Tuesday's Taiwanese Superstar: Kimberley Chen

Whoa, I haven't done a TTS in about two years so let's see how this goes~ Haha.

Chinese Name: 陳芳語
English: Kimberley Chen
Birthday: May 23, 1994
Age: 18
Birthplace: Melbourne Australia
What She Does: Singer/Dancer

Background Info: Kimberley released her debut earlier this year (April 27, 2012) but her musical career has spanned for much longer than that.

Kimberley has been coached by many impressive people including her father, Maestro Vladamir Vais, Gordon Chambers, etc. She has been singing publicly since she was 4 and at the age of 11 she played the role of Young Nala in the Melbourne production of the Lion King and at 13 she also sang the National Anthem at the Australian Football League NAB Cup. She then moved to New York to study. In 2010, she also competed on the Taiwanese Singing Show and gained much Taiwanese recognition there. With her debut album, she released the song " 愛你 (Ai Ni)" [Love You] this April which has over 6 million hits which is one of the two songs of hers that are featured in the drama Fondant Garden.

I love this music video because it is sad/cute and the song is adorable. I also like how Xiao Jie from JPM is in here. Haha.



Other Songs You Should Check Out By Kimberley:

Star Trek (ft. Ailing Tai)
Satellite
Never Change

Wdebo :)

Ken Zhu (F4)

The last part of the F4 cycle...enjoy!~

Chinese Name: 朱孝天

English Name: Ken Zhu (Chu)

Birthday: January 15, 1979

Age: 31

Birthplace: Taiwan

What he does: Actor, Singer, Composer, and Author (Cook)

Instrument(s): Guitar

TDramas: Momo Love [Click HERE for review], Meteor Garden (!!), Love Storm, etc.

Background Info: Even though Ken was born in Taiwan, he was educated in Singapore so he knows how to speak, not only Mandarin, but also Cantanese and English. His showbiz life began as he was an assistant to a few stars, then he acted in a few dramas, and then he was cast in the drama, Meteor Garden! Which basically made him very famous (F4!!) After F4 disbanded he released a soloalbum and also a cookbook called Delicious Relations. Ken is also very talented in tai ji...and he has won two boxing medals in tai ji. In 2007 he stared in the Philipines movie Batanes: Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.

Ken is also engaged...but I don't have a lot of info about it...does anyone have anymore info on it?

Here is a picture of him and his fiance, Kelly Lin...

Now for music ^^ This is my favorite song by him, it's called Here We Are...he has a very nice voice! (Sorry no english subs :( )

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Vic Chou (F4)

Sorry for the very late continuation of the F4 cycle...

Chinese Name: 周渝民

English Name: Vic Chou/Zhou

Nickname: Zai Zai (仔仔)

Birthday: June 9, 1981

Age: 29

Birthplace: Taiwan
What he does: Actor, singer, model

TDramas: Silence, Black & White, Mars, Meteor Garden (I/II/Meteor Rain), and more.

Background Info: Vic was first discovered when he accompanied his friend to the Meteor Garden audition. While waiting for his friend, one of the staff thought he looked like Hua Ze Lei and he was asked to audition, he later got the part and played Lei next to his future girlfriend, Barbie Hsu.

Because of Meteor Garden, Vic was part of...bingo...F4. He was also the very first F4 to release his own solo album. He has two solo songs in F4's album Waiting Here For You.

Now onto songs...

This song is called Let Me Love You (讓我愛你) it is a duet between him and Barbie...for their drama Mars.

And just for fun, here is a cute commercial of Vic and Cyndi Wang (Smiling Pasta).



And here is the song, Familiar Gentleness (English Subbed!) that was apart of the drama Silence.



Hope you enjoy!

Wdebo :)

Jerry Yan (F4)

A continuation of the F4 Cycle...enjoy!

Chinese Name: 言承旭 (Yan Cheng Xu)

English Name: Jerry Yan

Birthday: January 1, 1977

Age: 33

Birthplace: Taiwan

What He Does: Actor and Singer

TDramas: Meteor Garden (!!), Down With Love [Click HERE for review] and Hot Shot (!), etc.

Background Info: Jerry Yan is most famous, apart from being an F4 member, but also for his portrayl of Dao Ming Si in Meteor Garden, I mean, come on, it's a total classic! Recently he just finished his wonder drama, Down With Love (Which is total love!), and he and Ella are just perfect (AHH but I'm a Chun-Ella fan too, so this is a conundrum, which do I pick?). Jerry encourages all of his fans to do charity works, like him, he has a different for every one of his birthdays. His just realesed his new album, "Extra Freedom" and his Japanese Version also topped charts.

Now onto music...

Jerry's lovely song from the theme of DWL..Just Want to Depend on You [Eng Sub]



Another song, 在KTV說愛妳 (Saying Love You In the KTV)...very good song [English Subbed]



Hope you enjoyed!

Wdebo :)

Vanness Wu (F4)

F4 is one of the most popular boy bands in Taiwan (Fahrenheit lovers would say otherwise). They evolved from Meteor Garden (!!), which is one of the first, and also one of my favs. So I have decided to dedicate the next four weeks in spotlighting each of the F4 members.

This week we have Vanness Wu (Drool) enjoy!

Chinese Name: 吴建豪 (Wu Jian Hao)
English Name: Vanness (Van Ness) Wu
Birthday: August 7, 1978
Age: 31
Birthplace: Santa Monica, Los Angelos, California, USA (ABC!!!!!!!!!!!)
What he does: Singer, actor, dancer, model, songwriter, spokesperson
Television Shows: Meteor Garden (!), Peach Girl, Say Yes Enterprise,
Wish to See You Again, AUTUMN'S CONCERTO!, Year of the Rain

Background Info: As can be seen Vanness was born in America, therefore making him an awesome ABC :) Vanness worked as a telemarketer before he moved to Taiwan. Not only is he very hot, but he is also very talented (Not many people like that anymore). He was in 3 albums with F4 before they, sadly, disbanded. Apart from that he has released three solo albums, and also has three Japanese singles and one Japanese album out. Not only has he sung with his fellow F4 members he has also sung with Korean singer Kangta and they produced one album Scandal, and he also sang with Beyonce (!) and Coco Lee (!!). He also has his own jewlry line out and also co-founded an entertainment Company, and has a lot of other projects he is dabbling in. Can you say amazing?

Another one of things Vanness is famous for is his bod...I'm sure he had like ten shower scenes in Autumn's Concerto (Probobly boosted the ratings lol jk...it's was very good even without those scenes)

See...evidence below...

Vanness raps a lot, and his rapping is good, I actually like listening to him rap...I just love it more when he sings. He actually has a good singing voice very nice, soothing and drool worthy...he sounds lovely singing high...Hopefully Vanness will sing more in the future :) And in Chinese too!

So, now onto the songs...

The first one is Listen to Your Heart (ENGLISH SUBBED)...Love this song!! Not a big fan of the MV (But he is a good dancer), so click HERE to listen to it ENGLISH SUBBED, not the acutal mv version.



Vanness singing Japanese, Reason (English Subbed)!



If you still would like more Vanness vids and stuff...remember to YouTube him :)

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

A-Mei

O.M.G. I can't believe it has taken me so long to spotlight A-Mei. She was the very first idol I have ever known (My parents introduced her to me when I was five or so, and I have loved her music ever since!)

She has a wonderfully gorgeous voice, and I hope everone can listen to her music!

Chinese Name: 張惠妹 (Zhang Hui Mei)
English Name: A-Mei
Birthday: August 9, 1972
Age: 37
Birthplace: Taitung, Taiwan
Instruments: Vocals, drums, and guitar
What she does: Singer

Background Info: Because A-Mei is a Taiwanese Aboriginese, she was exposed to tribal music at a young age. (It seems there are so many Taiwanese Aborigonese singers now...but they all have amazing voices ^_^)

One of her most famous songs, that was one of the first songs I ever listened to her is called 姊妹 (Jie Mei) (Sisters), it was the title song of her very first album. My family + friends sing it everytime we go karaokeing! Such a classic!

Now, for some music to enjoy!

The first song, Can I hug you?, is also another classic by her...such a simple and beautiful song! (English Translation on bottom!)

Subs By: caruthersm

It's raining outside,
seems just like my bleeding heart,
Loving you for that long
was actually not that easy.

When it comes to separating our things,
tomorrow it won't even matter.
The clothes left at home;
when you have the time, take them back.

Don't think that love always ends happily,
I'm not willing to constantly find excuses.
I won't force you to do this for me.
Your heart is not here; it still hurts whether or not you stay.

Can I hug you, lover?
Let me cry on your shoulder.
If today we were to break up,
let me happily cry out loud.

Can I hug you, darling?
Let me call you this for one last time.
You are also unhappy.
I will leave, smiling.

Next song, I want Happiness?, another beautiful song by her...enjoy!

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

F.I.R

Chinese Name: 飛兒樂團 (Fei er tuan yuan)
English Name: F.I.R
Members: Faye Chan (middle), Ian Chen (left), Real Huang (Right)
Years Active: 2004-Present

Faye=Vocals, I absolutely adore her voice! She can do intense all the way to cutesy.
Ian=Guitar/Keyboards. Formed the band.
Real=Guitar/Vocals. Love his voice!!

Faye and Real are currently engaged.

Even though I have only listened to a little bit of their songs, I still really like them and really do like their style.

Onto the songs...

This is their song Lydia (English Subbed), which is one of their most famous songs. From the drama The Outsiders.



Other song, Three Wishes (English Subbed)

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Leehom Wang (王力宏)

So, I spotlighted one of his MVs Kiss Goodbye, a while ago [Click HERE to see it] and I wrote a bunch of info on him, but here is the info again (and some more) on a TTS! Enjoy~

Chinese Name: 王力宏 (Wang Lee Hong)
English Name: Alexander Wang
Birthday: May 17, 1976
Age: 33
Birthplace: Rochester, New York, USA
Instruments: Violin, piano, drums, guitar, bass/electric guitar, erhu, vibraphone, harmonica, chinese flutes, etc.
What he does: Singer-Songwriter, Actor, Music Arranger, Commercial Model

Background Info: As you can probobly tell Leehom is an American Born Chinese (Yes! ABC powrrr). I remember listing all of Leehom's credentials to one of my friends one day and the first thing she said was "Wow, he's superman." And that basically sums it up.

Not only do you count the above info, but he also got a PERFECT SAT score. (There's even a Facebook group called "LeeHom is the Most Perfect Azn Specimen"-Pretty accurate). He was accepted into Yale and Princeton, but he decided to go to Williams (A top notch liberal arts college) with honors.

Anyways...some Leehom music for all to enjoy...

Kiss Goodbye (English Subbed)



And his awesome rapping song....Beside the Plum Blossoms (He raps so fast in this one part!!) English subbed!

Hope you enjoy! And Please comment!

Wdebo :)

Sodagreen~

Ok, I can't believe it has taken me so long to find Sodagreen, but I am so happy that I did. This is officially one of my favorite bands...Qing Feng's voice is just so unique but very light and soothing, love it and the whole band is just adorable....they have the cutest personality every, especially Qing Feng!

A little Wiki info first....
Chinese Band Name: 蘇打綠
English Name: Sodagreen
Band Members:
Qing Feng (Voacalist/Songwriter)
Jiang Kai Liou (Electrical Guitar)
Jing-Yang Ho (Ah Fu) (acoustic guitar)
Yu-Chi Gong (Zephyr) (keyboard, viola, dance)
Shin-Yi Shie (Claire) (bass)
Jyun-Wei Shih (Wei) (drums, percussion, songwriting)

When I first listened to Sodagreen (First song was 小情歌 [Little Love Song]) I was taken aback by Qing Feng high voice, but after a bit I got used to it and was just in love with it. This whole band is very amazing and just way talented...Qing Feng's lyrics are simple yet hold a very deep meaning to them and are just well...awesomeness.

So, some songs....

First song is one of my favs...Incomparable Beauty, I am just in love with the first couple of lines, Qing Feng's voice is amazing. English Subbed!

Not subbed by me, subbed by view3045~



Also this song called Behind You, English subbed!

Also subbed by same person~



But my fav song is Little Love Song...which I can't embedd but you can find the english subbed version HERE, this is like one of my fav songs in the whole entire world!!

And for those that understand Chinese, here are clips of Qing Feng just being adorable....

Well, hope you guys enjoy and support the awesome Sodagreen!

Wdebo :)

Kahlil Fong (方大同)

Ok, it has seriously been AGES since my last TTS post...so here I am...with another ABC (American Born Chinese) to share with you all..woohoo!![I just had to add this picture...just because it looks cool :) ]

So, first a little info on Kahlil.

Born in: Hawaii...Moved to Shanghai when he was 6

He Speaks: English, Mandarin, Shanghainesse, Hawaiian Pidgen English, and Cantonesse
Born: July 14, 1983 (Age 26)

The thing I like most about Kahlil, is he doesn't just go with the whole "look" of Taiwanese idols...he has so much talent he doesn't need that, not like a lot of the Taiwanese idols...who only have their looks and not an ounce of talent in them.

Anyways...onto the music....

Kahlil has SUCH a soulful voice...it's AMAZING!!

Here's his cover of Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You By: George Benson (It's in English!)..and it doens't hurt that it's a simple song...and fun to sing to :D The MV is pretty ugh...but the song is awesome.

And 紅豆 (Red Bean)-Very nice song by him

Hope you enjoy! And support Kahlil! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Xiao Gui (Huang Hong Sheng) Part 2

So, I did XG before. But since his EP (Mini album) came out on the 17th of July, I want to show his singing voice out to everyone :)

His EP consists of three songs and two instrumentals. The first song is Gui Da Qiang (Ghost Hit The Wall), the second song is Bu Xie (Don't Care), and the last song is Gui Hun (Fooling Around) which was already out before, in his book. Hope you can enjoy! I do love his songs...his voice is very unique but sounds great...he just needs to polish it more!! :D

I can't believe he doesn't have an MV for ANY of his songs...grr (Well except for The Melody of Love ft. Genie) I WANT TO SING HIS SONGS IN KTV!!!!!!!!!!

Gui Da Qiang




Bu Xie





Gui Hun

For Chinese speaking fans visit his blog HERE.

Please comment and support XG!! :)

Wdebo :)

Alex Nese Ni (倪子岡)

So, if you have watched Hot Shots before then you have prob heard the awesome songs Superman and U Got Me, which have been sung by Nese.

So, I can't find any info on him, other then he is an ABC [I believe]. And I can't post his pic up either!!

Well, here's his songs...

Superman




U Got Me (English Version)

Hope you guys enjoy and please comment!!

Wdebo :)

Ding Dang (丁噹)

When Ding Dang was 18 she left home in search of oppurtunities to sing. She found that oppurtunity in Beijing's Rolling Stone Record, it only took them 8 seconds to sign her in! But because Rolling Stones was reconstructing, so it took her several years to release an album.

Ding Dang named herself this name because she has a love for Doraemon [An AWESOME kid's animae about a robotic braniac cat, who's chinese name is Xiao Ding Dang].

Her info:

Real Name: 吳嫻 (Wu Xian)

English Name(s): Ring/Della

Birthday: April 17, 1983

Birthplace: Zhejiang Province (In the Jiashan County), China

Here are some songs by her....

可以不可以 (Can Cannot )..This is one of my fav songs by her and I think it Genie has a version too.

The mv is sad...The girl is really rich and she loves the guy (Monster from Mayday). Then her dad, says that since he loves her, he has to send her out of the country to study, and gives him money as "compensation," and tells Monster if they are fated they will meet again. The girl comes and looks for him they are in his room and then she goes away. When she comes back, she calls him, he's on his motorcycle, then he suddenly gets hit by a car and dies. Why did it have to end so suddenly??!!!




猜不透 (Can't figure it out)- It has 瑪莎 from Mayday

The MV is sad also, but I have zilch idea what it is saying.




走火入魔 (It means something like Going Crazy and like not being able to figure out reality from fantasy, but as Google Translate likes to call it and I quote "Getting Possessed By the Devil" )

This is a duet with Ah Shin from Mayday [Yes, as you prob figured out now D.D. is Mayday's "Shi Mei" - In eng litteraly means"song little sis"]-And may I say Ah Shin looks absolutely cute in it!! This is such a sweet song/MV

Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!! As usual, please suggest ppl, I'm running out of idols to put up!!

Wdebo :)

Choc 7 (超克7)

Choc 7 (超克7) is the band from the Channel V show Mo Fang Bang Bang Tang (In english: Immitating Lollipop).

The members include 李铨, Mao Di (Prince's little bro), Xiao Ma, Ah Ben, Ye Shou, 小禄, Wei Yu, 翰奖 and Ya Gao.


They are your typical taiwanese boy band ok voices, the only reason they are famous is for their looks, but I guess there is this aura around them.



Here is a song by them... What Are you Waiting For?




Another one...Too Young (This is such a cute song!)

Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!

Wdebo :)

Soler

Soler is a HK duo but are still popular in Taiwan. As seen from them being on Yu Le Bai Fen Bai!

Soler is comprised of two twin brothers- Dino Acconci (guitar/vocals) and Julio Acconi (Lead vocals). They debuted in 2005 and write their own songs and are acclaimed for their live performances.

The brothers were born in Macau to an Italian father and a Karen mother. They learned Chinese at a local Chinese school and later went to live in Italy.

Both of them can speak 7 languages!!

They sing mostly in Canto so I have no idea what they are singing but they still sound REALLY good :D

Here is a coolio song by them... Lost (Plus eng sub)

Also, Tsunami (Eng sub)

Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment especially if you loved them!

Wdebo :)

青鳥飛魚 (Blue Bird Flying Fish)

Oh wow, I haven't done a TTS in forever... ah I feel so bad!! Anyways, so this duo is a new duo that came out in like April. I discovered them on Yu Le Bai Fen Bai (Host Xiao Zhu and Xiao Gui) they were so cute and funny check it out...!

(The are the ones in the panda suits)

I really don't know if there is any info on them, cuz I can't find any since they're new. So yeah, this is going to be a totally short post...

Here's my fav and only song I've heard by them...

Guai Guai Nu (Strange Girl)...It's sweet and funny :D The mv is i n t e r e s t i n g

So, yeah, please support them! And please comment!!

Wdebo :)

Jay Chou

Yeah!! Welcome to another amazing episode of...Tuesday's Taiwanese Superstar (insert heart here)!

So, this week I have decided to do it on Jay Chou. The amazing star and director of Secret and he also has a new movie out (Don't know what it's called but my friend was obsessivly watching it in Chinese School) about kung-fu and basketball.

Here's some info from Wiki...

Name: 周杰倫 / Zhou Jie Lun

Eng Name: Jay Chou

Profession: Singer, songwriter, actor

Knows how to play: Piano, violin, cello, guitar, drum, guzheng (A chinese instrument that you pluck strings like a layed down harp), erhu (a two stringed chinese violin, like a small lap cello), harmonica

So here's one of my fav song by him...Fearless (Eng Subbed)

Also, if you have a chance do check out the movie (Fearless with JET LI-ok so it has Jet Li so it IS AMAZING!)

This is another great song (sad and sweet mv) by him I'm not Worthy (Eng subbed)

If you want more mvs by him just search on Youtube "Jay Chou eng sub"

Hope you enjoy it!! And remember to comment esp if you loved it!

Wdebo :)

Van Fan

So, this week's TTS is also the star of my MOST FAVORITE TAIWANESE MOVIE. It was just adorable heartwarming, sweet, sad, romantic, funny, amazing..etc etc ! <3>

His looks have changed quite a bit...

From this....

To this...

To this...

That is QUITE a big jump from number 1 to number 3.

Anywho, Cape No 7 (The movie that made him a star) is amazing and so sweet!! And I will tell a little bit here because I just want EVERYONE to watch this movie!!

Summary (From Wiki): In the 1940s near the end of the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, an unnamed teacher (Kousuke Atari) dispatched to the southernmost town of Hengchun falls in love with a local girl with the Japanese name Kojima Tomoko (Rachel Liang). After the Surrender of Japan, the teacher is forced to return home as the Chinese occupation of Taiwan resumed. On his trip home, he pens seven love letters to express his regret for leaving Kojima Tomoko, who originally planned to elope with him in Japan.

More than 60 years after the teacher left Kojima Tomoko, Aga (Van Fan) is introduced as a struggling young Hengchun-native rock band singer who could not find success in Taipei. After returning to his hometown, Aga's step father (Ju-Lung Ma), the Town Council Representative, arranged a position for him as a postman, replacing the aging Old Mao -Best character ever!-(Johnny C.J. Lin), on leave after a motorcycle accident broke his leg. One day, Aga comes across an undeliverable piece of mail that was supposed to be returned to the sender; the daughter of the now deceased Japanese teacher has decided to mail the unsent love letters to Taiwan after discovering them. Aga unlawfully keeps and opens the package to discover its contents, but the old Japanese-style address Cape No. 7, Hengchun County, Takao Prefecture can no longer be found.

Meantime a local resort hotel inside Kenting National Park is organizing a beach concert featuring Japanese pop singer Kousuke Atari, but Aga's step father makes use of his official position to insist that the opening band be composed of locals. Tomoko (Chie Tanaka), an over-the-hill Mandarin-speaking Japanese fashion model dispatched to Hengchun, is assigned the difficult task of managing this hastily assembled band, led by Aga along with six other locals of rather particular backgrounds. After a frustrating trial period, Aga and Tomoko unexpectedly begin a relationship. With some assistance from hotel maid Mingchu (Shino Lin), who is revealed to be Kojima Tomoko's granddaughter, Tomoko helps Aga find the rightful recipient of the seven love letters. Tomoko then tells Aga that she plans on returning to Japan after the concert because of a job offering. After returning the seven love letters, a heartbroken but determined Aga returns to the beach resort and performs a highly successful concert with his local band alongside Kousuke Atari, during which Tomoko accepts his love.

Oh wow that's long, but it totally sums up the story and it's amazingly sweet! Ohh! They have eng subbed ones you can download. Just email me for it and I'll my friend where she got her's and I can send you the link!!

So here's the trailer...

Hope you enjoy the movie!!

Oh yeah! Van's song... (eng subbed!)

Hope you enjoy!! And support Van!! And COMMENT!! :D

Wdebo :)

Ariel Lin

Ariel is a really talented taiwanese idol who started out as a model and is now making amazingly funny and heartwarming dramas and songs!!

She was in Love or Bread with Joe Cheng and ISWAK also with Joe and Jiro (From Fahrenheit).

She is an amazing actor because she can cry on cue and it's not one of those fake/laugh-like sobs it is a big giant cry out.

Here is some info from DramaWiki:

Name: 林依晨 (Lin Yi Chen)
English Name: Ariel Lin
Profession: Actress and singer
Chinese Zodiac: Dog

This is a song I like by her...

The Taste of Bread (Ending song for Love or Bread)-Not the MV, just a collection of clips from the show.

Hope you enjoy! And remember to comment!

Wdebo :)

Jolin Tsai

Jolin is a really talented actress, singer and dancer. She is considered the "Taiwanese Britney Spears" (Let's just hope you doesn't shave her head huh?)

Some info from DramaWiki:

Name: Cai Yi Lin (蔡依林)
English Name: Jolin Tsai

Here are songs by her...

So here's one of her newer songs (eng subbed-I'm srry the mv is REALLY weird, if you feel awkward watching it, multiply it by 100 and that was how I felt watching it in Chinese school with my parents behind me and my friend's and there parent's there also) it's called Agent J, but all in all it's really good!



A Wonder in Madrid



Jing Tian Ni Yao Jia Gei Wo (Today you will marry me) ft. David Tao...eng subbed!



Here's her and Xiao Zhu



Wdebo :)