Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Jackie Chan to Publicize Korean-Wave Theme Park


Gyeonggi Province is to appoint Jackie Chan as a goodwill ambassador for a Korean Wave theme park on Wednesday. Hallyuwood -- a conflation of “hallyu” or Korean wave and Hollywood -- features a variety of tourist facilities such as studios where Korean soap operas and films are made, entertainment facilities, museum, shops, Korean cooking classes and restaurants. The park is going up on a 990,000 sq.m site and is to be completed by 2012.

“We thought Chan is a perfect fit for this position to publicize Korean culture to the world, as he has a deep interest in Korean culture and is on intimate terms with many Korean stars,” an official with the Gyeonggi provincial government said.

The martial arts comedian will be present at the Hallyuwood ground-breaking ceremony in Janghang-dong, Goyang City on Thursday, joining Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon and many other Korean celebrities.

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Jackie-Chan-to-Publicize-Korean-Wave-Theme-Park-talk545380.html

Jet Li Shanghai Charity Race - Bowie Lam, Michelle Ye, Ruby Lin, Lee San San, etc participates




Jet Li Shanghai Charity Race

Jet Li’s The One Foundation C1 Celebrity Charity Race was held at the famous Shanghai International Race Circuit on May 25th, 2008. Jet signalled the start of the race, participated by Michelle Yip, Sun Nan, Wu Jing, Stanley Tong, Wu Jia Le, Bowie Lam, Chen Juan Hong, Zeng Li, Lee San San while Ruby Lin and Wang Zhi Wen turned up as cheerleaders.

Due to both hiccups and accidents, there were only a few left by the end of the six-lap race. On the first few laps, cars driven by Stanley Tong, Wu Jing, Michelle Yip crashed, collided, broke down, or suffered from flat tires. The champion male and female racers were Wu Jia Le and Chen Juan Hong. However, to the participants, it was not about winning, everyone was just concerned about doing their part for charity.

The 700 thousand yuan raised for the day will be contributed towards the China earthquake relief.

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Jet-Li-Shanghai-Charity-Race-Bowie-Lam-Michelle-Ye-Ruby-Lin-Lee-San-San-etc-participates-talk545366.html

Carrying a torch


HOMEGROWN star JJ Lin will do Singapore proud on National Day eve.

He is reportedly the only Singaporean selected to carry the Olympic torch during the final Beijing leg of the ongoing torch relay. This will kick off the opening ceremony of the Games in China's capital city on 8 Aug. Five other representatives from Singapore, including SingTel CEO Allen Lew, are expected to be involved in earlier legs around China.

JJ, 27, was picked to do the Beijing relay by Olympics sponsor Samsung Electronics. He is a Samsung spokesman here. When asked, the singer-songwriter told The New Paper over the phone yesterday that he feels the pressure to perform during his 400m-run along Chang An Road.

'Of course I feel it (the pressure). It's the first time I'm involved in the Olympics and it's such a mega event, so I must really do my best.

'But whatever happens on the day itself is not something within my own control. I just hope I won't kick any stones.

'And I can't faint halfway through the run. It would be so embarrassing, especially when I'm representing Singapore.'

Earlier, talk had it that JJ turned down singing this year's National Day Song because of the Olympics commitment. But he feels he is now flying the Singapore flag at a higher level.

'This is even more meaningful to me because I'm representing Singapore on the international arena - that's my mission this year. And I'll be telling people (on 8 Aug) that we would be celebrating Singapore's birthday the day after.'

JJ's involvement in the Olympics is not limited to the relay. He said he has also composed a new torch-relay song for Samsung, and his mentor Billy Koh is in the midst of writing the lyrics. The song will be released next month, together with Samsung's new advertising campaign.

JJ said: 'It's a very grand song, but it has a simple melody and is easy to remember. There are already so many Olympic songs being churned out, and I decided to focus on torch-bearing because it's more personal.'

There are hundreds of songs that claim to be written specially for the Olympics, and so many singers vying to get their voices heard, be it for glory or honour.

WHICH SONG?

As of now, it remains a secret which singers will get to perform during the Games' opening ceremony, or which is the official theme song. You could hedge your bets on one of the 24 songs featured in the official Beijing Olympics album, released by Sony BMG in China and Hong Kong.

Solo tunes include Andy Lau's self-penned Everyone Is No 1, Jay Chou's own Qian Shan Wan Shui (literally Thousand Mountains Million Waters) and Wang Lee Hom's One World One Dream. There are also duets and group efforts, such as the Olympics countdown song Welcome To Beijing, which is performed by 100 singers including JJ and fellow Singaporean Stefanie Sun.

Stefanie, 30, is also credited with singing two other songs in the album - Stand Up (with Lee Hom, Jackie Chan and Han Hong) and Light Up Passion, Pass On Dreams (with Lee Hom, Wang Feng and Zhang Liangyin). The petite singer recently performed alongside Jackie, Lee Hom, Wakin Chau and Karen Mok at an Olympics countdown concert held in Hainan island earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Singapore's other Sun - Sun Ho - reportedly recorded an Olympics song together with Chinese singer Sun Nan, entitled The Light. It is the brainchild of famed Hollywood songwriters David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager. Sun, 37, told The New Paper she had performed the Mandarin version of the original Greek-language Olympics anthem during a ceremony held in Beijing in February.

But not every singer is 'welcomed' by the Beijing Olympics council, and there have been several controversies surrounding who gets to sing what.

American-born Coco Lee, for one, was unveiled last November as the voice behind the Olympics song Forever Friends, together with Sun Nan. They recorded the English version, and shot a two-million-yuan ($392,000) music video showcasing the Great Wall of China. Coco was also supposed to do the Mandarin version, but Taiwan's A-mei has reportedly replaced her because she was deemed unco-operative.

The Taiwanese media reported that Coco's managers made several diva-esque demands, such as how she could not work more than 48 hours in Beijing and must be allowed to fly to Hong Kong to rest. In the end, the Olympics council decided to rope in A-mei to record the Mandarin version. A-mei's version is also the one included in the official Olympics album.

SNUBBED

Another snubbed singer is Hong Kong's Joey Yung, who had earlier recorded the Olympics song Together on the Blue Planet with Nicholas Tse. While this song is still included in the Olympics album and she took part in various Olympics-related events, Joey was not picked as a torch-bearer for the Hong Kong leg of the Olympic torch relay earlier this month. Instead, it was singers such as Andy Lau, Eason Chan and Jackie Cheung who did the honours.

Even in as far as South Korea, there was some controversy over K-popster Rain singing for the Olympics. When news first got out early this year, netizens in China questioned if it was appropriate for a South Korean singer to be involved. Later, it was clarified that Rain would only be crooning Samsung Electronics' own Olympic theme song.

Rain's fellow countryman Jang Nara's Olympic contribution was more well-received. Nara, who is mostly based in China, was selected as a flame-bearer during the South Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay last month. She also recorded her own dedication to the Olympics, entitled Our Dream, together with famed Chinese tenor Liao Changyong.

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Carrying-a-torch-talk545358.html

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sammi, Andy Lau, Andy Hui and other EA singers recorded new song for China earthquake relief effort


Sammi, Andy Lau, Andy Hui and other EA singers recorded new song for China earthquake relief effort

Sammi, Andy Lau, Andy Hui and other singers in East Asia recorded a new song <朋友忘不了你出現那一天> (rough translation: Friend, Cannot Forget The Day You Appear) yesterday for the relief effort in China. Andy Lau wrote the song which talks about the front line heroes. Sammi who will be flying off to Sichuan on 28th said that she did not think about her safety, instead is more concern about the rebuilding progress there. Before going off, she will prepare herself mentally so that she will give the victims a warm smile.

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Sammi-Andy-Lau-Andy-Hui-and-other-EA-singers-recorded-new-song-for-China-earthquake-relief-effort-talk545011.html

Park Jin-young and Jackie Chan team up for Sichuan project

Kpop's super-producer Park Jin-young (JYP) and Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan, along with director Kang Je-kyu, are set to compose/produce a We Are the World-like song to raise funds for relief efforts in Sichuan, China.

The project, which is dubbed Asia Is One, We Love Asia, will be produced by Kang (director of Taegukgi and Shiri) at the request of Chan.

Singer/composer/ producer JYP is the music producer. It is reported that JYP has finished composing the song for the project.

JYP Entertainment said: "Chan proposed a project that would show the unity of Asia. We have agreed to work on a song that will raise spirits during the difficult time in Asia, following the earthquake damage in Sichuan, China."

othing has been confirmed yet, but it is said that top Korean artistes and actors will be given the honour of singing the tune...hey, what about the rest of Asia? Can I croak in the background or something? Or play the triangle...how about the castanets? :-P

The song will be recorded when Chan visits Korea soon.

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Park-Jin-young-and-Jackie-Chan-team-up-for-Sichuan-project-talk544994.html

Peter Ho admitted his secret Love for Da S


Peter Ho admitted his secret Love for Da S

3 years ago, Peter Ho and Da S had collaborated before in "Phantom Lover". Yesterday, Peter Ho revealed that he had his heart for Da S, and it was a pity that she had a boyfriend that time and therefore it was not right for him to pursue his feelings.

Peter Ho wants to work with Da S

When asked who among the female stars would he want to work with, he shyly answered Da S. He also said that more than 10 yrs. ago, when he just came back from Canada, he guested in ASOS 100% Ent. and at that time DaXiao S talked very sharp and and his chinese that time wasnt very good and he can't resist the sisters sharp questions on him, but when they worked together 3 years ago, his impression on Da S has changed. He thinks that Da S is very beautiful, smart, and with a great sense of humor, likes to read, and very gentle, he also added that everything on her, including her eyes, her nose, smile, her facial features are all perfect.

Next month, Da S and Peter Ho will attend the Shanghai Film Festival. Peter Ho and Barbie are both single, when asked if he will confess his true feelings to Da S, he said "Lets leave it to fate"

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Peter-Ho-admitted-his-secret-Love-for-Da-S-talk544902.html

Disillusioned Fantasy about Cyndi Wang? Nicholas Teo wanted to play a crazy man

Kuala Lumpur May 25th - "Smiling Prince" Nicholas Teo will focus once again on a Taiwanese idol drama coming middle of June. He laughingly said that he doesn't dare to hope for a chance of collaboration with the "Goddess" in his heart, Vivian Hsu. Nicholas stressed that "admiration and working together" are two different matter and worried of disillusioned fantasy after collaboration. How did he answer whether if there is the case of such experience with "Priestess of Cuteness" Cyndi Wang during "Smiling Pasta"《微笑Pasta》?

Nicholas appeared for Besta E-Dictionary New Product Launch last Saturday and sang 《只因為你》"All Because of You". When accepting an interview, he disclosed that apart from busy preparing for upcoming concert in Singapore, he will involve himself in doing an idol drama in mid-June. Due to the fact that the cast list has not been confirmed, Nicholas expressed that the choice for female lead could not be publicly announced yet. As to whether it is 《微笑Pasta》Sequel,he replied:“That's not it. Before was just news created by the Taiwanese media. Further, the name of female lead reported was fake. ”

When questioned as to which female star he would like to work with, Nicholas expressed he has never thought about it. If he is to mention the female celebrity he admires from the heart, he will choose Vivian Hsu Ruo Xuan first. “There are many beautiful ladies in Taiwan. I admire Vivian Hsu more……But collaborating is a another case. (Worrying fantasy being disillusioned?)Right!So it's better to solely admire and that's it. ”The reporter asked again if there has been a female star who caused him to have “disillusioned”experience. Nicholas hurriedly denied and smilingly said,“Please don't write random stuff!”

The Princely image portrayed in 《微笑Pasta》was absolutely flattering. Nicholas, who has been walking the "goody-two-shoes" route all along, would actually want to play the role of a “crazy man”most!“I want to act those strange,or crazy roles. Before, there was a director looking for me to play a corpse make-up artist but the company rejected that. Actually, I'm okay with that. Only thing is the company has a specific plan and consideration. These more steady roles, might have to wait till I'm 30 or 35 in order to be suitable. To have different attempts at different age. I'm only 26 now so I'll go for idol dramas!”

After the Szechuan earthquake happened, several celebrities are involved in disaster relief and donations activities. Nicholas expressed that he has been doing charity all this while but only that this earthquake occurrence required more urgent help. “My fans took the initiative to start donation movement as well as auctioning my trademark products. The response was warm and I felt touched. I will also donate part of my Singapore concert earnings amounting to S$10,000, hoping it will serve to help the disaster victims.”

source: http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Disillusioned-Fantasy-about-Cyndi-Wang-Nicholas-Teo-wanted-to-play-a-crazy-man-talk544844.html