China Showbiz 2013/02/22
Eric Li Works at Massage Parlor to Make Ends Meet
Many will recognize Eric Li (李天翔) mostly portraying villains or small roles in TVB series but not even know his name. Despite his frequent television appearance, Eric remains a struggling actor for years, even working at a massage parlor due to pressure from financial realities.
Eric has been with TVB for 18 years, making a paycheck of about $10,000 HKD a month. With his measly salary and unstable acting career, he relies heavily on his girlfriend of 3 years, Bobo. Although Bobo is not in the entertainment industry, she has supported Eric and remained by his side.
To make ends meet, Eric also has a part-time job as a receptionist at a Thai massage parlor. From answering phones, scheduling appointments, selling massage packages to serving tea, Eric does it all.
Reporters went undercover to the Thai massage parlor and witnessed firsthand how Eric caters to patrons. When they walked in, Eric cheerfully asked, “Welcome! Is it your first time?” and proceeds to pour tea to serve them. When the phone rang, Eric excused himself to answer the phone and book an appointment on the spot.
There were some patrons that recognized Eric’s star looks and his appearance from recent TVB series, The Day of Days <初五啟市錄>. When they asked him if he was the actor in that series, he embarrassingly answered, “I’m just helping out.”
A regular patron of the massage parlor spilled, “Eric has been working here for several months. He comes more often when there is no work with TVB. I heard that this parlor was opened by his ex-girlfriend and she wanted to help him out since his salary at TVB is so low. He makes $50 HKD an hour here which is higher than the required minimum wage, so he can pull in some decent income if he works 9 hours a day! If he has to film for TVB, he’ll still come back after the shooting to help out. At first he wasn’t used to pouring tea and serving customers, but now he’s doing really good and hard working.”
Source: Next Magazine #1198 via kuangaitvb.com
Leehom Wang and Li Yundi Unfollow Each Other
It all started out as a fun “brokeback” rumor. Leehom Wang (王力宏) and classical pianist, Li Yundi (李雲迪), became good friends after meeting up in January 2012 for a New Year gala performance. The friends were then seen out together on movie dates, Thanksgiving dinners, and grand opening banquets. For an entire year, the alleged “Homdi” couple continually fed their supporters with fake love proposals and documented skin-shipping.
Originally treated as a fun topic for gossip, the shipping quickly went out of hand, and more and more fans were beginning to believe that Homdi was truly happening. In January 2013, Leehom and Yundi finally stepped up to deny that they were not a couple – just a pair of great friends who shared much in common.
Lu Chen Fuels Brokeback Controversy
The Homdi wave slowed down for the next couple of weeks, but it was once again put back into the force by Taiwanese magician, Lu Chen (劉謙), at the CCTV Live Spring Festival Gala two weeks ago.
Lu Chen and Yundi’s performance, a disappearing act that involved Lu Chen vanishing Yundi out of thin air while he played the piano, was briefly interrupted by Lu Chen exclaiming, “You want Leehom?” to Yundi. After the performance, a netizen claimed that he witnessed Leehom attacking Lu Chen for his words backstage, but this allegation was later debunked by Leehom and Lu Chen.
That night, CCTV representatives released a statement, stating, “Lu Chen’s teasing on Li Yundi and Leehom Wang was not created by the directors. It is an improvisation by Lu Chen, and solely by him. Reruns of the show will delete this segment.”
Lu Chen commented on CCTV’s statement an hour later on his Weibo, writing, “Every single word I said on stage was properly communicated [with Yundi’s team]. It happened because both of [our teams] were satisfied with it. Come on! Be honest.”
On February 16, Lu Chen’s manager stated that Lu Chen’s “Leehom line” was actually suggested by Yundi and his team.
Li Yundi’s Response
Leehom stayed quiet on the matter, but yesterday, Yundi posted his response to the incident on his Weibo, stating, “Recently, I have been busy preparing for my Europe tour and the Lantern Festival soirée. It has been a while since the Spring Festival, and I have heard too many untrue reports and claims. Here, I just want to say one thing – I never proposed nor suggested any change to the script. I trust [my fans’] judgments. I just want to be able to give everyone more good classical piano music.”
Leehom and Yundi Unfollow Each Other
Yesterday, both Leehom and Yundi unfollowed each other on Weibo. Leehom however, is still following Lu Chen.
Sharp-eyed fans noticed that right before Leehom unfollowed Yundi, the singer had posted a status on his Weibo, writing, “Today, I watched the Oscar-nominated Silver Linings Playbook. The director’s script is just like a machine gun; every spoken word is as sharp as a bullet. It reminds me of the film Ang Lee recommended me,Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Both films are great and sunny productions, but the actors and director’s performances alone are brilliant enough to watch. [I] recommend you guys watch these two films!”
Some fans believed that Leehom’s post was meant to be directed to those who fueled the Homdi rumors. Nonetheless, many fans were disappointed that a simple brokeback rumor would result in the demise of their friendship.
So who is telling the truth?
Source: Yahoo.com, Sina.com- Nancy Wu - Am I That Bad Nancy Wu has been working at the same company (TVB) for over 10 years, but is getting promoted slower than others. After enduring for 10 years, she finally gets a leading role, but it was just a leading role in one of the four stories in the episodic TVB series Season of Love.
"In the past ten years, I've seen many of my colleagues easily becoming lead actresses. At first, I asked myself: 'Why is it not Nancy Wu?'" Asking herself the same question too many times, eventually she naturally just stops asking. Nancy Wu came to one conclusion: She's not pretty enough. If not pretty enough, then you will be classified as a character actor/actress. A female lead must have some beauty and just stand around, unlike a character actress who has room to develop her acting skills?
"All along, producers have just described me as the second female lead. How could the audience not have this definition? It's hard to bear, but then again I'm used to it. Last year, I got some supporting actress awards and encouragement from many people. If I say I don't expect to get promoted, then I'm lying. In the upcoming new series, Food for Slaves, many people thought my wish came true, but actually up until this moment, I'm not certain at all. The best I could do is comfort myself, I don't have the looks of a mui jai."
Failed this time, try again next time. "I cannot control the ability of others, so I can only control my own abilities. I will just have to try my best and let the audience recognize I am someone worthy of challenges."
Luckily There is Wayne Lai
Wayne Lai sits firmly in the lead actor seat, surveying the TVB FaDans, it is hard to believe Linda Chung or Kate Tsui could be a romantic couple with Wayne. By inert theory, it is expected Nancy can portray a couple with Wayne.
"From Rosy Business until The Confidant, I was paired up with Wayne, like there was finally no comparison. I was even paired up with Ngok Wah before. It is because I en! countered them, that I began to feel more confident in moving forward in my career."
Indeed that is an enlightening story, an actress lacking the beauty was initially a weakness, but Nancy was able to turn it into brightness. Next is probably the explosive fabricated news, such as her on and off relationship with Kenneth Ma. She just let that relationship slip away, then turned around and announced she got a boyfriend, the boss of an advertising company.
"I've always lacked the talking point. I live a normal life. Nancy Wu's business, who really cares?"
A Substandard Girl
If her relationship with Kenneth Ma remained ambiguous, then definitely the public would have strong interest in her love life, She didn't leak a single thing. "The relationship was unstable, basically haven't even acknowledged he was the one. Then what's the point in publicizing the relationship?"
The secret was only out after the break up? Nancy: "It was because he didn't want the trouble, couldn't stand the media asking him the same question day and night. He childishly thought admitting the relationship would end it all. If you ask me, I think there is a better way to handle the situation. Unlike now, created even more trouble."
The troubles include Nancy being called a gold-digger, just because she wanted a wealthy boyfriend, she heartlessly dumped the 'suen poon'. Some said she had 'princess sickness' too.
Nancy questioned: "What did I do wrong? Why did I get written so badly? My last ex (Deep Ng) had a bad image, so you thought I was good; Now Kenneth has a good image and I turned into a bad woman?"
Kenneth wanted to help clarify the negative news. "The more clarification, the more miserable it gets. Everyone thought he was trying to defend me, so his reputation got even better and made me look even worse. Even my mother couldn't help but ask me, 'Why such a good girl can be insulted like this?' I didn't know how to answer her. Kenneth isn't especially rich either,! you thin! k he's the best deal, then am I a substandard girl?"
Again, back to the same question: "Am I that bad?"
This is the One
Nancy: "You ask me what's the benefit of publicizing a relationship, I think it's just we don't have to lie. Mentally, it keeps us relaxed. Kenneth and I, our foundation wasn't stabled, there were too many doubts, a vicious cycle and thus it was inevitable that our relationship ended."
So, this time Nancy was smarter, once she got photographed with her new boyfriend, she immediately admitted it. "First off, he's not someone in the industry, so there are less worries. Secondly, the most important, I have never had this feeling before, where I can see my future with someone. Women, what do they wish for, it's not a Chanel handbag. When it all comes down to it, women are pursuing nothing more than spiritual stability."
"If there are no accidents, this is the one." Ten years in the industry, Nancy had never dared to say it, nor could she say it. Every relationship is just to pave the road for the next. This time, Nancy is still believed to be tying herself to a wealthy boyfriend no matter what it takes. She smiled sweetly: "If a female artist's boyfriend isn't consider in poverty, then is he definitely rich?
Gillian Chung's phone snatched in Vietnam
What started as a sweet Valentine's Day vacation for Gillian Chung and her Korean boyfriend (known only as Mr. K) was marred when they got a first taste of the notorious street robbers that are now terrorising Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam.
The couple, who spent their first Valentine's Day together in the Southeast Asian country recently, fell prey to the notorious motorbike robbers who are known for snatching possessions of tourists.
"I was looking up an address with my phone, when the robber, riding on an electric bicycle, appeared out of nowhere and snatched my phone," recalled Gillian, 32, fearfully, adding that she remained traumatised for days.
Luckily for Gillian, there was no embarrassing picture in the phone. Her biggest loss? "All my game records are gone!" she said.Gillian's relationship with her Korean beau (known only as Mr. K) seems to be progressing well. (image source: on.cc)
She ended up relying on the iPad Mini she gave to her boyfriend as a Valentine's Day present for the remaining days of the trip. Following the incidenct, her plans of meeting up with her close friend, fellow singer Angela Chang—who was also vacationing in Vietnam with Wu Tsing-Fong, frontman of Taiwanese indie band Sodagreen—also fell apart.
"I was there with my boyfriend and we planned to meet up with Angela, but my phone was snatched soon after," she said.
Source: Sina.com.hk
Images: on.cc
Published: 21st February 2013
MORE ON GILLIAN CHUNG:
Gillian Chung's got a new squeeze - a film producer
Fiona Sit gets regional award for her 'Bounty' role
Hong Kong singer-actress Fiona Sit got a big angpow this Chinese New Year, when she was named Best Actress at the 2013 Golden Koala Chinese Film Festival in Australia for her role in Hong Kong filmThe Bounty.Congrats, Fiona Sit! (image source: on.cc)
An excited Fiona kissed the trophy and thanked the director of the film Fung Chi Chiang, and her co-star Chapman To.
"I will always remember how good both of you are to me," she gushed, also expressing her gratitude to Paco Wong, the owner of her management company Sun Entertainment Culture Ltd for producing "a movie with heart."
This was not the first time her acting talent was recognised internationally. Back in 2010, she clinched the Best Actress award at the Vietnam International Film Festival for her role in Break Up Club, a romance comedy also starring Jaycee Chan.
Held for the third time, the Golden Koala Chinese Film Festival is an annual award show that aims to encourage and promote new directors. Only directors who have made less than three films are eligible for the awards. The Bounty, also starring Hong Kong veteran actor Alex Man Tze Leung, marks Fung's directorial debut. He also wrote the script.
Published: 21st February 2013Fiona Sit stars opposite Hong Kong funnyman Chapman To in The Bounty.
MORE ON FIONA SIT:
Fiona Sit kisses Edmond Tong in public
Fiona contemplated suicide, stopped by Khalil - Beauty in denim
sexy beauty girl denim bikini hot body - Bromances receive a nod from China Daily The English state-run paper China Daily recently published a commentary discussing shipping bromances by film critic Raymond Zhou. The essay uses the tale of musicians Wang Leehom and Li Yundi as an example of the social phenomenon of "bromance shippings" in China, which Zhou believes indicate a growing liberal attitude amongst the general public.
The highly publicized and mostly adored bromance of Leehom and Li Yundi didn't end happily, but it does allow China Daily to show its openness.
"What's surprising is that the public mood has been more playful than serious, and that applies to even before Wang denied the amorous link. One does not detect a whiff of lament that such gifted artists are not "normal", which I suspect would be the case if it had happened a decade ago. People, especially the young, are more tolerant of homosexuality as a lifestyle."
Zhou doesn't forget to add, though, that such acceptance is partly because Wang Leehom and Li Yundi are both extremely handsome, and that discrimination against homosexuals still exist in China.
Ultimately, Zhou makes the point that platonic bromances are an important part of Chinese culture and should be more widely accepted, and that relationships are a private matter and should not be subject to "shipping." He concludes with " Whatever way of life one prefers, as long as it does not infringe on others, we should learn to respect it. Live and let live, as they say."
I was a bit surprised that the story was published, but probably not as surprised as the English commentators who has used the incident as another excuse to make fun of CCTV. I'm so happy to know that China's PR department is not broken and publishes stories like this once in a while. Although, I personally have no issues with shipping real people as long as either you're not affecting the real people involved or they're okay with it. David Beckham to be China’s Super League Ambassador
Former England captain David Beckham is reportedly in talks about promoting Chinese football to the global market by becoming an international ambassador for the Chinese Super League. [Photo: Xinhua]
It’s being reported David Beckham could become an international ambassador for the Chinese Super League.
The former England captain is reportedly in talks about promoting Chinese football to the global market.
It is also being reported the 37-year old will be attending a series of promotional events here in China as well.
Previous reports have had Beckham considering a move here to China.
However, those rumors have since been dispelled following his signing with Paris St. Germain.
Source: CRIenglish
Rainie Yang and Prince’s Hawaii Photos Emerge
Rainie Yang (杨丞琳) and JPM’s Prince (王子) were unable to take their Hawaii vacation in privacy as hoped. With their relationship now under intense scrutiny, Prince scrambled to explain that they were only good friends, but this did not stop their fans from attacking each other.
Rainie and Prince’s romantic rumors have headlined Taiwanese tabloids for half a year, but their Hawaii vacation was regarded as “concrete evidence” of their romance. It was understood that 24-year-old Prince had invited 29-year-old Rainie’s parents to join them on vacation although the Yangs declined. This led to speculations that Prince and Rainie are in a serious dating relationship.
After a photo of Rainie and Prince at the Honolulu Airport was exposed, another set of photos from their Hawaii vacation have emerged. On February 18, Rainie and Prince were spotted at a coffee shop in Hawaii by a fan who quickly snapped photos. Wearing sunglasses, Rainie and Prince stood out from the rest of the customers and were recognized as their celebrity selves. In the photos, Prince was holding onto two large shopping bags while Rainie sat at the table and turned her gaze towards Prince’s back.
The rumored relationship has already put fans in a testy state. Rushing to defend their idols, fans scolded each other in a discussion over “Who cannot match up to the other?”
Rainie urged her fans to stay calm. “Silence is golden. This is the best for me–do you understand? I believe some people will understand.” Rainie’s message was interpreted as trying to protect her relationship with Prince from further attack.
Prince attempted to pacify fans on Weibo by posting, “I know that everyone is trying to protect me, but I don’t wish for everyone to attack each other! I also don’t want the media to misinterpret your [words] either! [We're] just like normal friends, take it easy,” Prince explained his friendship with Rainie.
Both Rainie and Prince’s managers insisted that the pair are only friends and that they had traveled to Hawaii together with other friends.
Sources: Sohu.com, Sohu.com, On.cc
Jolin Tsai meets future parents-in-law
All those talks about Jolin Tsai heading down the aisle with model Vivian Dawson may be true after all, as the Mandopop princess was spotted on an outing with her rumoured beau and his parents in New Zealand recently.Will Vivian Dawson beJolin Tsai's Mr. Right? (image source: Jaded News)
Taiwanese media had obtained a photograph showing the singer having a great time with the Dawsons on Skyline Rotorua, a popular cable car ride which is one of the top tourist attractions in Rotorua, New Zealand. The quartet looked like a happy family with their bright smiles and laid-back manner.
When asked about this, Jolin’s manager Wang Yung-liang only revealed that the singer was vacationing in New Zealand with a group of friends.
Jolin, 32, has been romantically linked to Vivian, a New Zealand native who shot to fame in Taiwan as a model, for two years, yet both had neither confirmed nor denied their relationship.
Source: NOWNews.com
Published: 20th February 2013
MORE ON JOLIN TSAI AND VIVIAN DAWSON:
Jolin gives boyfriend a Ferrari
When is Jolin heading down the aisle with BF?
Jolin brings rumoured BF to wedding
Comments