Winners of the 46th annual Golden Bell Awards

Source: Appledaily, UDN
Written by: fufu @ CpopAccess.com

The 46th annual Golden Bell Awards ceremony just came to an end. Although Sonia Sui of "Fierce Wife" was the most anticipated win, it was Tian Xin of "Who's The One" who took home the award. Tian Xin expressed in tears, "I really never thought that I would win." She said in joy, "Hsiao-Yen told me before that I should keep acting until I win. Even though I've now won, I will still continue acting." She then shouted, "Everyone is welcome to come find me to act in dramas. I'm really priced economically!"

Here are the winners in major categories in bold.

Best Drama:
Somewhere Over The Sky (Hakka TV)
Fierce Wife (SETTV)
Scent Of Love (CTV)
The Invaluable Treasure 1949 (PTS)
Love You (Meng Tian Wen Chuang Jian Zhi)

Best Variety Program:
Big Party (CtiTV)
Million Primary School (TTV)
Super Taste (TVBS)
Tao’s Show (CTV)
Variety Big Brother (CTV)

Best Actor from a drama series:
Jin Shi-Jye / Invaluable Treasure 1949 (PTS)
Joseph Chang / Love You (Meng Tian Wen Chuang Jian Zhi)
James Wen / Fierce Wife (SETTV)
Will Pan / Endless Love (Ke Mi Fu Ya Chuan Bo)
Long Shao-Hua / DaAi TV: Roadside President (Tzu Chi Foundation)

Best Actress from a drama series:
Tian Xin / Who’s The One (TTV)
Sonia Sui / Fierce Wife (SETTV)
Xiu Qin / DaAi TV: I Love US Dollars (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Yao Han-Yi / Somewhere Over The Sky (Hakka TV)
Megan Lai / Invaluable Treasure 1949 (PTS)

Best Supporting Actor from a drama series:
Gu Bin / Somewhere Over The Sky (Hakka TV)
Lee Li-Chun / Scent Of Love (CTV)
Lee Wang-Luo / Monga Yao Hui (CTS)
Qu Zhong-Heng / Lian Lian Alishan (CtiTV)
Jack Kao / Scent Of Love (CTV)

Best Supporting Actress from a drama series:
Amanda Zhu / Fierce Wife (SETTV)
Ke Su-Yun / DaAi TV: Romantic Love (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Ma Hui Zhen / DaAi TV: Roadside President (Tzu Chi Foundation)
Janel Tsai / Fierce Wife (SETTV)
Su Ming-Ming / DaAi TV: Blissful Bluebird (Qi Zhi International)

Best Host for a variety program:
Li Jing / Super Idol (SETTV)
Hao Jiao Xiang Qi / Super Taste (TVBS)
Matilda Tao / Tao’s Show (CTV)
Chang Fei / Variety Big Brother (CTV)
Chang Hsiao-Yen / Million Primary School (TTV)

Wu Chun Celebrates 32nd Birthday With “Valiant Legend” Cast



October 10th was Wu Chun’s (吴尊) 32nd birthday. Wu Chun was currently filming Ronny Yu’s (于仁泰) new movie, Valiant Legend in the outskirts of Beijing. Since his presence was required in many scenes, Wu Chun was unable to take time off to celebrate his birthday with his family and remained in the Beijing area to work instead.

On Wu Chun’s birthday, he filmed scenes where the Yang family of warriors were besieged by their enemies. On the set were Adam Cheung (郑少秋), who played the Yang patriarch, Ekin Cheng (郑伊健) as the elder Yang son, Yu Bo (于波) as the second son, Vic Zhou (周渝民) as the third son, Liny Li (李晨) as the fourth son, Raymond Lam (林峰) as the fifth son, and Fu Xinbo (付辛博) as the seventh son.

The cast and crew of Valiant Legend planned a surprise party for Wu Chun and everyone was forbidden to wish him a happy birthday earlier in the day. A birthday cake was ordered in advance and the crew hoped to give Wu Chun a memorable birthday. The day’s filming took place at a remote desert location, which required several hours back and forth driving from the center of Beijing. In early dawn, a crew member picked up the birthday cake to deliver to the filming location by noon time for the celebration.
The plans for the surprise birthday celebration were implmented very successfully. Prior to lunch time, Wu Chun stayed on the set to film a close-up shot. Contrary to their normal routine, Adam Cheng and the other six “Yang sons” abruptly left to go eat lunch without Wu Chun, who was left alone with crew members. In fact, everyone waited by the studio door for Wu Chun to finish filming so they can surprise him with the birthday cake. When Wu Chun saw Adam Cheng and his other “brothers” gathered together singing a happy birthday song, he was surprised and very moved.

Wu Chun said happily, “My past birthdays were normally celebrated with my father at home. This year, I had to stay in Beijing to fim as recent scenes required the presence of all the cast members; I cannot have everyone wait for me to come back. Although my birthday was spent in the studio, I never expected everyone to celebrate with me. When I saw my father and brothers from the movie singing a birthday song, that moment felt really warm and touching! It was the first time I celebrated my birthday with so many brothers and crew members. Fortunately the size of the birthday cake was large enough to share with everyone!”

Normally loving to play the most, Ekin Cheng and Raymond Lam said, “Since we have filmed together for more than a month, we got along like real brothers. It was very difficult to hold back and not wish Wu Chun a happy birthday earlier in the morning. When it was lunch time, we had to pretend to leave without him. Normally, we would always eat lunch with him. When we saw Wu Chun’s expression upon holding the birthday cake, we knew that our plan was a big success!”

By Jayne on October 12, 2011
Credits:http://www.jaynestars.com/
Source: Sohu.com

Asian cinema dazzles at Busan festival

BUSAN, South Korea - Asia's top film festival drew to a close Friday after nine days packed with screenings that left audiences enthused over the future of the region's movie industry.

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) rolled out the red carpet to a cast of A-list stars and showcased more than 300 productions from all over the world -- but it has been the local films that have left cinema-goers buzzing.

"The standard of productions we have seen here this year has been outstanding," said Chinese director Yonfan, in town to head the jury for the festival's main New Currents award.

"It is an indication that Asian cinema is very healthy and there is a vast collection of very talented people out there making films today."

That talent pool was reflected in the 13 films from 12 countries which contested this year's New Currents award, which offers two prizes of $30,000 and is open to first- and second-time Asian directors.

While the money went to Iranian director Morteza Farshbaf's gripping "Mourning" and the languid family drama "Nino" from Filipino Loy Arcenas, the field was full of films that belied their makers' collective inexperience behind the camera.

The Mangesh Hadawale-directed "Watch Indian Circus" picked up the festival's audience award after delighting packed houses with its mix of comedy and savage social commentary as it followed the ups and downs of an impoverished couple as they find the funds to treat their children to a night out.

Away from the main award, Korean cinema was out in full force, with a wildly diverse collection of productions.

They included everything from the local box office smash "Sunny" -- a reflection on chances missed and taken in life -- to the bleak-but-brilliant animation "The King of Pigs", a nasty look at troubled modern youths that shows the genre can be worked for more than just light entertainment.

The 16th edition of BIFF began with the opening of the $140 million Busan Cinema Centre, a 30,000 square metre complex that boasts a spectacular LED-lit roof and a 4,000-seater outdoor theatre.

Festival organisers hope the facility will establish the city as a hub for both the screening and development of Asian film.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1159423/1/.html
The event opened with the heart-warming romance "Always", with Korean director Song Il-gon's film making its world premiere.

The night was almost stolen by local starlet Oh In-hye, whose "barely there" dress left the opening night audience with mouths agape and ensured her name was briefly the "most-searched" on the Internet in South Korea.

But the festival soon got down to the serious business of screening films, with 307 productions on show for a total audience of 196,177 people.

Among other highlights for fans was a master class held by French director Luc Besson, here to promote his biopic of the Myanmar activist Aung San Suu Kyi "The Lady", along with the film's star, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.

Besson gave an intriguing insight into the workings of the modern film industry and declared he could only survive by "working with Hollywood but never in Hollywood."

Yeoh's measured and mesmerising performance in "The Lady" had her audience whispering the word "Oscars" and the actress herself said it was a rare opportunity to play such a complex character.

"There are not many icons in our times, let alone a woman and let alone an Asian woman, so I am justly deeply grateful that I was given the chance to play this role," she said.

Several elaborate 3D productions including Japanese maverick Takeshi Miike's slow-burning "Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samauri" showed what can be done when you have money at your disposal.

But two Korean thrillers shot with 3D technology -- "Persimmon" and "A Fish" -- were well received by critics and audiences alike, showing what can also be done on a shoestring budget.

The festival's other main prize, Flash Forward, is open to young filmmakers from outside Asia and its $30,000 prize was picked up by first-time Italian filmmaker Guido Lombardi's "La Bas -- A Criminal Education".

"I think what makes this event unique is the audience involvement," said the director. "We had about 100 people stay for a Q&A after our first screening and they seemed to know all about us and all about cinema. There seems to be a real appreciation for cinema everywhere you go."

It was a sentiment shared by the legendary French actress Isabelle Huppert -- the Cannes award-winning star of "The Piano Teacher" (2001) -- here to screen her family drama "My Little Princess."
Huppert was left impressed both by the festival's new home and by the Asian films she was able to take in.

"This is a festival with a history of unearthing Asian talent and I am attracted to working in the region because there is a vitality here," she said. "There is a freedom to create here I don't think you find anywhere else in the world."

- AFP /ls

2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards will be held in S'pore on Nov 29

SINGAPORE: CJ E&M and MediaCorp VizPro International, the organisers of the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards (2011 MAMA), have confirmed that the prestigious awards event will be held in Singapore on November 29, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

According to a press statement from MediaCorp Vizpro International, the concept of this year's MAMA is "Music Makes One" and expresses a vision that music can connect the world together as one.

The awards show originally began as the Mnet Music Awards in 1999 and has been one of the biggest events on the Korean music calendar for the past decade.

In 2010, it was rebranded the MAMA and was held outside Korea for the first time in Macau before coming to Singapore in 2011.

Over 80 K-pop artistes, presenters and international performers attended the MAMA in 2010, which drew some 30,000 fans.

A spokesperson for MediaCorp Vizpro said the list of K-pop luminaries gracing 2011 MAMA is still "not yet confirmed".

However organisers revealed that attending stars will take to the red carpet at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 5pm to 7pm (Singapore time) that day, before the main show begins.

-CNA/ha

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1159445/1/.html

Rain enlists in Korean military

MANILA, Philippines – And he’s off to the military.

Asian pop star Rain enlisted in the Korean military Tuesday, leaving thousands of fans in despair and temporarily abandoning his showbiz career for his mandatory service.

The 29-year-old popular singer, whose real name is Jung Ji Hoon, reported this afternoon to the Uijeongbu 306 Reserve Troop Station in Geonggi Province in South Korea for his enlistment.

Rain will receive his basic military training at the camp after which he will be in active duty.

Rain met fans and the media briefly before entering the camp. He saluted and bowed and thanked the fans for coming.

About 1,000 fans from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and China are at the site to bid Rain goodbye. Fans arrived at Uijeongbu early morning Tuesday armed with banners and streamers proclaiming their support and love for their idol, adding that they will be waiting for his comeback.

Last Sunday, Rain held his free concert dubbed as “Last for the Best” for fans in Samseong in Gangnam, Seoul. Thousands trooped to the concert to see Rain perform for the last time.

On his Twitter, Rain announced that the concert would be aired on Mnet TV station after his enlistment.

Rain also visited his mother’s grave on Monday to pay his respect.

In the last 10 years, Rain has become one of the most successful Korean artists.

Early this year, Rain won the 2011 TIME 100 Poll readers’ choice as the No. 1 most influential person in the world, edging out the likes of Beyonce (No. 6), US President Barack Obama (No. 46), and Lady Gaga (No. 12).

Rain also became successful in acting on TV and films. He starred in the Hollywood films “Speed Racer” and “Ninja Assassin.”

http://mb.com.ph/articles/337369/rain-enlists-korean-military

‘The Kitchen Musical’ Asian TV Series Eyes US Debut

The Kitchen Musical, the exciting new Asian series (kinda like Glee and Hell’s Kitchen combined), is set to debut on US television after the show premiered strongly in the the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Emmy & Golden Globe Award-winning producer, Ben Silverman, who brought Ugly Betty and The Office to the US has also selected The Kitchen Musical for the same route. This is a first as formats are only brought back to the US after the show has performed well internationally.

The first Pan-Asian musical series, topbilled by our very own Karylle and Christian Bautista, debuted on seven countries, including ABS-CBN and Studio 23, in the region and 18 territories via AXN last Sunday, October 2.

The Kitchen Musical received rave reviews from viewers and instantly gained fans accross Southeast Asia that it became one of the trending topics on Twitter right after the airing of its pilot episode.

http://www.starmometer.com/2011/10/04/the-kitchen-musical-asian-tv-series-eyes-us-debut/

No baby pressure for Barbie Hsu

Barbie Hsu's mum speaks up for her daughter when quizzed by reporters of her suspected pregnancy


Ever since Taiwanese actress Barbie married Chinese millionaire Wang Xiaofei, there has been constant speculations of her pregnancy because of her sudden weight gain and her choice of loose clothing and flats.

A few days ago, a netizen spotted the actress at a hospital in Beijing. She held hands with her husband and appeared pregnant, fuelling speculations that she might have successfully conceived a baby.

However, when asked about Barbie's expectancy yesterday, the actress' mother denied the rumours and explained, "No, [Barbie is not pregnant]. Xiaofei has been under a lot of pressure lately, even his lips are chipped. Barbie was just accompanying him to see a doctor."

The matriarch also further urged the media not to give Barbie too much pressure.

"We'll share the good news when Barbie's pregnant. Don't put pressure on her. If the media stop asking, she will have less pressure; when there's less pressure, the possibility of conceiving is also higher," Barbie's mother said.

A staunch vegetarian, the PETA ambassador insisted on keeping to her vegetarian habits while trying for a child. To help condition her body and prepare it for her future pregnancy, Barbie's mother-in-law Zhang Lan, has been consistently feeding her with Chinese herbs. When the actress returns to her own home, her mother will also cook nutritious vegetarian meals for her.

News of Barbie's pregnancy may be rumours, but the 34-year-old's mum remains very optimistic of the situation.

"Barbie will become pregnant eventually, so long as she's young and healthy," she said.

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5341560

Adele cancels US tour due to illness

Adele has been forced to cancel her upcoming tour of the US due to an illness.

The 'Someone Like You' star has suffered a vocal cord haemorrhage. She was preparing to launch her US tour on October 7 after recently completing her shows in the UK.

New Jersey doctors told the singer that she needs more time to recover from the illness. She previously had to cancel several dates in the UK due to laryngitis.

Adele apologised to US fans in a statement, saying: "Singing is literally my life, it's my hobby, my love, my freedom and now my job. I have absolutely no choice but to recuperate properly and fully, or I risk damaging my voice forever.

"I have great confidence in believing you know how much this upsets me, how seriously I take it and how truly devastated and annoyed I am by this.

"Wanting to do something so bad and not being able to is the most frustrating thing as I'm sure you know! My voice is weak and I need to build it back up.

"I'm gonna be starting up vocal rehab as soon as [possible], and start building my overall stamina in my voice, body and mind. I will be back and I'm gonna smash the ball out the park once I'm touring again. I apologise from the bottom of my heart, sincerely I do.

"I know it's not only disappointing because of the show, but it's plane tickets, hotel bookings, birthdays, anniversaries and time wasted.

"But please have faith in me that this is the only thing I can do to make sure I can always sing and always make music for you to the best of my ability."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a343858/adele-cancels-us-tour-due-to-illness.html

Taylor Swift confirms "sad" new album for 2012

Taylor Swift has revealed that her new album will contain "sad" songs.

The star confirmed that the LP will be released sometime in 2012, and said that she has already written ten new songs for the record.

"They're sad, if I'm being honest," she admitted in an interview with The New Yorker, adding that her most recent track "is about moving on".

She explained that she sees singing as her main form of communication, saying: "I write songs, and my voice is just a way to get those lyrics across."

The new album will serve as the follow-up to 2010's Speak Now, which has sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide since its release last October.

The 21-year-old performer is currently on the North American leg of her world tour and was recently joined on stage by Nicki Minaj in Los Angeles and TI in Atlanta.


http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a344017/taylor-swift-confirms-sad-new-album-for-2012.html

'Harry Potter', Robert Downey Jr for Spike TV's Scream Awards 2011

Spike TV has announced the first of the presenters and recipients for the upcoming sixth annual Scream Awards.

The ceremony, which celebrates the best of sci-fi, fantasy, horror and comic books, will be taped on Saturday, October 15 at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr will accept the 'Hero Award', while Nicolas Cage will be on hand to receive the Maverick Award to "recognise his fearless and intriguing body of work", as well as premiering exclusive footage from the upcoming film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky, Fringe creator JJ Abrams and Let Me In actress Chloe Moretz have also been confirmed to attend.

Joining them are Harold and Kumar stars Kal Penn and John Cho , True Blood's Joe Manganiello, Doctor Who actor Matt Smith and Fringe's Anna Torv, with more to be announced in the upcoming days.

The broadcast will also feature a special farewell to the Harry Potter franchise as well as premiering new previews from Total Recall, The Woman in Black, Paranormal Activity 3 and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

"The superstars and superheroes who are coming to Scream this year do it because they love and appreciate these fans for their unparalleled passion. We have a lot of Scream-worthy surprises for the fans this year," said executive vice president of event production for Viacom Media Networks Entertainment Group, Casey Patterson.

The two-hour broadcast of the Spike TV Scream Awards 2011 will air Tuesday, October 18 at 9PM ET/PT.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a344052/harry-potter-robert-downey-jr-for-spike-tvs-scream-awards-2011.html