV he will act as the God of Love, who would strive to reconcile three pair of lovers , against a small fiend who tries to destroy the lovers’ relationship.

Zhong zi music showed sppport for Vanness’ labor.As a special courteous reception, it did not hesitate to prepare large sum of money to provide an international superstar-level equipment for him,to take a rest and the vehicle that the company prepared for him have a bed,a health bath equipment and a kitchen. This Hollywood superstar-level special-purpose rest vehicle,also has meal snacks and all kinds of fruit Vanness likes eating. In addition, Zhong zi music also has arranged a hot chick masseuse in the shooting scene to provide Vanness a massage. However, when Vanness saw the hot chick masseuse,he was quite shy,and expressed that he is not used to having massage in front of many people .

Previously, Zhu Xiaotian (Ken) frankly said that F4 are not friends, arousing curiousity from the outside world, wether this solid group’s association only appears united but divided at heart . Regarding this, Wu Jianhao said: “ I regard F4 as friends.” He and Yan Chengxu (Jerry) meet together and Zaizai(Vic) , after seeing Zhu Xiaotian’s (Ken)reports , also passes on the news to him on sms , he thought: “We have a great time working together. I still wish the other three to have a happy life.” He also optimistically believed that F4 can certainly come together again . However, he also admitted that he has no contact with Ken Zhu Xiaotian.

Van Ness Wu appreciates being named F4
Yahoo News

Taiwan drama Meteor Garden brought four boys to fame throughout Asia. It has been almost eight years now and many people still remember F4. One of its members, Van Ness Wu, was in town recently to promote his movie. He said, in an exclusive interview with MediaCorp News, that he does not mind being in the shadow of F4 and looks forward to future collaborations with the other three members - Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou and Ken Chu.

Q: Your latest movie Kung Fu Chef was recently screened in Singapore cinemas. In the film, you had great culinary skills. How are your skills in real life?
Van Ness: I think it's not bad. But I have no idea how others feel about it.

Q: What's your own cooking specialty?
Van Ness: Fried egg. It's so simple; I don't think it can go wrong.

Q: Besides cooking, your character Lung Kin-Yat also loves the Chinese culture. What about yourself?
Van Ness: Yes, I like it very much. Understanding the culture allows me to find my roots.

Q: Actors of the film come from many different countries -- Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan; all of you speak different languages and have different lifestyles. Were there any interesting things that happened, or moments when you were lost in translation?
Van Ness: I was lucky this time round. Cherrie Ying and Sammo Hung both speak English; and even Kago Ai speaks a little English, so we had no problem communicating. The two girls are cute and comical. We had fun together and in the end we became buddies. Cherrie is really more like a 'brother'; she has the strong personality of a guy. Kago Ai, on the other hand, is a little sister. I think she's really talented and I can see her efforts in the film.

Q: In the film, you had to be thrown around and beaten up. Was it tough?
Van Ness: Not very tough but suffering injuries from action films are inevitable. You need to be mentally prepared and extra careful. But usually there'll be people around to look after us, so I have no fears.

Q: How many movies have you made so far?
Van Ness: Five.

Q: How do you feel about them?
Van Ness: I'm glad that they picked me to be in their movies. In fact, I've recently set up my own movie production company together with Sammo Hung's son, Jimmy. He has written a script for which he'll be directing.

Q: Will you be acting in the film?
Van Ness: Yes.

Q: You were saying that this is your fifth movie. How much have you grown and what have you gained from the five films?
Van Ness: I've become more natural in front of the camera, and am able to perform more freely. There are rooms for different experiences and it's really fun.

Q: You grew up in the States and usually converse in English. Is language a barrier when you are filming Chinese movies or dramas?
Van Ness: Inevitably, it is. I still need to work at my Chinese.

Q: Besides movies, what about other aspects of your career? Are there still new plans or arrangements for your singing career?
Van Ness: Yes. Besides movie productions, I will be releasing my third album this year and will be working on music in Japan. Besides performing, I've also started designing accessories and set up my own brand this year. I've loved drawing and designing since I was a child.

Q: Everyone knows you from the boy band F4 and in fact the four of you are still classified as a group. Do you mind?
Van Ness: No, not at all. After all, this is how I stepped into the scene. I'm very happy to have had the opportunity to work with the other three of them. It was really hard for us to get to where we are today. We're really lucky that people still remember us as F4 after seven or eight years.

Q: Do you guys often get together?
Van Ness: Not really. We are all busy with our own work. But we send SMS to find out how each other is doing.

Q: Do you look forward to working together again?
Van Ness: Yes, of course.

Q: Have you ever imagined yourself pursuing a performing career?
Van Ness: No, I've never thought of it to be this way.

Q: Do you intend to continue doing this?
Van Ness: I do not. But I have no idea what God intends for me. I'll leave it to Him to decide.

Q: We believe your diligence will pay off and go a long way. Here's wishing you success in your career.
Van Ness: Thank You.

[ Last edited by  Jacinta at 2009-4-14 01:09 PM ]

Van Ness Wu featured in "Singapore ghost stories"
Yahoo News

A horror romance picture featuring the ghost stories of Singapore's Chinatown is in the making. Taiwanese celebrity Van Ness Wu, Japanese actress Ai Kago and Chinese actress Li Xiaolu will engage in a cross-dimensional love triangle for the film.

Veteran actor Guk Fung hosted the pre-shoot praying ceremony where the entire cast and crew turned up. Li, who is acting as the departed Xiao Fu Rong, attended the ceremony in her red "ghost outfit".

Together with Wu and Kago, Li will be involved in a cross-dimensional love triangle. For the first time in his acting career, Wu will be taking on two roles in a single film.

Kago, previously from the Japan pop girl group, Morning Musume, was also a screen partner of Wu in movie Kung Fu Chef shown on local screens earlier this year.

This movie, which will be shot in Guangdong, Singapore and Malaysia, is targeted for screening this year.

F2 – Vaness and Ken – to act in 'Tao Hua Girl'!, Sunday May 24, 2009 Taiwan

Source: UDN
Pls credits .Lolly-Pop* @ http://asianfanatics.net when taking the news out!


Vaness Wu to get a cameo appearance in the idol drama: "Tao Hua Girl"

Both Vic and Jerry of F4 are currently filming new idol dramas but the same would goes for the other 2 F4’s member – Vaness and Ken – also. Both Wu and Chu are invited to be the cast of Comic’s new drama – Tao Hua Girl (Tao Hua Xiao Mei). With regards to the rumours about him and Kelly Lin are getting married, Ken mentioned that he is still a single bachelor and shotgun marriage is a NO for him.

“Momo Love” or “Tao Hua Ai Wu Di” which was previously a joint-collaboration by GTV and Comic Ritz has stopped its filming since last June. Rumour has it that because of the main casts – Gui Gui and Aaron Yan – were unable to work well together, the drama ended its filming which led to a lost of $200 0000. Comic Ritz has thus decided to film another new drama after one year whereby the drama will be a rendition of a Japanese famous manga, Tao Hua Girl. Jiro and Cyndi are casted to be the main protagonist with F2 being the supporting actors.

Been venturing into the China’s entertainment market lately, Ken will act as Cyndi’s older brother in this idol drama whereby it is a challenging role because he doesn’t allow his sister from falling in love with Jiro. Ken was also surprised that his debut drama “Meteor Garden” received much love from the audience till today, “All I could say that it was a miracle for the drama to become a big hit because the production fees was minimal compared to the current Korea’s dramas”.

Chu also expressed that his self – directing documentary which features the scenery of Taiwan would be released in July. Rumours has it that he has married Kelly Lin but Chu denied the claim by saying that he is currently single with no plans of having a shotgun marriage in the future. Jiro on the other hand has had a cameo appearance in “K.O. 3an Guo” to get himself better ready for his role in Tao Hua Girl.

gosh I hope Ken N V rejected this offer.....always use f4 members to boost ratings/sales...fed up about it...

ONLY MV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6kjw28VeOA

Ken Chu steals the strength from Momo Love to fight Jiro Wang, Tuesday May 26, 2009 Taiwan

Source : Liberty Times
translated by elvenstar87 @ http://asianfanatics.net


Fahrenheit Jiro Wang (on the left) and Calvin Chen, with F4 Ken Chu on the other side, looking as if there's a clear barrier separating them. From the right there is Godfrey Gao, Ding Chun Cheng (Sphinx), Cyndi Wang, Jing Wong, Lan Jun Tian.



F4 and Fahrenheit collaborate again! Ken Chu and Vanness Wu in the new drama [Mo Mo Love] with "Da Dong" Jiro Wang and Calvin Chen, who succeeded them to become Taiwan's tourist ambassadors. Just after Jerry Yan cooperated with Wu Chun in [Hot Shot] , the 2 idol groups once again collaborate in the same drama.

The 4 handsome leads in Mo Mo love confront face to face
Fahrenheit has been a group for 4 yrs, After becoming famous they've been called the " clone of F4". F4 have opened up territory in Japan, their idol drama have broke through in Japan, released albums in Japanese and held concerts, Fahrenheit have also followed closely behind their seniors trail. After the end of F4 being Taiwan's tourist ambassador, Fahrenheit was close to carry on the baton. The 2 groups battle on, until [Mo Mo Love] finally gives F2 Ken and Vanness the chance to battle Jiro and Calvin face to face.

Debuted already for 10 yrs, Ken Chu exclaims he's getting old
Yesterday [Mo Mo Love] started shooting, Vanness Wu was absent, Ken Chu "battled alone" with Jiro and Calvin, In the past the flower F4 boys (referring to meteor garden), the 30 yr old Ken Chu sighed since his debut, it has already been 10 yrs, becoming the oldest there. When Jiro and Calvin accepted interviews, he also helped hold the microphones. Seeing Jiro's bloodshot eyes and Calvin's panda eyes, Ken said " Just by looking, I already know it was like us back in the days, being trained so hard!"

Within the 2 yrs only shooting in the idol drama [wish to see you again], Ken Chu said "Actually I "have no worries about food and clothes", normally I don't spend that much money, towards filming I don't have that big an interest. Picking up this drama is all because of the producer Wang Xin Gui and the Director Ju You Ning invited him".

Jiro doesn't mind falling, only wants to fall gracefully
Ken meets head on the 2 members of Fahrenheit, with no smell of smoke but laughing fiercely at Jiro, He said the recording technicians revealed that even in the dim recording studio Jiro would still wear sunglasses, making him think he's very interesting. Ken while taking on the responsibility of becoming the Police academy's wrestling team's teaching assistant, has recently also helped in the shoot for the wrestling teaching material. Will he in the drama show us his skill and take Jiro as an opponent? Ken retains his smile and says "Maybe!" , Jiro quickly replied "please, teaching me to fall gracefully is enough!".

*Didn't realised that Gabe was also in this drama. With this news article, it seems that Ken and VanNess have accepted their roles.

20090524 - VanNess Wu @「Only」Release Event -JAPAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uLLrF9iC-4&feature=related

20090527 - VanNess Wu@Cartier Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_2jD10lvO4&feature=related
Uploaded by VSWATOneLove



2008/05/28 VanNess Cartier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyK9aitXdU&feature=related
Uploaded by Vannayu

[ Last edited by  JessicaC at 2009-5-31 09:28 PM ]

Vanness Wu too tired to smile, Thursday June 11, 2009 Taiwan

Source: http://www.divaasia.com/



American-born Taiwanese star Vanness Wu is getting serious, and fans will just have to deal with it.
The 30-year-old, who shot to fame as one of the members of F4, addresses fan criticism that on his last trip to Singapore in March, he had 'a grumpy face the whole trip'.

The singer, in town last Friday to grace the opening of lingerie shop Rondavous at Far East Plaza, explains: 'I was tired. Fans have to realise I'm not a kid any more and can't smile all the time.'

Given his busy schedule, it is no wonder the bachelor is claiming fatigue. Besides a thriving film career, the singer released his first Japanese-language single, Only, last month.

He says: 'I've been a fan of Japanese culture since I was young and it has been a big influence in my life. I always thought it would be cool to perform in Japan.'

While he is not fluent in the language, he had grown up listening to Japanese songs, and that helped him pick up the intonations. Currently he is working on more songs for his Japanese album.

He is also hard at work on a new Chinese album to be released in September.

The singer, who is a devout Christian, also finds time in his schedule for spiritual pursuits. He was in town for a Christian conference and stayed with Singaporean friends Race Wong, 26, and Rosanne Wong, 29, of Cantopop music duo 2R.

In return for the sisters' hospitality, he officiated at the opening of Rondavous Lingerie Boutique, a new project by 2R and their younger sister, Rhonda.

Jerry Yan Hit FM promo

posted by yami@jerrys harbor
source: http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/9/6/12/n2556319.htm

Whoever wins the bid gets to spend 1 hour with Jerry at the recording studio.

Jerry said he wants to show a YCX that loves singing. thru his songs, he can express his feelings & some of the songs in his album reflects what he had gone thru. re promo activities of only 3 days, Jerry said its realli hard to squeeze out the time as he's busy filming "Just". just b4 the Hitfm event, he has been filming for 20plus hours non-stop.

A reporter asked whether F3 has congratulated him & Jerry answered "err, have you donated money already?". the reporters all laughed & said why talk abt money. Jerry said Vanness has sms him. Jerry was asked that he's now busy with album, filming drama serial & charity activities, is the pressure very great? Jerry said yes & the long hours of work plus few hours of sleep is realli affecting his skin badly .

Jerry was then asked abt Ms Lin & Ella. when asked abt not getting on with Ella, Jerry kind of look puzzled & said working with Ella, its impossible not to be happy. & that Ella is the kind of girl that a lot of guys will like. for instance, sometimes at filming, he said he's so tired until he can hardly smile & he's almost falling asleep & Ella will be there making everyone feels happy.