Wu Chun Only Wants Fine Cuisine for Valentine’s Day

Aug.4.08 Wu


Gorgeous hunk Wu Chun seemed romantic, but when speaking of romantic relationship, he disclosed that he was actually a dumb goose. To him, the biggest use of Valentine’s Day which comes once a year, is that he can openly eat a good meal. For the past years’ Valentine’s Day, there was absolutely nothing new or creative. The exception was many years ago when he, his first girlfriend and several couples booked a hotel room for a party. But even that was only a big group of people playing games, eating and drinking. That event was still memorable to him.

Chinese Valentine’s Day is almost around the corner. Handsome hunk Wu Chun is still currently kept busy with work. One moment he was in Tokyo to participate in the opening ceremony of a movie channel. The next moment he was doing promotion for [Hot Shot]. He was so busy that he had even forgotten to give a birthday present to his [girlfriend] Xiao Zhu which had Xiao Zhu so incensed that he wanted to split up. But it also seemed to provide evidence for Wu Chun’s claim of having an unromantic personality. Actually, Wu Chun had always led a simple lifestyle. In addition, his work schedule was always fully booked since his rise in popularity after entering showbiz. He had always spent his Valentine’s Day working. However, he suggested that if the fans really don’t have a lover, they could always celebrate the day with friends and family. That could still be a lot of fun and be very happy.

Although he was romantically linked with his senior Ella and working partners Angela Zhang and Ah Sa, Wu Chun still avoided questions regarding romantic rumors because he was worried that his fans would be jealous needlessly. But in keeping with the occasion, earlier when he was interviewed by Hit FM, he still reluctantly shared what he did when he partied with his girlfriend and other friends at a hotel room many years ago.

At that time, he and girlfriend, plus a group of friends consisting of another 5 or 6 couples, booked a hotel room and held a party. He still remembered how noisy and crazy it was. Actually, he admitted that he is not a romantic boyfriend. The most he would do for Valentine’s Day is to make a DIY card or buy some flowers as a surprise. But being the food lover that he is, he felt that eating is a pleasure. Therefore the only celebration method that a Valentine’s Day cannot be without is to have a good Valentine’s Day special meal. Even if this year he does not have a girlfriend and he himself is working, he is still determined to find time to reward himself with fine cuisine.

translated by : wyn0602 of CEFC
credits : CEFC and UDN News
original link : http://udn.com/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT/ENT2/4455602.shtml

Wu Chun Taking Medication for Headache

Wu Chun Taking Medication for Headache
Eyes Red and Swollen from Allergy
[2008.08.02 China Times]

Healthy baby Wu Chun had fallen prey to overwork. Currently he was busy with filming the movie [Butterfly Lovers] and promoting the CTV & GTV drama [Hot Shot]. His work schedule was fully booked. Two days ago, he took a painkiller for headache which led to an allergic reaction of the eyes. On August 1, when he attended the function for the electronic game [Wulin Online], his lower right eyelid was still slightly swollen. The hearts of his fans ached seeing him like this.

The electronic gaming company had prepared 100 limited edition game gift packs for distribution during the event. Fans of Wu Chun lined up for the event early in the morning and pushed aside all miyake males. Also the 7 minutes journey of Wu Chun going up to the stage kept being pushed and blocked by the crowd, immobilizing him. It was even necessary to employ security guards to open a path for him, making the event seemed as dangerous as being in a riot.

Earlier Wu Chun and Show Luo bragged that if the rating of [Hot Shot] breaks 10, they will sit in a room and stare at each other in the buff. However yesterday, Wu Chun changed his tune and said: [It is Show that will be in the buff and I just do the looking.] If the rating does break through 10, he will treat everyone to dinner.

translated by : wyn0602 of CEFC
credits : CEFC and babyval22 for the original source

Wu Zun loses appetite upon seeing chicken butt

Aug.6.08

Wu Zun tastes good food, loses appetite upon seeing chicken butt

Wu Zun loves food, no matter where he goes he will be eating, he even have his own ‘Theory of Wu’s Food’. However he also has food that he rejects, when he sees chicken butt, his reaction will be, “Move back 3 steps, thanks but reject”.

Wu Zun who came from Brunei acted as a tour guide previously and brought GTV’s ‘World No. 1” host Xiao Ma (left) to tour his hometown and ate the food at the night market. However when Xiao Ma was happily introducing the barbequed chicken butt sticks Wu Zun ran far away, he said embarrassingly, “I don’t like to eat chicken butt!” Wu Zun said, eating chicken butt will make him think of the ‘butt’ area and it feels weird.

Wu Zun also brought Xiao Ma to visit the presidential suite of Brunei’s proud ‘The Empire Hotel’, as one night of stay cost more than NT 400 thousand the two of them took the chance to lay on the bed, however, Wu Zun said he felt a bit weird when they laid on the bed, “Actually I’m very sensitive, because I sleep alone.” He said, from his impression the only time he slept with others was when he dreamt that he was in a battle when young. He suddenly woke up pretending to be holding a gun and was hitting the wall, so he went to sleep with his father.

Wu Zun revealed, he once stayed a night at ‘The Empire Hotel’ out of admiration, when faced with the shining glamorous interior, he imagined it as his own home.

translated by : jastan87 of CEFC
credits :CEFC and libertytimes
original link : http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/aug/6/today-show7.htm

Chun talks about interesting stuffs during filming

Aug.13.08

Wu Zun talks about interesting stuffs during filming of Romantic Princess

Taiwan drama ‘Romantic Princess’ is currently filming in Hunan TV, Wu Zun and Angela Zhang work together for the first time and acted as a romantic couple that matches very well. They were unable to come to Changsha for promotions hence yesterday Wu Zun and Angela Zhang told the reporters about some interesting stuffs during filming of ‘Romantic Princess’ through email. As for relationship, both said that they are still single, Wu Zun even cleared the rumours of him and 3 of his rumoured girlfriends, and he said that Ella, Ah Sa and Angela Zhang are all good friends.

Princess Angela Zhang

Filming: Had a box under feet to film kissing scenes

Although it’s the first time working with Wu Zun but Angela Zhang praised him for being handsome and gentle, she laughed and said that the filming experience was enjoyable, because “everyone is trying to be funny, everyone is vain”, Angela Zhang is also one of the actors who is trying to be funny: “If the camera is not on me, I’ll do funny faces in front of Wu Zun.” Angela Zhang was a bit embarrassed when speaking about the kissing scenes in the show, “There are many crew people watching it, luckily I have some experience. Actually off screen we are not romantic, not only did it rain during filming, there are also a lot of worms in the surrounding that are interrupting us.” Besides this, Angela Zhang also revealed that as there is a difference between Wu Zun and her height, so everytime when filming for kissing scenes, Wu Zun have to half squat. If not Angela Zhang would have a box under her feet.

Love: Never considered of marriage

As ‘Princess’ Xiao Mai, Angela Zhang had four handsome guys in the show to choose as the marriage partner, in the end Xiao Mai only had eyes for Nan Feng Jin, in reality Angela Zhang said that she likes guys like Wu Zun the most. Angela Zhang said that she had low requirements for love, “the fantasy love in the show will not happen on me, although I also hope to have a romantic relationship.”

Previously there are reports that Angela Zhang had fallen in love and gained a bit of weight, and might get married this year, Angela Zhang denied, “Currently there are no plans for marriage, but this is the plan I have for my future.”

Prince Wu Zun

Filming: Feel happy acting as rich guy

Wu Zun acted as rich young master Nan Feng Jin in ‘Romantic Princess’. He said that he felt very happy. “There are many scenes in the show which I normally will not touch in my normal life, example driving a Ferrari sports car wherever I go, having violin accompaniment when eating etc.” Wu Zun said that the luxurious lifestyle of Nan Feng Jin is not what he wishes for; on contrary he likes simple and happy lifestyle more. Wu Zun said, “My dream future is have a house not is not big but warm, the whole family living together, don’t need to drive Ferrari, sitting taxis is enough.” Previously there are rumours that Wu Zun’s price tripled after finish filming ‘Romantic Princess’, with regards to that Wu Zun replied, “Indeed much higher than before, but shouldn’t have tripled, I don’t know the actual figure, have to ask the manager.”

Love: Rumoured girlfriends are all good friends

Wu Zun was rumoured with Ella, Ah Sa and Angela Zhang, Wu Zun said, “They are all my good friends, Ella have experience in filming, she is my senior, always give me suggestions during filming. Angela Zhang looks quiet but actually she’s funny. Ah Sa is very caring, will analyse with me her stories of filming movies.” As for his dream lover type, Wu Zun said that it will have to depend on feeling, “Be it cute or serious, but the feeling has to be correct.” Wu Zun said that he haven’t found a girlfriend, “Where would I have the time to meet her, even if I met it would be difficult to say it out, I have to consider a lot of things.” Wu Zun admitted that he once met someone he likes but don’t dare to confess and lost the chance to fall in love.

translated by : jastan87 of CEFC
credits : CEFC and sina.com
original article :

Fahrenheit rising!

Wed, September 03 2008


By Lucy-Claire Saunders

You might have thought the boy band era was over. Well clearly, it’s not.
Meet Fahrenheit. After being together for just a few short years, the four-member group from Taiwan has made its mark as Asia’s biggest heartthrob act, selling millions of records and even becoming spokespersons for the island nation.
Having conquered much of Asia, Wu Chun, Jiro Wang, Calvin Chen and Aaron Yan now have their sights set on North America.
Last week, Fahrenheit sent two of its performers to guest star in the tenth anniversary of Sunshine Nation Finale — an annual star search conducted throughout Metro Vancouver by Fairchild Media.
Apparently, two members is all it takes to generate the required amount of hype. Within one hour of going on sale, tickets for last Friday’s concert were completely sold out.
The group’s representative duo, Calvin Chen, who won the Sunshine Nation competition in 2004, and Aaron Yan, easily managed to sell out the Michael J. Fox Centre in Burnaby.
Not bad for a boy group with three out of four of its members aged 28 - virtual geriatrics in today’s youth-obsessed music industry.
No matter. They still attract fans half their age. Fainting, screaming and blowing kisses, Vancouver’s Asian-Canadian teenyboppers scrambled to get a glimpse of the two stars before they pushed their way into the Fairchild studio for a radio interview.
With two albums that continue to top charts, the group has sold millions of copies and continues to sell out concerts across Asia. Their debut, self-titled album, sold 80,000 copies within the first month of its release in 2006.
Chen, who is the latest member to join the group after having been discovered on the Sunshine Nation search in 2004, was earning his Masters in Economics at the University of Victoria when a Taiwan record label asked him to visit their headquarters based on his performance in the talent search.
But his father, Chen explained, did not support his dreams for fame and demanded that he stay in school. Determined to explore the possibility of a singing career, Calvin, 28, secretly hopped on a plane to Taiwan to meet with executives from the record label.
So much for a career in stocks and market shares.
Sitting next to Yan the day before the concert, Chen marveled at how far he has come since winning the competition four years ago. To be able to preform as a Fahrenheit member at the very talent search finale that made him a star seemed unreal, he laughed.
“It feels really good to be back. Vancouver has changed a lot since I was here last, especially Richmond and Robson Street,” he told the Asian Pacific Post, referring to the bustling suburb and Vancouver’s trendiest shopping neighborhood.
As the latest and greatest pop culture export from Taiwan, Fahrenheit has replaced F4 (also a four-boy band) as spokespersons for the country’s tourism industry in a bid to boost the number of tourists visiting Taiwan this year by seven per cent.
“Since F4 has proved quite effective in attracting young people to visit Taiwan, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau is continuing its strategy of using a ‘heartthrob’ band to present a vibrant and dynamic image of Taiwan,” Brian Su, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office press division director in Vancouver told the Asian Pacific Post.
“Fahrenheit will help attract young fans between the age of 18 and 30 to visit Taiwan as part of their fan-club activities. It’s been known that a lot of fans from abroad went to Taiwan to meet with the members of the band. While these fans stayed in Taiwan, a bit of sightseeing or shopping would generate tourism dollars.”
So far, it seems the strategy is working. Taiwan’s tourism increased by $36.6 million in 2007 alone. The number of tourists from Japan and South Korea also increased 15 per cent the same year, added Su.
According to the Tourism Bureau, Fahrenheit will shoot television commercials, appear on special travel episodes of Japanese television programs and hold fan gatherings both at home and abroad.
While Chen and Yan insist that Fahrenheit did not intentionally dethrone F4 as Taiwan’s top boys, the two bands are often compared to each other with whole chat rooms dedicated to debates on who deserves the title as Taiwan’s most talented sweethearts.
Modesty aside, the members of Fahrenheit have been able to market themselves as singers, actors and models. They are extremely popular around Asia for their roles in Taiwanese dramas such as KO One, Romantic Princess, Hana Kimi and Tokyo Juliet.
Their pretty faces have also made them prime targets for a range of products from vanilla chapstick to Hong Kong’s Disney Land.
But they still haven’t learned to write their own songs, Chen admits, which is not unusual for today’s pop stars. Malaysian born songwriter, Chen Xin Yan pens most of their songs as, “he know all four of our personalities so well.”
Each member of the group represents a season and temperature symbolic of his personality. Yan is winter at 41 degrees, Zun is autumn at 59 degrees, Chen is spring at 77 degrees, and Wang is summer at 95 degrees.
It is unclear how they chose those specific temperatures, but Fahrenheit has successfully turned itself into one hot commodity.

Wu Zun ways of buying branded product

Aug.12.08

Wanting to be unique. Wu Zun ways of buying branded product

Wu Zun demonstrates, C.N.C blue straight-cut jeans costing 13,100 dollars, grey checked V-neck high collared sweater costing 12,300 dollars, purple army style shirt costing 9800 dollars, black real leather belt costing 7900 dollars, Nike Dunk High Premium 08 basketball shoes costing 3500 dollars.

Wu Zun was born in a rich family, his father is successful in his business in Brunei, since 17 or 18 years old he already started wearing branded goods, has high knowledge about brands, very suitable for the high-class image he portrayed in the dramas. In reality, he wore simply when he’s off screen, he said, “I like to buy brands that no one knows, don’t see it commonly and very difficult to buy.”

During his high school days, he was influenced by classmates and crazily went for branded goods for one or two years, however Brunei is a simple country and can’t buy there. He saved his pocket money and go to either Hong Kong or Singapore once a year for shopping, spending 60 to 70 thousand every time to wear during the first five days of the lunar new year, “That time I love to buy Moschino, Emporio Armani shirts.” However the crazy love only lasted for one or two years before he shifted his attention to modifying cars and were no longer concerned about clothings brand. His main principle is “Simple, not complicated, have design feel, don’t like to wear repeated clothings.” Now his dressing style is more towards sports style which is similar to his role in CTV, GTV’s ‘Hot Shot’.

His shopping ‘power’ that he accumulated then made him became a rational shopper who don’t follow blindly, he’s just 28 years old but he speaks of his experience like talking about history. He said that he was once attracted to the Bvlgari watch that he is showing this time, “But I abandoned the thought after seeing more and more people buying it.” Talking about C.N.C men’s wear, he said, “I once bought a C.N.C sleeve-buttoned shirt more than 10 years ago, the front button only has half, the look is simple but full of design feel.” He saw before A.P.C online but never buy it online, “I will buy after trying as I’ll know if the cutting if suitable.”

Wu Chun Loves Filial Women

Aug.15.08

Wu Chun, who although had only been in the business for three years but was already popular in both singing and acting, recently also entered the world of movies. His collaboration with Ah Sa Charlene Choi in the Jingle Ma directed movie [Butterfly Lovers] was in keeping with his future plans of developing his career in the three realms of singing, movie and television. It was small wonder that the rumor of Wu Chun being the most popular and most money-making member of Fahrenheit persisted. However Wu Chun worried that the rumors would affect the brother-like relationship for the foursome because previously it had been often rumored that there were conflicts among them. He denied modestly: [We all have similar workloads. We all have acting roles and are busy in our own ways. We got along very well and there is no jealousy. Whenever we get together, we always discuss about the work of each other.] He also denied that Fahrenheit would disband. As for love relationships, Wu Chun admitted frankly that currently, he was not involved in any relationships but if he was to choose a girlfriend, he had some strict conditions. Other than being unpretentious, the most important thing she must possess was a filial heart.

Each time Wu Chun collaborated with an actress would result in romantic rumors, including Ariel Lin in [Tokyo Juliet], Angela Zhang in [Romantic Princess] and Ella from S.H.E in [Hana-Kimi]. There was no exception this time with the movie [Butterfly Lovers]. Although Ah Sa was already attached and her relationship with Ronald Cheng was an open secret, but the romantic rumors still continued. This was certainly evidence of Wu Chun’s irresistible appeal.

Thankful for Instructions from Ah Sa

Although the romantic rumor between Wu Chun and Ah Sa was false, but Wu Chun still praised Ah Sa lavishly: [I am already very approachable. I never expected that Ah Sa was even more approachable than me. Furthermore, the director created numerous opportunities for us to share meals and develop a connection. Therefore, we became familiar very quickly and were very in-tuned with each other when doing our scenes. She is so young yet she had appeared in many movies already. She has more experiences in doing movies than I do, so she often gave advice to a movie newcomer like me. She gave me a lot of "tips" and discussed a lot about the procedures and methods of movie-making in Hong Kong.] He revealed that Ah Sa had once told him some secretive information. Was it regarding Ronald Cheng? He said in a pretending to be serious tone: [No, no, no.] Although there was no intimate scene with Ah Sa in the movie this time, but he had already agreed to collaborate again with the director and Ah Sa. So it would have to be the next movie if one wants to watch them being intimate with each other.

What was the difference between Ah Sa and other actresses that collaborated and were rumored with Wu Chun previously? Wu Chun generously said: [Although Ariel Lin was very refined but we became familiar very quickly and often engaged in conversations. Ella was very tomboyish. She was very direct and forthright, telling it as it is. Perhaps it was because we belong to the same management company, therefore personally I am closest to her. As for Angela, I am not too familiar with her, because she was more reserved, so she appeared to be a bit distant.]

Having a Family by Age 35

Although Wu Chun had been romantically linked with several actresses but they were all rumors only and not a real one among them. He also pointed out that he was currently busy with work and simply did not have the time to develop any relationship. Therefore he drew a blank in terms of such relationships. However, he hoped that he would have a family by the time he is 35. When asked about the type of woman he likes, he said: [She must not be pretentious. Should be natural and can share everything with me. Most important is filial piety. A person who is not filial is an indication of an undesirable nature. (Is it because in fear of the fans’ displeasure, therefore you do not dare to be in a relationship?) No, the fans are very good to me. They knew that I worked hard and so they often urge me to find a girlfriend to take care of me. My company also did not prohibit me from dating. It really is because I am so busy and don’t have the time, that’s all.] Wu Chun frankly admitted that there were both gains and losses since he entered showbiz. What he gained was that he learned a lot in the industry. What he lost was the time to be with family because he was so busy. He said: [I was with my family for less than 30 days a year. Therefore whenever I have any vacation, I would treasure the time that I can be together with them.]

Almost Scarred in Sword-fighting Scene

Speaking of the movie [Butterfly Lovers], there was no lacking of fighting scenes for Wu Chun in the movie. Not one to shirk from danger in the name of self-protection, even though the director had assigned a stuntman for him, he still insisted on doing the scenes personally. He said: [The most unforgettable scene is the one in which I fought for Ah Sa’s corpse in the rain. It took a full seven days to do this scene. Every day, from 6 in the evening to 5 am in the next morning, with our clothes dripping wet. The worst was that the ground was slippery, which brought in a certain level of difficulty in doing the scenes. I kept slipping and had a lot of NG. Even it was hard doing action movies, and almost got scarred in the face while doing sword-fighting scenes, but it was all worth it. It was a very happy collaboration with this cast and crew and our coordination was very good. What I learned was extremely beneficial to me and would help me when I do movies again in the future.] Not only did Wu Chun perform the fighting scenes personally, he even conquered his half-baked Cantonese and personally did the dubbing for the Cantonese version of the movie.

Acting Was Not Just Selling One’s Looks

Previously, [The Lovers] starring Nicky Wu and Charlie Yeung had both good reviews and box office at the time. Would he worry that with the success of the older version, the audience would compare [Butterfly Lovers] with [The Lovers]? With regards to his own performance, would he be confident that he was better than Nicky Wu? Wu Chun said: [I would not compare myself with any one. I would only do my best. I can only say that this movie is very different from [The Lovers]. I am very satisfied with my own performance because there were many breakthroughs for me. It is not just selling looks. Audience nowadays is very smart. They also have very high expectations for the actors. Therefore, going by good looks alone is no longer feasible. In the future, I hope to try different type of roles. That would be more challenging.]

Wu Zun and Charlene Choi meet-up 2 nights in a row

Thursday September 4, 2008 Taiwan



source: chinatimes
translated by: x-WISHFULthinking@asianfanatics.net

Charlene Choi (Ah Sa) and Wu Zun, after finishing filming “Butterfly Lovers”, their relationship has heated up a lot; in the 3 days that Charlene came to Taiwan, she met up with Chun twice. On the 2nd, at about 11pm, after Chun finished his intense singing and dancing training for Fahrenheit’s upcoming concert, he went straight to the restaurant to meet Charlene. The 2 talked and laughed, and together, they even played a joke on the media waiting outside by writing on a cloth, telling everyone to watch “Butterfly Lovers”, fishing for free advertising.

However, this dinner is not a secret meet-up between Charlene and Chun, but actually because their co-worker Harlem invited everyone out to dinner. The very rich Harlem, invited everyone to eat Taiwanese cuisine at his own restaurant. It was past midnight when they all went their separate ways. Chun, who decided to walk home, took over an hour, and even then, he still had not reached home. Hence, he phoned his manager and said to the paparazzi that was following him: “I’m very tired, please don’t follow me anymore, I’m not going to go anywhere la!” After that, he got into a taxi and left.

Chun, because he is so busy preparing for Fahrenheit’s upcoming concert, he will promote for “Virgin” halfway through this month. Charlene accepted an interview from “Men’suno” magazine and in this interview she mentioned that in her eyes, Chun is a guy who lives life to the full. During one scene of the movie, Chun had to take off her shoes and massage her legs as she had an injury. At the time, the whole place was filled with candle-light and the atmosphere was very romantic. Charlene smiled sweetly and said, “When I saw Chun massaging my leg, my heart went ‘Ya!’ "

Wu Chun will Sacrifice his Career if He Founds His Love

Aug.6.08

Ah Sa and Wu Chun’s film “Butterfly Lovers” will be released on September 11. The film was orginally called “Kung Fu Lovers” but the script remained the same. The film added new elements like Martial Arts with scoop of love story. On August 4, Wu Chun and Ah Sa went to Hong Kong to sign a comic book of “Butterfly Lovers.” That night, they accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter on topic issue “Sacrificing for Love” and the two have very different answers.

Ah Sa will sacrifice her family if she found her love and to be with him for long time. But in Wu Chun’s Interview, he said that he is willing to sacrifice his career if he founds his love.

Wu Chun believes that when it comes to love, women should be loved by men vigorously. He is precise while answering questions of the reporters. He said that “Better to love someone than to live alone.”

Wu Chun also said that, “For example, if ever I found the love of my life, and she asked me to stop my carrer in Show business, then I will do it.”

The reporter asks Chun if he already found his love or if he is dating with someone. Wu Chun said “I always wanted to date with someone, but time do not permits me as I am very busy, I even do not have the chance to meet with girls.”

Another question ask by reporter to Wu Chun that, if he will agree that media will publicized his girlfriend or future wife. Wu Chun prudently said “It depends on the situation, (if media has good intention) I will allow media to publicized my love life so as not to affect her life.”

=====

Gigi's note: Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's nowhere in the original article did it say that Ah Sa is willing to sacrifice her family. In fact, she said "Sacrificing family for love, I definitely cannot do it."

Chun's Interview: The Romantic Prince

CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo
Sunday, July 13, 2008

His princely looks have won him quite a following, first in the chinovela Hana Kimi The Original and now Romantic Princess, both aired on ABS-CBN. In the latter, Wu Chun plays one of the four successors to the owner-manager of a business empire whose granddaughter, played by Angela Zhang, falls head-over-heels for Wu Chun.

Beyond that, not much is known about Wu Chun.

Here’s what Conversations dug up about Wu Chun:

His real name is Goh Kiat Chun, of Chinese descent, born on Oct. 10, 1979 (a Libran), in Brunei, the youngest of three (one sister and one brother). Wu Chun comes from a wealthy family which owns Goh Hock Kee, the distributor of Mitsubishi in Brunei. He stands 5’10”, weighs 160 lbs., with type O blood and lists “actor, singer and model” as his profession.

A Business Administration major from RMIT University in Melbourne, Wu Chun speaks English, Malay (Bruneian) and three Chinese dialects (Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien). He drives a Blue Subaru Impreza Hatchback which he himself customized from the engine to the rims, including the exterior and the interior, with a license plate that bears his birthdate.

He has three tattoos, two around his upper right arm and one on his lower leg. He’s a big fan of Michael Jordan and he even flew to the US purposely to watch Jordan’s last game, with a courtside seat, after which he caught a glimpse of Jordan at his hotel.

“I love food,” he once said. “I love to eat.”

Wu Chun was a model in Singapore before he went to Taiwan where he was asked to play the main character in the Taiwanese drama Tokyo Juliet. Hello, stardom! He later joined the popular Taiwanese boyband Fahrenheit, the oldest of the four members who also include Wu Chun’s Romantic Princess co-star Calvin Chen. Prior to joining showbiz, he was a fitness instructor at his own gym, Fitness Zone, in Brunei.

Does Wu Chun really have three children as he was quoted in an interview, one of whom was shown with him in a picture posted on-line? It was a joke. The kid in the picture was his nephew and the “three children” were actually his Fahrenheit co-members whom he treats as “my children,” being younger than he is.

A sad note: Wu Chun lost his mother a few years ago. He’s often seen wearing a necklace with a ring on it; the ring is said to have been given to him by his mother on her deathbed.

Here are excerpts from yesterday’s Conversations with Wu Chun and Calvin Chen (also a member of the Fahrenheit band, along with two other guys) who are here to promote Romantic Princess (watch them today on the ABS-CBN noontime show ASAP 08 and on The Buzz):

What does your name mean in Chinese?

“I have to ask my father. (Laughs) Actually, my full name is Wu Chi Chun but they asked me to drop the ‘Chi’ when I joined showbiz. Chi means fortune and Chun means respect.”

You were born and grew up in Brunei, a very rich country. Did you live like a prince?

(Laughs some more) “No, no, no! Many people have a misunderstanding about Brunei. Yes, Brunei is a very rich country but it’s the King who is very rich. Our family belongs to the middle class. We are okay.”

What was your childhood ambition?

“Kids in Brunei all want to have a business and that was also what I wanted to have — a business of my own. They want to do something related to business. That’s why when I went to Melbourne, I took up Business Administration. After I graduated, I went back to Brunei and opened a health club. I really love challenging myself in the world of business.”

How was it growing up without your mom?

“Actually, I was about 24 when I lost my mom. She was the reason why I entered showbiz. When my mom passed away, I learned a very good lesson — not to be afraid of anything. That’s why I faced the challenge of entering showbiz, something I was very afraid to do before my mom died. I didn’t have confidence in myself. Now, I have self-confidence.”

What are your fond memories of your mom?

“My mom always took good care of me. She always reminded me to be a useful and good person.”

I’m sure she’s very happy that you have turned out to be a useful and good person.

“Yes. I’m sure she is.”

Are you wearing the ring that your mom has given to you?

“No, I’m not.”

Why? Where is it?

“I’m keeping it in a safe because I’m afraid of losing it.”

Having come from a privileged family....

...(Laughs)...”I don’t come from a privileged family...”

But your family is the distributor of Mitsubishi cars in Brunei, isn’t it?

“It’s my uncle who is the distributor. He’s quite rich. My family is more into another business, not really that rich.”

Oh, you’re very humble!

“No. That’s the truth. We are trying hard to make our business a success.”

If not money, what motivates you in your career?

“I think that everything I do now in showbiz is a good experience for me. Whether I succeed or not is not important to me. What’s important is the experience.”

With an uncle who distributes cars, you must be a car-lover.

“Yes, I am.”

Do you race?

“When I was in Melbourne, I did. I had a racing car.”

As a fitness buff, how do you take care of your body?

“Actually, the most important thing is that you must have the heart in whatever you do, including taking care of your health. Whatever you do, wherther working out, you have to put your 100 percent. You must be careful with what you eat. You must have focus; that’s very important.”

Aside from Michael Jordan, do you have any other role model?

“No. Only Michael Jordan. He’s the one who really influenced me. From the time I was a kid, he has influenced me a lot. I admire his attitude toward his game; he’s a good role model not only for me but for anybody.”

What’s your ideal girl?

“Somebody who is very simple, who is willing to share everything with me, somebody who is understanding, somebody who is happy to be with me and with whom I can be happy. Looks is not important. If you want to have a happy, lasting relationship, the feeling is more important than looks.”

Do you want to have a Filipina girlfriend? You still have time to look for one before you fly back to Taipei tomorrow.

“Let me see...Hahahahaha!”

Describe Calvin in three words.

“Very playboy. No, no, no, no, no! That’s a joke. He is clever, hard-working and responsible.”

Up close with Calvin Chen

Also a member of the Fahrenheit band, Calvin Chen’s Chinese name is Chen Yi Ru, born in Taiwan in Nov. 10, 1980 (Scorpion). He’s six-footer, weighs 143 lbs., with type A blood. He finished high school at Jianguo High School (one of the top schools in Taiwan) and college at the Simon Fraser University in Canada, and earned his M.A. in Economics at the University of Victoria.

While in Canada, Calvin competed in Sunshine Boyz, a pageant-like competiton, in Vancouver, emerging a winner. Among his prizes was a free ticket to Taiwan, a contract with a music company and a role in a drama. Currently enrolled at the National Chengchi University in Taipei, taking up Public Finance, Calvin speaks English and two Chinese dialects (Mandarin and Hokkien; he understands conversational Cantonese).

In Romantic Princess, he also plays one of the four successors to a big business empire.

Your Chinese name is Chen Yi Ru. What does it mean?

“Ru means scholar. My mom wants me to study hard. Yi means polite. My mom also wants me to be polite with people.”

How has your life been in Vancouver?

“Good. Very good! I went there when I was 18 and I lived by myself for seven years. I learned to be independent. It made my world wider and bigger.”

How many brothers and sisters do you have?

“I have one sister, two years older than I am. She’s getting married at the end of this year. I’m happy for her.”

What made you live in Vancouver by yourself?

“My dad wanted me to be independent. And I also wanted to be. For half a year, I stayed with my friends and then I lived by myself for more than six years. I was a student. I did everything by myself, including the laundry, cleaning the house, going to the grocery and doing the dishes — and paying all the bills.”

You took up Economics in college. Did you also want to put up your own business?

“If I did not become a model and an actor, I would have ended up in a financial institution, such as one dealing in stocks. Even now, I always read the business section when I get hold of a newspaper.”

You’ve been in Vancouver for seven years. Didn’t you experience any culture shock?

“Canada is a multi-cultural country. There are so many people from different countries — Japan, Korea, India, Philippines, etc....so many different races there. I’ve gotten to know so many people from different countries and I’ve learned how to respect their cultures and their traditions. I’ve learned how to adjust to any new culture and new environment.”

What are your hobbies?

(Joked Wu Chun, “Looking at the stocks. Hahahaha!”)

“Watching movies, going out with friends. Nothing much.”

How do you take care of your body?

“I don’t eat late. I learned from Chun what food is nutritious and what is junk food. He always tells me to eat and eat because he thinks I’m too skinny.”

(Wu Chun: “He was very skinny before. But now he’s okay. He also sometimes goes to the gym and that’s good.”)

Who’s your role model?

“My dad. He’s the vice president of a company. He takes good care of our family and that’s the most important thing. He gave me a good education, including sending me to Vancouver to be independent. He’s 58, getting old, and his heart is not so good so I worry about him. I can’t spend so much time with him. And when I do, I go out to dinner with him.”

What’s your ideal girl?

“Same with Chun’s — simple and a happy girl. The feeling is important. Somebody who can be a friend and a family to me. Somebody with the same values as I have and who can work together with me.”

Is nationality a factor?

“Not really. I had a Korean girlfriend before.”

(Wu Chun: “You want a Bruneian girlfriend? Hahahaha.”)

Do you want a Filipina girlfriend?

“Why not?”

You still have time to look for one before you fly back to Taipei tomorrow.

“Hahahahaha!”

Describe Wu Chun in three words.

“Mature. Responsible. Hard-working.”

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@phil-star.net.ph or at entphilstar@ya-hoo.com)


Credits: Asianfanatics