Friday, March 20th, 2009
News Links: March 20th, 2009
GILLIAN CHUNG WATCH:
- Gillian Chung Yan-Tung continued her comeback this week with promotional events in Taiwan and Beijing.
- A report in today’s edition of Guangzhou Daily claimed that a Mainland car company has canceled a promotional event in Chengdu which was supposed to feature an appearance by Chung. According to the article, reaction to Chung’s “Be Tough” ad campaign has not been favourable so she is no longer wanted as a pitchperson. However, a spokesperson for the car company told Guangzhou Daily that the event was canceled because their new car line is not ready to be introduced.
- Reports also surfaced this week that Ah Gil is being offered a role in a Mainland television series based on the Jackie Chan movie THE MYTH.
- Finally, let the derisive jokes begin, there were reports that EEG is preparing a Hong Kong movie version of SEX AND THE CITY starring EEG properties Joey Yung Tso-Yi, Yumiko Cheng Hei-Yi, Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin and … {drum roll} … Gillian Chung Yan-Tung. As my SEX AND THE CITY viewing was limited to only the opening credits, I don’t know enough about it to make jokes but — based on discussion board reaction to this news — I know enough about the HK entertainment circle to know that this project may do more harm than good to Gillian Chung’s career.
IN PRODUCTION:
Peter Chan Ho-Sun: Star-Studded ‘Dark October’
GENERAL NEWS:
Taipei Times Pop Stop: Edison Chen, Taiwanese entertainment circle news
Rain ordered to pay concert promoter US$8m in damages
Yao Ming, Zhang Ziyi top Forbes Chinese celebs list: Channel News Asia article, CRIENGLISH.com article #1, CRIENGLISH.com article #2
Nine hottest Chinese women, courtesy of Complex magazine
“Red River” Takes Transnational Love Story to Screen
Mainland Actors to Be Allowed in in Taiwan TV Series
Zhang Yimou Launches Live Show on Tropical Island
MOVIE REVIEWS:
Variety reviews THE UNDERDOG KNIGHT (Liu Ye, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Ellen Chan)
DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION: Evolution is no solution, What happen, Chow?
FEATURES:
Joey Yung: ‘You’re not pretty enough’
Michelle Yeoh: Wall Street Journal Interview Excerpts
Zhang Yimou: Famous Chinese Film Director Says He’s an Artist, Not a Politician
PHOTO GALLERYS:
On the set with Yvonne Yung Hung: After giving birth to a child in 2007, Yvonne Yung Hung makes a comeback with a role in the Mainland television series 孫子大傳 (trans. THE GRAND LEGEND OF SUN TZU). Although she believes that being a mother is still her primary job, Yung feels that the baby is old enough now for her to take some work outside of the home. Zhang Fengyi (Cao Cao in RED CLIFF) stars in the series as Sun Tzu.
Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin: Sunny Charlene
KOREAN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
Jang Ja Yung suicide: Korean actress Jang Ja Yun found dead in home, Letter claims late actress was forced to have sex, Calls Growing for Overhaul of Showbiz ‘Slave Contracts
Korean entertainment falls outside of the purview of this blog but if this kind of thing happens in the South Korean entertainment circle — often considered more “pure and innocent” than other Asian entertainment industries — then you have to wonder what kind of shenanigans go on in Hong Kong.
