Asian Stars

Wu Chun-Taiwan Male Artist

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:02:00 +0000

Wu Chun, real name Goh Kiat Chun, was born in Brunei of Chinese descent. He was discovered when he traveled to Taiwan and was asked to become a main character (despite his then-lack of Mandarin fluency) in the Taiwanese drama Tokyo Juliet, with which he shot to fame. Later, he also joined the popular Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit. Prior to entering showbiz, he was a model and fitness instructor. He graduated from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and later opened his own gym Fitness Zone back in Brunei. In 2006, he starred in Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu which was one of the top rating dramas and has seen his popularity soaring Asia-wide.

Profile * Name: Wu Chun (Wu Zun) * Real name: Goh Kiat Chun * Profession: Actor, singer, and model * Birthdate: 1979-Oct-10 * Birthplace: Brunei * Height: 181cm * Weight: 73kg * Star sign: Libra * Blood type: O * Family members: Dad, older sister, older brother * Music group: Fahrenheit * Talent agency: Comic International Productions Co., Ltd. TV Series * Lan Qiu Huo as Wu Ji Zun (CTV, 2008) * Romantic Princess as Nan Feng Jin (CTV, 2007) * The X-Family as Huo Yan Shi Zhe (GTV, 2007) * Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu as Zuo Yi Quan (CTS/GTV, 2006) * Tokyo Juliet as Ji Feng Liang (GTV, 2006) * KO One as Tian Hong Guang (GTV, 2005) TV Show Theme Songs * Fahrenheit & S.H.E – Xin Wo, Romantic Princess (2007) * Fahrenheit – Chu Shen Ru Hua, The X-Family (2007) * Fahrenheit – Bu Hui Ai, The X-Family (2007) * Fahrenheit – Chao Xi Huan Ni, Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu (2006) * Fahrenheit & Hebe – Zhi Dui Ni You Gan Jue, Tokyo Juliet (2006) * Fahrenheit – Yi Ge Ren Liu Lang, KO One (2005) Others * Education: RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia (Major in Business Administration) * Languages: Mandarin, English, Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese * Record label: H.I.M International Music

Chow Yun Fat-Veteran Artist

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:49:00 +0000

Hong Kong male artist Chow Yun Fat was born in Lama Island on May 18, 1955. He left the island at 16 for the Kowloon Peninsula, where he drifted from from job to job - bell boy, waiter and many others before landing work as an extra at Hong Kong´s largest TV company, TVB. Then Chow Yun Fat enrolled in the actor´s training program, which was to lead him to appear in over 300 hours of television. The most successful of these shows was a series called Shanghai Town which was to make him a household name throughout South East Asia.

In 1977 and 1978 Chow starred in two unexceptional "gigolo style" movies for Golddig Films whilst remaining a major TV star. After churning out endless hours of comedy, drama and swordplay appearances for television, Chow was approached by critically acclaimed director Ann Hui to star in The story of Wu-Viet. It was not only a great critical success but also remains one of Chow´s own favorite pictures. Despite featuring roles in numerous movies which followed, the mass acclaim which he had gained from his television appear- ances continued to elude him in the cinema until 1986, when Tsui Hark and emerging director John Woo enlistedChow for A Better Tomorrow. It was intended to relaunch the career of Chow brother´s veteran actor Ti Lung as well as to introduce pop idol Leslie Cheung to Hong Kong´s cinema audiences. Although not first choice for the role of Mark, Tsui and Woo insisted,and Chow Yun Fat took the lead in what was to become one of the biggest box office hit in Hong Kong film history. His future, as well as that of John Woo, was established. The image that Chow projected - long black coat, Ray Bans, matchstick caught in a selfdeprecating killer´s grin - was cool, charismatic and captured the audience´s imagination. This was also the birth of the classic Chow two-gun-toting outlaw stance. Despite very healthy box office receipts, the sequel did not please John Woo, and the subsequent Proquel was directed by Tsui Hark. Chow had, by this time, been exploiting his gangster persona for other directors. He received Taiwan´s Golden Horse Award for best actor in Ringo Lam´s seminal City On Fire (1987). He became one of the East´s hardest working actors, starring in many excellent films including Hong Kong 1941 (1987); Love Unto Waste for director Stanley Kwan; Triads: the Inside Story for Taylor Wong (1988) and his own Favorite, Autumn Tale for Cheung Wun Ting. In all these films Chow´s extra ordinary dramatic range was made abundantly clear. In 1989, reunited with John Woo , Chow´s international reputation was finally secured with The Killer, an astonishing parable of violence, betrayal, vengeance and redemption which relied heavily upon the chemistry between director and leading man. Following this he took the role of idiot savant in Wong Jing´s God of Gamblers, which spawned a host of imitations. He then returned to work with Woo on Once A Thief, a dynamic action comedy, before the pair spent almost a year between 1991 and 1992 making the high-calibre shootout flick Hard Boiled, which has brought the director long overdue international recognition. While Woo relocated to Hollywood to make Hard Target, Chow rejoined Ringo Lam to make Full Contact, a grittily violent film which showed him in leaner, meaner form. The colourdrenched shootouts and explicit yet stylized violence once again rejuvenated the stagnant gangster genre. Since then Chow has starred in Treasure Hunt (1994), an odd hybrid of comedy and crime story which does see him briefly exhibit his cool, charismatic style on the right side of the law for once; and he after that completed the official sequel to God of Gamblers, directed by Wong Jing, and in 1995 he starred in the Woo produced gangster movie Peace Hotel. He is know making his American debut with The Replacement Killers (1997).

Wan Siu Lun-Hong Kong Star

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:39:00 +0000

English Name : Deric Wan Siu Lun

Ethnic Name: Wan Siu Lun/溫兆倫

Birthdate: November 18, 1964

Birth Place : French Hospital HK

Weight:141LBS

Height :177CM

Vision : 200 Short Sighted

Family Member : Grandmother, Parent, Sister & Brother

Hobbies :Fishing, Authoring, Writting

Favorites...

Best Cook Food : Spicy Fried Rice

Fragrance : Christian Dior

Cosmetic : Shu Eumera

Artist : Jacky Cheung, Michael Jackson

Song : Goodbye Yellow Brick Rood﹜Daddy's Home

Sport : Swimming, Badminton, Bowling, Fishing, Snooker

Food : Ice Cream, Taiwan Sausage, Japanese Food, Seafood

Pet : Puppy

Color : Black and White

Hairstyle : Long but stylish

Collections : Watches, Shoes

Season : Autumm

Festival :Christmas

Actress/Actor : Sharon Stone , John Lone

Jewellery : Watches

Entertainment : Movies

Flower : Red and white rose

Reading Material : Car Magazine, Novel

Album Song : I Can Wait

Movies : Dragon Year, Black Rain

Thing : My Cars

People : Myself

Own-Written Song : You Bring My Woman Away

Bowie Lam Bo Yi

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Name: 林保怡 / Lam Bo Yi (Lin Bao Yi)

English name: Bowie Lam

Profession: Actor and singer

Birthdate: 1965-Sep-14

Height: 178cm

Weight: 73kg

Star sign: Virgo

Chinese zodiac: Snake

Blood type: B

Top Asian Star Andy Lau

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Top Asian Star Andy lau was born on September 27, 1961 in Hong Kong is a Hong Kong famous male artist. Although top asian star Andy Lau Tak-Wah is now a very famous actor and singer around Asia, he was born to a poor family in rural town Taipo in New Territories, Hong Kong. For two years, 10-year old Andy had to wake up early at 3 am to make eight trips everyday to fetch water for his family. It was not until 1980 that Andy sign up for TVB's 10th Acting Academy and became an actor. He also started his singing career in 1985.

Born Tak-Wah Lau into a life of poverty, Andy entered TVB's 10th Acting Academy in Hong Kong when he was about 18 years old (in 1980), beginning his career on a television series. Not content, though, he soon discovered film – or rather, the world of cinema discovered him. After landing a couple of bit parts, he got his first lead role in 1982's Lit Ying (Boat People) – the film's success entrenched Andy's status as popular movie star. Continuing to act both for film and television, he became one of TVB's prestigious Five Tigers, along with four other actors; but by 1988, Andy left TVB to work exclusively in film. That year he was nominated for Hong Kong's Golden Statue Award for his role in Wong Kar-wai's As Tears Go By. His career took a meteoric turn, and by 1995 he made a hugely popular film, Full Throttle, which was to become his highest-grossing box office hit. With over 90 films to his credit, Andy is nothing short of a sensation – his newest films, Love on a Diet and Full Time Killer, premiering next week, show that Andy Lauis not slowing down anytime soon. Andy Lau has a second, and equally prosperous career as a musician, which he began in 1985. With countless albums in Mandarin and Cantonese, he's also done compilation albums and soundtracks, and has completed a Karaoke and VCD collection. He's also a big Elvis fan, and cherishes a large collection of the American legend's CDs. A role model like The King himself is surely a tough act to follow, but Andy Lau, also a film star and musician extraordinaire, has done the seemingly impossible. Move over Elvis!

Stephen Chow-Comedy Artist

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Comedy's artist Stephen Chow Sing-Chi was born in Hong Kong in June 1962. His childhood was comparatively gentle,and he was fascinated by BruceLee, much like other children his age. Stephen Chow was 9 years old in1971 when Bruce Lee's triumphant Hong Kong film, "The Big Boss"debuted. This was Bruce Lee's introduction to the movie-going public inHong Kong and it was huge hit. Many children in Asia and around the world looked up to Bruce Lee, and Stephen was no different. Because Stephen respected Bruce Lee, he began to study martial arts. And it issaid that Stephen's friends were sometimes made to call him "smalldragon." In 1982, after graduating high school, Stephen and his friend Tony Leung Chui-Wai auditioned for TVB (a television station in HongKong) acting school, but Stephen didn't make the cut. However, he became a student of the night class by an acquaintance's introduction.Waise Lee Chi-Hung, of "A Better Tomorrow" fame, was a fellow classmate. The next year, Stephen was singled out to be the master ofceremonies of the children's program "430." Stephen was not fond ofchildren and this made it very difficult for him, but he took anunusual.attitude and faced a child in the program. His behavior became popular and he worked on this show for five years. He went on to variety programs and so on for several years after that, and gained more popularity and moved more to small parts from the "life trip" to the drama. At this time, Stephen worked with Alex Man Chi-Leung and learned acting tips from Alex's advice. (Stephen played with Alex Man Chi-Leung in his movie debut, "He Who Chases After the Wind.") In 1988, Danny LeeSau-Yin (actor/director/producer whose most famous role is that of Chow Yun-Fat's cop pal in John Woo's "The Killer") cast Stephen for one of the leads in the movie "Final Justice." Stephen went on to win the Best Supporting Actor award of the Taiwan Academy Awards. It was his first film. His "Sit down, and drink tea, and eat even a manju" saying became popular. Stephen appeared in both movies and TVB dramas for a while. His film parts increased gradually. At last , 1990's "All For The Winner" (a parody of Chow Yun-Fat's "God of Gamblers") was a huge hit. This film went on to break the Hong Kong box office record. After the runaway success of "All For The Winner," Stephen's films consistently ranked at the top of the box office. In fact, Stephen Chow is the number one top-grossing Hong Kong film actor of the 1990s. In comparison, by total box office, Jackie Chan takes 2nd place, but Stephen's films outgross Jackie's by as much as double. And Stephen made 29 films from 1990 to 1993. Stephen's performance style at the time of "All for the Winner" was called "Mo-Lei-To," which translates as "Makes No Sense." This style established his popularity in the 90's as a comedy actor. His roles ranged from high school undercover detective in 1991's "Fight Back to School," period lawyer drama in 1993's "Justice, My Foot!" and period comedy in 1993's "Flirting Scholar." Stephen accomplished a great success at the box office, winning top spot for four consecutive years in Hong Kong . Of the above 3 films, only "All For the Winner" has been released in the theatres in Japan.

In interviews, Stephen has expressed interest in other aspects of the production of his films, taking on a role more than just as an actor. He challenged the first director of his James Bond spoof "From Beijing with Love" (1994). He became more concerned with the production side of moviemaking with the "Chinese Odyssey" films, his telling of the "Journey to the West" story. He co-wrote and co-directed two of his recent films, "Forbidden City Cop" (1996) and "God of Cookery" (1997). However, it is a recent thing for his films to be introduced in Japan. Only 14 of his 47 films are available on video in Japan, and only half have been released in the theater here. In 1997, he became a hot topic with the success of "God Of Cookery." His popularity is set to explode soon. Stephen visited Japan three times formally in 1996, for the Yu-bari Fantastic Film Festival in February and the Tokyo International Film Festival in October. and He came agin in March 2002 for prompotion of Shaolin Soccor.

Top Male artist-Aaron Kwok

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:22:00 +0000

Top Male artist Aaron Kwok Fu-Shing (Chinese: 郭富城; Pinyin: Guō Fùchéng; Cantonese: Gwok3 Fu3 Sing4; born October 26, 1965) is a popular Hong Kong singer and film actor. The Chinese media refer to Aaron Kwok, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings. He's been dubbed "Hong Kong's Michael Jackson" for his onstage dancing displays.

After graduating from secondary school, Aaron Kwok worked as a junior staff in King Fook Gold & Jewellery Co. Ltd. as his father wished for him to gain experience in the business with the view of handing over the family business, a small gold retail store. However, in 1984, Aaron Kwok joined a dancer training course at HK-TVB, where his talent for dancing was immediately recognized. There, Aaron Kwok performed in music videos and variety shows. In 1985, Kwok's outstanding performance in a pageant show was spotted. He was transferred to the acting department of the talent training course and became a TV actor, where he played a few bit parts in TV dramas. Fame came calling when he became a toyboy for a rich widow and was recommended for works like a Taiwanese motorcycle advertisement in the early 1990s, and he burst into the music scene with his now famous song 'Loving You Forever'. The next few years saw his popularity reach fever-pitch, and he was soon ranked alongside the most popular artistes of the time. Aaron Kwok is presently one of Hong Kong and Asia's most prominent popstars. Over the last decade or so, Kwok has won over a hundred music awards. Aaron Kwok is also one of the Four Heavenly Sky Kings alongside Andy Lau, Leon Lai and Jacky Cheung. As a solo performer, he's played to over 200 sell-out concerts in Hong Kong, China, and around the world, and the choreography for his stage performances has won him international acclaim. Being a diverse artiste, Kwok has indulged in other mediums such as TV commercials and film acting, most notably in Andrew Law's The Storm Riders. Kwok has also done extensive public service and charitable work, for which he was amongst the winners of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Persons Award, 2003. Aaron Kwok's works have earned him a large following of fans, the respect of his peers and widespread popularity worldwide. Of all the performing arts at which Aaron excels, stage appearances remain his perennial favorite. In addition, Aaron Kwok has starred in various movies, television drama series and commercials. In 2004, a string of concert dates earned Aaron Kwok a Hong Kong Dance Award presented by the Hong Kong Dance Alliance. Due to this unfounded success, Aaron Kwok toured again in 2005, receiving praise from both critics and audiences. At the Taiwan's 42nd Golden Horse Awards ceremony on November 13, 2005, Kwok was the surprise winner of Best Leading Actor award for his role in the film Divergence. It was Aaron Kwok's first Golden Horse nomination and he pipped veteran Hong Kong star Tony Leung Ka-Fai to win the honour

Song Hye Kyo

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:50:00 +0000

Name: 송혜교 / Song Hye Kyo (Song Hye Gyo)

Nicknames: Woodpecker, Hejgyo, Yookgyo, Hakkyo

Profession: Actress and model

Birthdate: 1981-Nov-22 (legal birthdate: 1982-Feb-26)

Birthplace: South Korea

Height: 161cm

Weight: 45kg

Star sign: Sagittarius

Blood type: A

Talent agency: Sidus HQ

Song Hye Kyo (송혜교), also written as Song Hye Gyo, is a talented and beautiful Korean actress. At birth, it was highly doubted that she would be able to be live, therefore her birthday wasn't recorded until February 26, 1982 (Her real birthdate is November 22, 1981). She is one of the most well-liked and well-respected actresses of South Korea. Many rumors circulating possible plastic surgery have arisen.

She made her debut by winning the Grand Prize in model search in SunKyung Smart (school uniform brand) and in a Sunday morning drama called "Happy Morning" (KBS,1996).

Song's breakthrough came in the Korean drama series, Autumn Fairy Tale, in which she co-starred with Korean heartthrob Won Bin and Song Seung-hun. While this series was considered to be one of her better works, it has been criticized due to its unrealistic and sad ending.

During the filiming of a Korean poker drama entitled, All In, Song fell in love with co-star Lee Byung-Hun. They began a relationship which ended within a year. Song Hye Kyo said that it was the first time she had experienced true love, and that the experience would help her act in the future.

Her most popular role is that on Han Ji-Eun on the romantic comedy, Full House, in which she co-starred with Korean singer, Jung Ji-Hoon (better known as Rain). Rumors regarding the two romantically have surfaced.

Song Hye Kyo played the female lead in My Girl and I, her first movie role. She starred in Hwang-Jin Yi in 2007, portraying the title character. Incidentally, actress Ha Ji Won also played the same character in a TV series that aired around the same time as the release of Hwang Jin-Yi. In 2008, Song broke into the Hollywood scene in an indie film called Make Yourself at Home. The same year she also had a role in an unsuccessful TV drama (first one since Full House) and also started filming the movie 1949. Her full filmography is listed below.

Song Hye Kyo is also widely known in graphics communities after an Indonesian artist created a 3D image of her face.

Jang Nara

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:49:00 +0000

Name : Jang Nara / Born : March 18th, 1981

Height : 5.3" / Weight : 100 lbs / Blood Type : A

Family : Grandma, Dad, Mom, Brother

School : Chungang University

Hobbies : Cross Stitch, Watching Movies

Religion : Christian

NickName : Jang Nan Han Ya?(It means "Are You playing around?"), Tweety

Favorite Music : HipHop, Ballad, R&B

Favorite Musician : Park Jin Young, Park Mi Kyung, 1TYM, Faith Evans

Asian Stars Photo Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Hongkong Stars

Male	Female

Taiwanese Stars

Male	Female

Korean Stars

Male	Female

Japanese Stars

Male	Female

Aragaki Yui

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:25:00 +0000

Name: 新垣結衣 (あらがきゆい)

Name (romaji): Aragaki Yui

Nicknames: Gakky (ガッキー), Yuibo (ゆいぼ)

Profession: Actress, model, singer, seiyū and occasional radio show host

Birthdate: 1988-Jun-11

Birthplace: Naha, Okinawa, Japan

Height: 167cm

Star sign: Gemini

Blood type: A

Family: Parents and two older sisters

Talent agency: LesPros

Namie Amuro

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Name: Amuro Namie (Namie Amuro)
Japanese name: 安室奈美恵
Chinese name: 安室奈美惠
Birth name: Maruyama Namie
Birth date: September 20, 1977
Birth place: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Height: 158cm
Blood type: O
Family member: Son (named Haruto), a brother and two sisters
Profession: Singer

Amuro Namie started performing at the age of 12 in a little Okinawan supermarket. At 15, Amuro and 4 classmates from her acting school formed a group called the “Super Monkeys,” and their songs received some public interest in Tokyo. The Super Monkeys also attracted the attention of music mogul Tetsuya Komuro, who decided to mentor Amuro into a superstar. The remainders of the Super Monkeys were later reformed as a girl group “MAX” and achieved decent success of their own.

Tetsuya Komuro first production for Amuro, “Body Feels Exit,” exploded her into Japanese music scene. Amuro’s music dominated Japanese music charts and became Japanese music top seller in 1996.

Amuro Namie was not just famous for her music, but also her fashion & style. Amuro was a fashion icon among teenage girls with highlighted hair, thin eye brows, tan skin, short skirts and high boots. The trend (or followers) was named Amuras or Amuroers, and can still be seen everywhere in Asia nowadays. In late 1997, Amuro shocked her fans by announcing her marriage (and pregnancy) with Sam, dancer from popular band TRF, she gave birth to her child Haruto in May 1998.

In December 1998 Amuro made her comeback with single “I Have Never Seen” which debuted as a #1 hit. Things were however not the same again, although still very popular, Amuro was no longer the pop-diva that dominated Japanese music, facing fierce rivalry from then rising star Ayumi Hamasaki. In 1999, Amuro decided to make improvements with her music and worked with American producer Dallas Austin to bring more R&B into Japan music scene. Before she could produce anything, Amuro was shocked by terrible news that her mother (Japanese-Italian mixed) was brutally murdered and it slowed down Amuro’s ambition in her music career.

Amuro ended her collaboration with mentor Tetsuya Komuro in 2001 and in 2002 she shocked the Japanese music scene again with pseudonym “Suite Chic.” Suite Chic was an R&B project where Amuro worked with numerous Japanese R&B and Hip Hop artist to produce a few singles and an original album.

Amuro Namie divorced with her husband, Sam in July 2002. Suit Chic project was ended in 2003 with success and Amuro was back to solo. She released her first original album in three years, “Style” end of 2003, followed by series of singles and 2005 album, “Queen of Hip Pop.”

Amuro Namie is also famous for her annual concert tour, she only missed it during her pregnancy, and her concert never failed to attract full house of fans and audience.

Amuro Namie created another record in early 2007 for becoming the first ever artist to have a Top 10 Singles at ORICON chart for 13 consecutive years.

Jacqueline Ng

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:20:00 +0000

Utada Hikaru

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:17:00 +0000

Name: Hikaru Utada

Birth name: Iwashita Hikaru

DOB: January 19th, 1983

Place of birth: New York, USA

Height: 158cm

Blood type: A

Husband: Kazuaki Kiriya

Language spoken: English and Japanese

Profession: Singer and songwriter

Hikaru Utada is an American born Japanese pop-star, one of the most popular and multi-award winning singer-songwriter in Japan. Utada still holds the best selling album record with her debut First Love, which she released at age of 16. Utada’s growing environment allowed her to produce her first album at the age of 12.

Her first album, Precious, was released under pseudonym Cubic U. Precious was not a success in USA, but was later heard by a Japanese recording company; and Utada was invited to write her songs in Japanese instead. Hikaru Utada accepted the challenge and released her first Japanese single, Automatic in 1999. Her Japanese debut was a great hit, and Utada became the teenage sensation that’s been the talking point of Japan music industry.

Hikaru Utada then released her first album First Love, which sold over 8,000,000 copies in Japan, making it the all time best selling album in Japan, and still holds the record currently.

Hikaru Utada enrolled into Columbia University, USA in 2000 but didn’t graduate in the end because of her busy music career and some health problems. Hikki went on to release her 2nd and 3rd album, Distance and Deep River. Hikaru Utada then surprised her fans with her marriage to Kazuaki Kiriya in 2002, a photographer she worked with numerous times.

Hikaru Utada released an English album, Exodus in 2004, which only received decent success. Hikaru Utada released her 4th Japanese album, Ultra Blue in 2006.

Kyoko Fukada

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Name: 深田恭子 (ふかだきょうこ)

Name (romaji): Fukada Kyoko

Nicknames: Fuka-kyon, Kyokorin

Profession: Actress, model, and singer

Birthdate: 1982-Nov-02

Birthplace: Kita, Tokyo, Japan

Height: 163cm

Weight: 45kg

Star sign: Scorpio

Blood type: O

Talent agency : Horipro

Kimura Kaera

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:11:00 +0000

Name Kaera Kimura

Japanese: 木村カエラ

Birthdate: October 24, 1984

Birthplace: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Ayumi Hamasaki

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:07:00 +0000

Name: Ayumi Hamasaki

DOB: October 2, 1978

Place of birth: Fukuoka, Japan

Blood type: A

Height: 156cm

Profession: Singer and lyricist

Hobbies: Piano playing, flowers arranging and drawing

Favourite food: Biscuits, cakes, chocolates and kimchee

Favourite actors/actresses: Nicolas Cage, Rie Miyazawa

Favourite movies: The Bodyguard, Betty Blue, and Leaving Las Vegas

Favourite singers: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Babyface, En Vogue, and Keiko (Globe)

Hot Ayumi Hamasaki is one of Japan most popular pop stars. Nicknamed Ayu, she has been the driving force of Japanese music arena for years, and holds multiple best selling records in Japan. Besides her music, Ayumi is also famous for her fashion sense. She has been the trends-setter for Japanese female youngsters, and Ayu even has her own brand of boutiques and fashion line.

Ayumi Hamasaki was raised by her mother and grandmother in Fukuoka, and had to start working as a model since she was 7. Ayumi didn’t finish her high school but chose to pursue full time modelling in Tokyo when she was 14. Because of her limited height, Ayumi didn’t make it big as a commercial model, and had to star in some low budget movies and TV dramas to make a living. Ayumi was using the pseudonym Kurumi Hamazaki back then.

During her ‘Kurumi’ period, Ayumi spent most of her days window-shopping at Shibuya and dancing at clubs in Roppongi; and somehow given a chance to release her first album, Nothing From Nothing in December 1995. The rap album had no promotion budget and was a total failure; Ayumi was released by her talent agency and back to her ‘normal’ life in Shibuya and Roppongi.

Ayumi Hamasaki was later discovered by Max Matsuura who works for recording company Avex Trax Label, while she was singing karaoke in Velfarre nightclub, which was owned by Avex. Ayumi joined Avex after being offered a contract by Max.

Ayumi Hamasaki then had to undergo vocal training in Tokyo and later New York to be shaped into a pro. It’s also during that period Ayu learnt about lyrics writing, and she still writes most of the lyrics for her song these days. In 1998 Ayumi released her 1st single with Avex, Poker Face that debuted #22 on the ORICON chart. Ayumi’s got her first ORICON Top 10 with her 4th single Depend on you. Ayumi Hamasaki was rising in fame, and it didn’t take her long to finally get the #1 spot on the ORICON charts, with her debut album A Song for XX, released on January 1, 1999.

Since then Ayumi has been enjoying great success as Japan leading pop singer, with countless best selling singles and albums. Some of Ayu’s popular albums include LOVEppears (1999), Duty (2000), I am… (2002), Rainbow (2002), My Story (2004), (miss)understood (2006), and Secret (2006).

Jun Matsumoto

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Name: 松本潤

Name (romaji): Matsumoto Jun

Nicknames: Matsujun, Junji, King [by all Arashi], Jun~Chan, Matsumoto~kun, Do-S

Profession: Actor, singer

Birthdate: 1983-Aug-30

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Height: 173cm

Weight: 58kg

Star sign: Virgo

Blood type: A-

Family: Older sister

Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment

Jin Akanishi

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:02:00 +0000

Name: 赤西仁

Name (romaji): Akanishi Jin

Nicknames: Bakanishi

Profession: Singer and actor

Birthdate: 1984-Jul-04

Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan

Height: 176cm

Weight: 64kg

Star sign: Cancer

Blood type: O

Family: Younger brother (Akanishi Reio)

Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment

Takaoka Sousuke

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Name: 高岡蒼佑

Name (romaji): Takaoka Sousuke

Also known as: 高岡蒼甫

Birthdate: 1982-Feb-08

Birthplace: Tokyo

Height: 175cm

Star sign: Aquarius

Blood type: B

Family: Wife/actress Miyazaki Aoi

Talent agency: Stardust

Lee Chae Yeon

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:30:00 +0000

Birth name: Lee Jin-Sook

Also known as: Chae Yeon

Born: December 10, 1978 (age 30)

Origin: Seoul, South Korea

Genre(s): K-pop

Occupation(s): Singer

Choi Ji Woo

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:23:00 +0000

Name: 최지우 / Choi Ji Woo

Real name: 최미향 / Choi Mi Hyang

Chinese name: 崔智友 / Cui Zhi You

Profession: Actress

Birthdate: 1975-Jun-11

Birthplace: Paju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea

Height: 175cm

Weight: 50kg

Star sign: Gemini

Blood type: A

Talent agency: Olive 9 Entertainment

Song Hye Kyo

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:14:00 +0000

Name: 송혜교 / Song Hye Kyo (Song Hye Gyo)

Nicknames: Woodpecker, Hejgyo, Yookgyo, Hakkyo

Profession: Actress and model

Birthdate: 1981-Nov-22 (legal birthdate: 1982-Feb-26)

Birthplace: South Korea

Height: 161cm

Weight: 45kg

Star sign: Sagittarius

Blood type: A

Talent agency: Sidus HQ

She made her debut by winning the Grand Prize in model search in SunKyung Smart (school uniform brand) and in a Sunday morning drama called "Happy Morning" (KBS,1996).

Song Hye Kyo is also widely known in graphics communities after an Indonesian artist created a 3D image of her face.

Eugene Kim

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:10:00 +0000

Name: Kim Yoo-jin, Eugene

DOB: March 3, 1981

Place of birth: Seoul, Korea

Height: 160cm

Religion: Christian

Languages spoken: Korean, English and Chamorro (Guam’s native language)

Education: Korea Kent Foreign School

Profession: Actress and singer

Boa

noreply@blogger.com (fang) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:07:00 +0000

Full name: Kwon Boa

Korean name: 권보아

Nickname: Kkamshi, Beat of Angel

DOB: November 5, 1986

Birth place: Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Height: 160cm

Blood type: AB

Religion: Catholic

Profession: Singer

BoA was discovered when she was 11 years old while accompanying her brother to an audition at SM Entertainment. Her brother didn’t make it, but BoA caught the eye of the talent scout instead.

BoA was trained for two-years before released her debut Korean album, “ID; Peace B” in 2000. The result was moderate, but enough to convince Japan’s Avex Agency to make a joint venture with SM to launch her career in Japan. BoA released a few singles before making releasing her full Japanese album, “Listen to My Heart” in March 2002. The album was a huge hit; and BoA became the first Korean artist to top the Oricon sales chart. Following Japan’s success, BoA launched her 2nd Korean album “No.1″ in April, which became one of the best selling albums of the year in Korea. BoA officially stamped her mark as an A-list pop star in the region, and she was just 16.

BoA’s popularity continue to grow across Asia over the years; she is one of only two artists to have six consecutive albums topping Oricon chart. Her popularity in Korea dipped a little though, probably due to her lack of focus at her homeland. It’s also a known fact that BoA is interested in acting. She voiced for Korean version of Animated film “The Hedge” in May 2006; there were rumours that she would be starring in a full movie, but SM has other plans in mind.

In September 2008, SM announced the plan for BoA’s American debut; she released digital single “Eat You Up” in October 2008, and her self-titled debut English album in March 2009.