China Showbiz 2013/03/06
Imax China to Stop Signing Exclusive One-Film Deals
HONG KONG – Chinese moviegoers will soon be provided with a choice at the country’s Imax cinemas, as the chain plans to end its practice of showing only one film at a time on all its screens in the country.
Imax China “will no longer sign so-called exclusive deals,” the company’s CEO, Chen Jiande, told The Beijing News. “We have to respect the choices made by the market and by audiences, as this is how it has been done around the world.”
The decision arrives three months after the furor that erupted when Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, which was released in China on Nov. 22, was yanked from the large-format screens after only a weeklong run – a result of the chain’s previously signed deal with Huayi Brothers, which stipulated that Feng Xiaogang’s Back to 1942 would be shown on its screens when it opened Nov. 29.
Feng and Huayi were then roundly criticized in the Chinese blogosphere for acting like bullies and forcing the chain to pull Life of Pi from its screens, which led to the director accusing Imax China of whipping up a media frenzy.
“I don’t want to sound like weaving conspiracies here, but they have done promotion ... by saying Life of Pi will only be released [on Imax] for a week, and you’ve got to come see it quickly as after this week there will only beBack to 1942,” he said in a press conference for his film in Guangzhou in the run-up to the movie's release.
The standoff actually led to audiences rushing to see Lee’s film during its Imax run and also indirectly boosted its profile in the country. Life of Pi eventually took $91.8 million (571 million yuan) in its total earnings, whileBack to 1942 foundered with only $59.8 million (372 million yuan).
The number of Imax screens in China has increased exponentially in recent years, with the company now operating more than 110 screens in the country, compared to only 11 in 2010. As it stands, only the U.S. has more Imax screens than China. According to The Beijing News’ report, 127 screens are now being constructed around the country.
Imax also has been enhancing its collaborations with mainland Chinese filmmakers, with the chain having already released nine Chinese-language large-format productions in the country since 2010. The latest offerings were Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster and Stephen Chow Sing-chi’s Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.
Earlier, the chain announced its decision to recruit two Chinese filmmakers to shoot with Imax cameras. Chen said the projects will probably be unveiled in June.
'Iron Man 3' releases exclusive Chinese trailer
An exclusive Chinese trailer of "Iron Man 3," the most-anticipated superhero movie this summer, is released today with Chinese actors Wang Xueqi and Fan Bingbing appearing in it.
According to previous reports, Wang, 66, a veteran mainland actor, joined the making of Iron Man 3 in the role of Dr Wu. Wang has won awards for his performances in Chen Kaige's "Forever Enthralled", and Teddy Chan's "Bodyguards and Assassins".
Chinese actress Fan Bingbing will also play a surgical assistant to Dr Wu in this film, as the new trailer suggests.
Wang and Fan is teaming up with a returning cast that includes Robert Downey Jr. as the billionaire inventor Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts and Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes. In the film, Iron Man faces a powerful enemy, the Mandarin. He flies to China to seek help from Dr. Wu, who can strengthen his abilities to fight the Mandarin.Wang Xueqi joins the making of Iron Man 3 in Beijing. [China.org.cn]
Several scenes of "Iron Man 3" has been in Beijing in last December. Beijing-based DMG Entertainment, one of the film's production companies, helps guarantee the Chinese elements of the project.
Iron Man 3 will premiere in the United States on May 3, 2013 while the main cast such as Robert Downey Jr. will arrive in Beijing to promote the film in April. It will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in all territories worldwide other than China, where DMG will help with distribution.
The first two installments of the Iron Man series have been well received by the country's box office. "Iron Man" in 2008 was the fifth highest-grossing international film that year and raked in 94 million yuan (US$15 million). The 2010 sequel brought in 176 million yuan (US$28.29 million).
“Journey to the West” Soars to 1.4 Billion RMB; Profit Dispute Remains
With a record box office income of 1.4 billion RMB 17 days after it was aired, Stephen Chow’s (周星馳) Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons <西遊．降魔篇> does not show signs of slowing down. The film is on the verge of overtaking Avatar as the highest grossing movie in China. Behind the scenes, a disagreement is slowly unfolding between director Stephen Chow’s Bingo Group and its Chinese partner, Huayi Brothers, over the distribution of the movie’s profits.
The controversy started on when Huayi Brothers’ CEO, Wang Zhonglei (王中磊) announced on his Weibo, “Journey to the West is Huayi’s first production, distributed in China. And the highest grossing film ever!” Two days later, it issued an official notice stating the filming studio is not only the mainland Chinese distributor of the film, but also an investor. This claim differs widely from Bingo’s announcement made last November, which did not name Huayi as one of the film’s financiers.
Last Monday, when Journey to the West broke through the 1 billion RMB record, Huayi released another notice stating that the company should be receiving pre-tax profits of 196 million RMB from the film. On the same day, Bingo issued a notice saying that Huayi would receive 12 percent of the film’s net profits as the distributor plus an additional share of box-office dividends, while the investors, which does not include Huayi, will obtain about 70 percent of the net income calculated from distribution of the film in mainland China.
The following day, Huayi retaliated by posting yet another notice declaring Huayi and Bingo have already signed an agreement that that it should be Huayi which should receive the 70 percent of the net income from its earnings in China. Yesterday, Huayi continued with its claim by posting on its Weibo that on top of the distribution fees, it should get to enjoy at least 70 percent of the film’s net takings which could amount to as much as 267 million RMB.
If the profits dispute continues, the matter may need to be settled in court.
Stephen Chow’s Response
In a telephone interview, Stephen said, “The matter is too complicated for me to explain within a few words. Anyway, the company is already looking into it. As of now, I have nothing much to add.” Considering the close relationship between Wang Zhonglei and Stephen previously, this matter may just be as delicate as it is complicated.
In related news, Stephen indicated that Journey to the West’s successful box office reception was within his expectations. “One billion RMB is within my expectations. I had confidence that the audience will like this film.” Although viewers miss his onscreen performances, Stephen remained noncommittal as to whether he will act again. He continues to exhibit a strong interest in all aspects of film production, including action choreography and lighting.
Source: Sharp Daily; Netease.com
- Fan Bingbing tours a Barbie factory.FBB puts on a Peter Pan collar and finds out where Barbie dolls come from. Strange but true. She should have spent her time at a San Rio plant with Hello Kitty.
Just too precious...
...particularly this one.
Yahoo China
Chow Yun Fat and Liam Neesom Star in Film on Chinese Railroad Workers
The influx of movie goers in China has caused Hollywood to take notice and it is no surprise then that 20thCentury Fox has decided to work with China Film Group to produce Tragedy of the Chinese Laborers <華工血淚史>. The film stars 57-year-old Chow Yun Fat (周潤發) and Liam Neeson as railroad workers in the United States in the 19th century.
The Emerging “Chollywood”
Over the past few years, the Chinese film industry has experienced an unprecedented boost. China has already replaced India as the world’s second largest film producer. No matter how much Westerners may scoff at the Chinese censorship system, they cannot ignore that China has become the world’s second largest box office, after the United States.
Last year alone, the Chinese spent more than 17 billion RMB on movies, with half of the sales spent on Hollywood movies. As such, this has attracted Hollywood and worldwide film companies eager to woo Chinese movie-goers.
Tragedy of the Chinese Laborers
In the 1980s, Taiwanese director King Hu (胡金銓) had already expressed interest in filming the controversial treatment of Chinese railroad workers in the United States in the 19th century. Because of the lack of funds, filming was delayed and eventually the film was not made because of his passing.
In 2005, it was reported that Fox obtained the filming rights and has invited award-winning Irish actor, Liam Neeson to take part. However, filming was shelved due to funding problems as well as the lack of special effects support. Last year, Fox invited China Film Group to invest in Tragedy of the Chinese Laborers. The latter agreed, with the condition that the majority of filming to be done in China.
The struggles of the Chinese railroad laborers in the United States in the 19th century may finally come to light with the materialization of the movie. With a budget of $150 million USD, the movie will be directed by critically acclaimed Indian director, Shekhar Kapur, who was behind the Academy award-winning film, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, starring Cate Blanchett.
Tragedy of the Chinese Laborers will recount the trials and tribulations of Chinese and Irish workers who were sold to the United States for the construction of railroads in the 19th century. The story will revolve around 5 Chinese laborers who were tricked to participate in the construction of the California Union Pacific Railroad for free. Fat Gor will play the leader of the Chinese workers, who not only has to fight for their rights, but also face off competition from the Irish workers, headed by Liam Neeson. The movie will also star Fan Bingbing (范冰冰) as Fat Gor’s love interest.
In preparation for filming to commence in August this year, China Film Group is ready to start preparing a railroad in northeastern China for the movie. Director Shekhar Kapur will also fly to China early to oversee the arrangements. Filming will take place in the United States and Canada.
Source: Sharp Daily - Bruce's Deadly Fingers - Long men mi zhi (1976)
- "Iron Man 3″ releases Chinese trailer, glimpses of Wang Xueqi,Fan Bingbing A Chinese trailer for "Iron Man" was released with a few shots of Wang Xueqi,Fan Bingbing. Watch it here.
Fan Bingbing wondering why she's even in this trailer.
On the one hand, I'm always happy to see more Chinese actors in mainstream media, but it's frustrating to see a trailer where the Chinese characters are randomly inserted and obviously do not belong. In recent year, it seems like it's become quite popular for movie to include Chinese actresses as minor roles in Hollywood films so as to use that person for extensive marketing in China. It would be nice if the degree to which those actresses are used as advertisement are actually proportionate to their relevance in the film.
Li Bingbing - Top Chinese actress and singer
Li Bingbing is a Chinese actress and singer.
Born: February 27, 1973 (age 40), Harbin
Height: 5' 5" (1.65 m)
Education: Shanghai Theater Academy -
- Actress-singer Shirley Yeung is adamant in showing that she can support her daughter Krystal on her own, and she has been doing a good job in keeping her word.
According to Jayne Stars website, TVB executive, Virginia Lok recently expressed that she is proud with the actress' hard work to support her family. She revealed that Shirley has been helping her constantly and as her token of gratefulness, Virginia has been offering Shirley job opportunities whenever possible.
Despite not been active in filming dramas, Shirley has raked in an annual income of HKD2 million, mainly from lucrative stage performances in mainland China, as well as endorsement fees and promotional appearances.
In February, the actress was spotted taking her one-year-old daughter to a playgroup in Wan Chai. An insider revealed, "Shirley was very focused on providing her daughter with a good education. The playgroup charged HKD500 per month, aiming to stimulate young children's senses through a variety of activities and games and she was determined to let Krystal in."
"The teachers are very professional and caring towards the children. Furthermore, spots for the one-year old class were limited, and a draw had to be used to determine the students' enrolments," the insider added.
Ever since her breakup with boyfriend Gregory Lee, the actress has been supporting her daughter alone. Despite the many rumours that Krystal's father may have been Gregory or Andy Ng, the actress has decided to keep mum about the identity of her daughter's biological father. - Raymond Lam showers gifts on Karena Ng
The actor is said to have paid for his beau's extravagant purchases on their trip to Milan
TVB actor Raymond Lam was recently spotted coming back from his third holiday with new squeeze Karena Ng in a month. The lovebirds returned from their six-day Milan trip in style, traveling business class on the 12-hour flight.
According to reports, the two sat next to each other on the flight, with Karena immediately choosing to rest after boarding. Raymond spent his journey watching movies, constantly checking on his girlfriend and adjusting her blanket for her.
The 19-year-old is said to have woken up two hours later; the couple fought playfully on their seats before Raymond planted a kiss on her.
Raymond is said to have spent a small fortune in Milan, picking up the bill for all travel-related expenses and even Karena's shopping sprees. She reportedly picked up five Hermes Birkins, worth an estimated HKD1,500,000 (S$24,000). Additionally, she allegedly purchased multiple items from Louis Vuitton and Prada, also continuing her shopping spree until she boarded the plane.
A source close to the young star revealed that apart from getting a supplementary card from her actor-boyfriend, Karena has recently acquired a limitless American Express Black Card. The source declared, 'She started wearing Franck Muller shortly after dating him. She told him that she was going to get her driver's license and naturally received a car after she passed. She has so many pieces of branded clothing that they can't fit in her wardrobes and even generously offered them to her friends.' - Sharon Chan Criticized for Poor Mandarin, Admits Needs Improvement Yesterday TVB's Miss Chinese International Pageant 2013 held its celebration event. The MCI winners Glora Tang, Carat Cheung and Miss Friendship Weinberger Lauren Elizabeth attended along with the MCs Sharon Chan and Sharon Chan. Earlier Netizens criticized Sharon for having poor Mandarin. Sharon admitted her Mandarin has room for improvement and that she has reflected on her performance, and will do better next time. She expressed perhaps her potential in the language isn't high, but she said: "That night, I tried my best, but I won't let the criticisms discourage me. I also want to thank Netizens for giving me their feedback. Actually I do have room for improvement in this area and I'm not just listening to the positive feedback."
- Him Law Wants to Help Kenneth Ma Wipe His Tears Annie Liu, Him Law, Ruco Chan and Kathy Yuen attended the press conference for Sony's new water-resistant phone, the Xperia Z, held in Mongkok. Him expressed he had always hoped to have two phones, so he will be taking the device that the event organizers gave him for personal use. When speaking of girlfriend Tavia Yeung winning the 'Most Outstanding TV Actress of 2012' award? Him said he is happy for her. How will he celebrate with her? Him said: "Kenneth Ma got the award too, we will have dinner together to celebrate. (Tavia helped Kenneth wipe his tears, were you jealous?) Because Kenneth was really touched, he's been a hard working actor for many years. If I was sitting next to him, I would help him wipe his tears too." When Him gets an award in the future, does he hope his girlfriend do the same and help him wipe his tears? Him laughed embarrassingly: "I will bring my own tissues when I get an award."
- Myolie Wu Dares Not to Eat with the Opposite Sex Yesterday Myolie Wu attended The 11th More Beauty Product Awards Ceremony with Joey Meng and Ella Koon as guest award presenters. Clearly desperate to be in a relationship, Myolie expressed she hopes to grow her hair out again, she said: "Longer hair is better. This year my goal is to be more feminine. (Want peach blossom fate?) Let nature take its course. The market is bigger when you are more feminine."
The single Myolie is frequently getting rumors, such as with the Mainland Siu Sang Bruce Yu. She said: "I think he's quite handsome, but we are just colleagues." Myolie sighed expressing she fears people will have their mind set on one person and she won't have any choice, therefore she's afraid to eat out with the opposite sex. Reporters mentioned there are many handsome guys in Mainland? She laughed: "Yes, but they are just colleagues. Also, I have to get pass you all (reporters) first." She believes the most important is to have things in common and being able to communicate. If she just starts a relationship so easily, she won't know how it will end, but she does not have a fear of suffering a loss.
Earlier she and ex-boyfriend Bosco Wong attended the same event in Shanghai, but avoided one another. Myolie denied: "We were working together, but didn't have the opportunity to meet. We often bump into each other at TVB, just nobody has seen them. If there is a chance to greet him, I would do so."
It was reported TVB made arrangements for their FaDans to accompany guests to drink in Shenzhen? Myolie joked: "Why didn't they ask me to go? Shenzhen isn't bad, is that true?" She strongly supported that TVB is a healthy company, they will not do such thing. "If TVB does make arrangements, I am not worried, there will definitely be an assistant to accompany us. I never had such experience, and the situation may not be what everyone thinks it is. Perhaps its just social networking, normal social interactions."
Ella Koon Comes from Wealthy Background
Recently! Ella Koon reportedly has a wealthy father and she moved into a luxury home that cost her a monthly rent of HK$150,000. Ella admitted her family owns a jewelry business, but expressed her greatest premise is to not affect her family, therefore she does not usually mention her family. Although she comes from a wealthy family background, Ella still hopes to rely on her own hard work to earn and save money to buy a home. She expressed each month, she will be a responsible daughter and give her family 5 figures of housekeeping money. Also, she denied her monthly rent is HK$150,000 and was unwilling to disclose the actual rent, but she did admit rent is higher than before. Ella is thankful to have the support of her new company, otherwise she would not have found such a good home. Ella said she is not cohabiting with her boyfriend in the new home. - 10-YEAR-OLD TOYS WITH SHOW LUO A 10-year-old girl in China has forked out 100,000 yuan ($16,000) to buy a big toy car for her idol Show Luo (羅志祥).
In the video clip circulating online, the girl sits on the hood of the remote controlled car, expressing her love for the singer, saying "I really love you very very much."
She proudly shows off red envelopes, the cash gifts that children get at Chinese New Year, saying: "Brother Little Pig (Show's nickname), I've bought a big toy for you. You must accept it!"
When her cousin, who holds the camera, asks her what she will do if Show refuses the gift, the little girl said, "Then I'll smash it."
The pair promise they will take the toy car to Show at his concert.
Many netizens expressed their jealousy at the girl's wealth.
Source: Cnr.cnChina March 6, 2013 - JACKIE CHAN BLOWS HIS TOP If Jackie Chan (成龙) hadn't become an actor, he might've worked at a hair salon and given some great blow jobs in his career.
Yes, the martial arts and action movie star — now shampoo spokesperson — says he's pretty awesome with the blowing and he's done it to several of his co-stars.
Brigitte Lin (林青霞), Liza Wang (汪明荃) and his wife, former actress Joan Lin (林鳳嬌), 59, have all been on the receiving end of his beauty shop talent.
"I enjoy blow-drying women's hair and I'm good at it," said 58-year-old Jackie. "I've done it for several actresses, but the most has been for the most important woman in my life, Joan."
Jackie added that blowing these women's tresses brought back memories of when he used to blow-dry his late mother's locks, the first woman to enjoy his service.
"My mother had long hair and I enjoyed blow-drying her hair when I was young," he told reporters at the shampoo event in China.
He proceeded to demonstrate how he would use a hair-dryer on his wife, but admitted that it's been several years since he last gave her a good blow. "I've been busy flying around the world and there wasn't time to be with my family," he said before promising them, "I'll adjust my schedule this year."
As for his own mane, Jackie said he hasn't had a buzz cut since 1986 — and all because of a superstitious fear.
"I got a buzz cut once and right after that I got injured on the set [of Armour Of God] and nearly died," he said. "Since then everyone has told me not to cut it like that again."
But he was forced to revisit the hairstyle for his new movie, Police Story 2013, in which his character was required to sport a crew cut. "After reading the script, I decided that I was willing to shave my head again—but just this once."
Source: Daily ChilliChina March 6, 2013 - Kam Ze suffers from dementia, wheelchair bound Hong Kong veteran actress and Cantonese opera singer Lee Heung-kam has been suffering from dementia.
Lee Heung-kam suffers from dementia
The dreaded disease affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.
Sudden Weekly reported the 81-year-old has been on a wheelchair since last year, after she fell down at home three times in two months, fracturing her bones in the waist and thighs.
Last week, the magazine spotted Lee, better known as Kam Ze (Sister Kam), at the rehabilitation clinic of Hong Kong Polytechnic University for physiotherapy. She was accompanied by her granddaughter-in-law.
The actress has also damaged one side of her eardrums in a swimming accident. "I can't hear what you're saying," she told a reporter.
Kam Ze's health has been deteriorating in recent years. She fainted at the filming set while shooting Can't Buy Me Love in 2010, but that didn't stop her from acting until the following year, when her family forced her to retire.
Her last appearance on TV was in a 2012 commercial, which sees her playing football with a group of youths.
Lee joined the entertainment industry when she was just 16-years-old. She has made more than 550 movies and TV programmes over the past decades.
Source: Sudden Weekly
Published: 6th March 2013
- Korea's Barbie Doll Han Chae-young is pregnant
After six years of marriage, Han Chae-young, nicknamed the Barbie Doll of Korea for her good looks and perfect figure, is becoming a mummy for the first time.
The gorgeous Hallyu star announced that she is now 11 weeks pregnant. Despite that, the mother-to-be chooses to juggle work and pregnancy, stating that she will continue filming her scenes for KBS drama series Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek (currently showing in South Korea) for the next three weeks.
Nevertheless, she assured her fans that she would take better care of herself. The 32-year-old actress tied the knot with Korean-American finance expert Choi Dong-joon in Seoul, South Korea, in 2007.
She started her showbiz career in South Korea by playing an antagonist in the 2000 hit drama Autumn In My Heart. However, it was not until 2005 that she was propelled to fame with her playing a pretty high school student with a pleasant personality in Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang, a modern-day take on Korean folktale Chunhyangjeon.
Han, who was born in South Korea but grew up in America, was not contented being a Hallyu star. In 2011, she expanded her career by starring opposite Taiwanese heartthrob Blue Lan and Hong Kong funnyman Chapman To in 2011 Chinese comedy film A Big Deal. Later, she landed a leading role in the Chinese drama Dream In Blue.
In addition, she also had plans of venturing into Hollywood, as she had signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA)—the Hollywood leading talent agency that represents A-list stars like Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and Anne Hathaway—in 2010.
This year, Han makes her comeback to Korean television with Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek, playing an ambitious and glamourous art director willing to trade her love life and her past to climb the corporate ladder.
Source: The Liberty Times
Published: 6th March 2013 Only 27: 'Growing Through Life' star dies of cancer
Chinese actress Song Wenfei died of uterine cancer at her home in Guangzhou on Sunday. She was only 27.
Song Wenfei died of uterine cancer at the tender age of 27
Her close friend, actor Zhang Lingzhi, announced the news on Weibo. He later told an interviewer that Song had delayed treatment for several months due to work commitments.
By the time she took her illness seriously, the cancer cells had spread to other parts of her body.
Zhang said Song was first diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2011 but she kept working.
"Doctors suggested that she immediately have surgery, but she refused and returned to work after receiving treatment," she said on a programme on Shanghai TV.
In March last year, Song wrote on Weibo that she went to a hospital in Beijing because she was "increasingly worried" about her body due to "pressure from work and life".
Song was a graduate of a ballet school, run by the notable Guangzhou Ballet Troupe. She began acting in 2006 when she played a minor role in drama Jia Bi Tian Da (Family Is More Important Than Everything) but her career didn't advance any further.
She only got her second acting opportunity two years later, when she played a supporting role in CCTV's major drama In That Distant Place. However, it was the 28-episode Dancer the same year that shot her to fame.
The following year, she was given a semi-villain role as Ella Chok Yiu-kwan in Growing Through Life, a joint production of TVB and Shanghai TV. In the drama, she plays the ex-girlfriends of Hoi Sing (Raymond Lam) and Chung Lam Dai (Bosco Wong).
Song's death has aroused public awareness of uterine cancer.
Zheng Hong, a gynaecologist at Beijing Cancer Hospital, said cervical cancer and cancer of the uterus are the two of the most common types of uterine cancer. "Uterine cancer mostly occurs in women aged 50 to 60, and cervical cancer mostly in those aged between 40 and 50," she said.
"A woman should check her uterus annually. Those who have had sex should do a gynecological test. Those who haven't should get an ultrasound scan," added Dr Zheng.
Chen Wanqing, deputy director of the National Central Cancer Registry, said, "The past decade saw an increase in the disease, especially in urban areas, probably because people are exposed to sex earlier and tend to have more sexual partners," he said. "Sex became a main route for infecting the virus."
Source: China Daily; Agencies
Published: 6th March 2013- He's the boss: Ethan Ruan forms talent company
He's the boss: Ethan Ruan forms talent company
Taiwanese star Ethan Ruan is taking the future of his career into his own hands—as he will now be represented by his own talent agency.
Armed with 11 years of experience in the Taiwan showbiz, the movie heartthrob has formed Daybreak Entertainment, a talent management company, with his mentors, famous Taiwanese director Doze Niu Chen-Zer and veteran actress-movie-producer Lee Lieh.
The company will be responsible for planning and managing Ethan's showbiz career.
The boyish model-turned-actor, who returned to the entertainment scene early this year after completing his one-year compulsory military service, said Doze and Lee are like parents to him.
Forming Daybreak Entertainment with the two "is like forming a family", said Ethan, 30. He described Lee—the ex-wife of Taiwanese heavyweight singer Lo Ta-yu—as "gentle and kind", while crediting Doze, 46, for being a mentor when it comes to his acting career.
The filmmaker had played a crucial role in Ethan's career, encouraging him not to give up in those days when Ethan was a less-known actor compared to fellow model-turned-actors like Joseph Cheng and Mike Ha.
"He told me to 'wait a little longer'," recalled Ethan, who eventually rose to become the nation's most popular male idol when he landed the leading role in 2008 idol drama You're My Destiny.
Since then, Doze had directed Ethan on the set twice, first in triad flick Monga and later, in star-studded romance film Love. It was the former that helped Ethan make the successful transition from an idol to a serious actor, as he bagged the award of Best Leading Actor at the 47th Golden Horse Awards in 2010 for his performance.
Ever since Ethan's contract with Catwalk Modelling Agency ended in January last year, his future direction had been a topic of speculation by the Taiwanese media. However, it was not until he completed his military service in January that he started pondering about his future and eventually decided to form his own talent agency.
With himself being the biggest—and only client—in the company right now, many wondered whether the trio would try to rope in Tiffany Hsu, Ethan's longtime girlfriend who is also a celebrity in Taiwan.
However, Ethan was not keen on the idea, saying that it would be unfair to Tiffany for her to be associated with him all the time.
Lee echoed him, saying that there was no plan of signing with the Italian-Taiwanese model-turned-actress right now.
"Ethan and Tiffany are already so closely linked in their private lives. There's no need for them to be associated to each other in their professional careers," she explained. (Tiffany, 28, is represented by Catwalk Modelling Agency.)
Also, marriage is taking a backseat for Ethan right now, as he and Tiffany have a string of plans and targets to complete, he said. However, he did not dismiss the possibility of them tying the knot "someday".
"I would like to be with her forever. I believe she feels the same, too," he said.
Source: CNA News
Published: 6th March 2013
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