Thai actor excited to meet Filipino fans

MANILA, Philippines – After much speculation that he is coming to the Philippines, Thai superstar Mario Maurer finally confirmed that he will visit the country soon.

In an exclusive interview with “The Buzz” aired on Sunday, Maurer said he will come to the Philippines to endorse a local clothing brand. He also said he is looking forward to meet his Filipino fans.

“I have to go to the Philippines to meet my fans because I have to go for Penshoppe. I will meet my fans there,” he said.

Furthermore, Maurer revealed that he would love to star in a romantic movie along with a Filipina actress.

“Doing a movie outside of Thailand, I think, is a very cool opportunity...I never expected that I’m going to get famous in the Philippines or in China or Taiwan,” he said.

Asked for the qualities of a girl that he likes, Maurer said: “Sweet girl. I like a happy girl or funny girl. I like girls that dress up very nice.”

Maurer was born in Thailand on December 4, 1988. He started modeling at the age of 16 .

From then on, he began to star in numerous movies. His acting has also been recognized by many award bodies.

Last year, Maurer did a film titled “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”

The Filipino series adaptation of this movie paved the way for him to capture the hearts of the Filipinos.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/07/11/thai-actor-excited-meet-filipino-fans

Peter Chan reveals the secret to Takeshi Kaneshiro's success

Taiwan-born heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro is one of the biggest stars in Asia and has melted the hearts of countless movie-goers throughout the world.

But why is he so successful?

Hong Kong director Peter Chan has worked with Kaneshiro on "Perhaps Love", "Warlords" as well as his latest flick, the martial arts film "Wu Xia", and the 48-year-old director believes he has it all figured out.

Chan told channelnewsasia.com that Kaneshiro is a very special sort of star whom people found naturally appealing, regardless of gender.

Women love him while men could identify with him without feeling threatened.

"Kaneshiro is handsome of course. There are a lot of handsome men around but there are few [like Kaneshiro] who are handsome and yet not annoying to other men.

"You need to be handsome and give off this introverted 'feeling' so men will let their guard down, plainly put - so men won't think you will snatch their girlfriends," Chan said with a chuckle.

Chan likened Kaneshiro's appeal to American actor Robert Redford's universal likeability.

Even though a lot of people said Brad Pitt looked like Redford, Pitt lacked a certain humility that make Redford look less threatening to male audiences, so Redford's charm still gave him an edge over his look-alike.

"Takeshi Kaneshiro is a rare talent who is so handsome yet you don't feel he is threatening."

"This could be the result of him being very introverted and very concerned about what people think of him."

"He gives people the feeling he is insecure and has a certain kind of disarming vulnerability about him," said Chan pensively.

The director went on to reveal that Kaneshiro was very much like himself – both men were "insecure" and "perfectionists".

Chan added it was these similarities and Kaneshiro's broad appeal that made him repeatedly cast Kaneshiro in his films.

CNA
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1145196/1/.html

Ariel Lin to stop acting in dramas





Many speculated that Taiwanese actress Ariel Lin's health was deteriorating when she suddenly announced that she would stop acting in dramas.

Yesterday, Ariel, who suffered from a pituitary sella cyst two years ago, said that she would be reducing her future workload and had no plans of releasing another record.

While some speculate that the actress may be sick again, others questioned if she had made the decision in the name of love.

Ariel clarified that her ailment is untreatable and may recur even after surgery. Heeding her mother's advice, Ariel decided that her family is more important.

"I still love to act, but my health condition is not as good as it used to be. I think I should work within my health limit and set aside some time for people who are important to me," Ariel said.

When Ariel was filming her new drama series I May Not Love You in April, the actress had frequently fallen ill with tonsil inflammation because of the hot weather and her slow metabolism rate.

"It's tough to be the female lead for a drama series. It's like going through military boot camp, where [one's heart and soul] cannot have proper balance," the actress described.

Ariel's boyfriend Cheng Jia Yao had been visiting her on the set constantly.

When asked if she was departing showbiz because of love, Ariel laughed, "I merely wanted him to understand my job. After all, he may be my family member in future."

However, the actress wished for privacy when it came to marriage.

"I've always lived up to everyone's expectations throughout the years. When it comes to [marriage], I may want to be a little selfish," Ariel said, suggesting that she would not be having a high-profile wedding.

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4997454

Wu Chun not secretly married with kids, says manager

Channel News Asia

TAIPEI: Taiwan actor Wu Chun's manager Lu Shu Juan, spoke out against recent media reports that claimed Wu is already married and has a 4-month-old daughter, on her micro blog on Wednesday, reported Taiwan media.

Many were convinced by the reports as they were accompanied by photographs of Wu in a car, with a woman who is allegedly his wife, as well as the accounts of Wu's neighbours, who said it was "an open secret" that Wu is a married man.

However, Lu flatly denied these rumours.

"The person in the picture is Wu's sister-in-law! They even got the name wrong!" Lu explained.

Lu added that it was impossible for Wu to have started a family as he had been very busy shooting movies and working on drama serials.

"He is flying around every day, where would he find the time to get married?" said Lu, pointing out that Wu had always been quite the workaholic.

-CNA/ha

Takeshi Kaneshiro has fun with close combat



courtesy of takungpao.com


Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) and Peter Chan Ho Sun yesterday attended a forum at the Beijing People's University. During the event a duel between Gum Sing Mo and Jiang Wu from WU XIA was shown. Actually this scene was removed from the Mainland release, thus yesterday it was a special screening. The event also arranged for three students to perform mountain folk songs to coordinate with the story in the film.

This duel was almost too much for Gum Sing Mo. he had to stand in water for hand to hand combat with Jiang Wu but also had to wield his umbrella as a weapon like acrobats. Luckily action director Yen Chi Tan was on hand to direct. With his natural talent he was able to complete this scene sooner than he expected.

However during the shoot, Gum Sing Mo slipped and fell into the water several times. He almost "poked" Wu Jing in the eye during close combat. Luckily Jiang Wu was fast enough to dodge it. Even Chan Ho Sun was sweating bullets. Gum Sing Mo said, "This fight scene is truly satisfying for me. I consider it as some wu xia fun! Of course I have to thank Yen Chi Tan. I appreciate him very much. He not only has to perform but also handle the action part. I deeply experience his spirit for perfection. No matter how tough it got he would always do his part to its best. No wonder everyone say he is the strongest in the universe."

In another needle to the neck scene, Gum Sing Mo revealed that he has always been somewhat resistant to needles. However he realized that this scene was very key so he toughed it out. The team hired an acupuncture specialist to be on hand to direct. Gum Sing Mo recalled, "That practitioner gave me very detailed explanation and demonstration, so I very quickly understood how and where to apply the needle. I could accept and too afraid about applying it not too deep on the neck. I only wanted to finish sooner so I don't have to keep looking at those needles that make me uncomfortable."