Hayate combats netizens’ criticisms

Last weekend, the manga adaptation “Hayate the Combat Butler” joined the Sunday idol dramas battle. Despite having a preexisting fan base from the manga/anime, netizens criticized lead actress Park Shin-Hye of being too chubby and George Hu of not being girly enough, veering away from the original characters too much.

“Hayate” is GTV’s first of its three collaborations with Korean actors and actresses; GTV chose Park Shin-Hye for the lead role in “Hayate” and the drama is already selling well overseas due to her popularity from the previous hit Korean drama, “You’re Beautiful”. However, after the first episode, fans expressed that they still couldn’t accept Park Shin-Hye in the role and were also displeased with the dubbing of her voice, commenting that it sounded too cartoon-ish.

Netizens also thinks that George Hu is too buff and manly and suggest that GTV should change the drama’s name to “K.O. Butler” to save itself from the criticisms. Collective fans of the original manga series have even created a haters’ facebook page for the live action; it linked a video which wrote, “What is this?.. Taiwan has never done well in adapting a Japanese manga…If you only want to watch good-looking guys and pretty girls in an idol drama, please get lost!”

Nonetheless, “Hayate” managed to pull in 1.27% in ratings (increased 0.5% from its predecessor). Amidst the debate between the manga fans and its viewers, some netizens commented, “It was really funny! Since I’ve never read the manga, I’m not going to compare it.” Other supporters said, “…Why are some people so selfish and keep saying that it has to be the same as the original? Why don’t they just cosplay and act in it themselves?”

GTV responded yesterday stating that although the drama is an adaptation, the production needs to keep the audience in mind. Since the butler (Hu) needs to protect his Missy (Park), by logic, he should be fit and strong. As for Park Shin-Hye, GTV believes her lively portrayal of the character can definitely satisfy the majority of the viewers.

Although losing 0.6% in ratings from the previous week, “Love You” continued its lead with 4.39%. “Mei Le, Go” followed in second with 1.56%. “Material Queen” debuted on Friday with less than 1%. Industry experts pointed out that there is an overall decline on last week’s idol drama ratings due to final exams.

Source: UDN
Translated by: fufu @ CpopAccess

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Cathy Tsui Gives Birth to Baby Boy

Former model and actress Cathy Tsui gave birth to a baby boy last week according to a statement released Tuesday by her and her wealthy husband, Martin Lee Ka Shing.

Former model and actress Cathy Tsui gave birth to a baby boy last week according to a statement released Tuesday by her and her wealthy husband, Martin Lee Ka Shing.

The couple shared a picture with the public of their newborn sound asleep.

According to the statement, the baby boy weighed in at 6 pounds and both mother and baby are in a healthy condition. All family members are very excited about the new arrival.

The arrival of her son makes 29 year-old Cathy a mother of three, as she also has two daughters aged two and four.

Cathy has reportedly gained a large amount of weight during her third pregnancy. The media have had their eyes on Cathy since early on Tuesday morning, speculating Cathy's immediate delivery at any moment this week.

The news has reached the headlines of a large amount of Chinese media, which all remark on the boy as being the heir to the family riches.

Source: CRIENGLISH
Credit: aZnangel @ AsianEU

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Tavia Yeung plays a cardiologist, need to learn proper surgical knife handling

Tavia Yeung, Kenneth Ma, Him Law and Mandy Wong attended TVB new series 36 Hours On Call costume fitting yesterday. Tavia joked that recently her 'career' has been changing a lot. She has now been a lawyer, doctor and teacher before, breaking 'the girl next door' image. Tavia said: "This time, it's pretty stressful because I'm portraying a cardiologist. I will first have to learn the ways to handle a surgical knife and electric drill before I can do it. When the time comes, there will be medical personnel around to supervise the set."

It was said Tavia will have to 'lead the newcomers' in this series, she said: "I don't think so, they have their own specialties. Actually, I have pressure when I put on this doctor's jacket, can't put up a surgical knife like I'm a kid. I have to learn about first aid and how to handle emergencies otherwise people will tease that I'm not professional." As one of the cast, Marcus Tin, was said to have worked as a doctor in the ER, Tavia expressed if she doesn't understand the language, she will ask him.

Tavia will soon be in court to testify on TVB General Manager Stephen Chan's corruption case. She said: "I want to get there early, and gossip about the prices other artists get to attend shows! (Hear about Mr. Chan's cohabiting relationship too?) I am just going to provide information about the jobs, other things I probably won't have the chance to listen. Besides, his personal business is not related to me."

Kenneth Ma also does not believe he'll be 'leading the newcomers'. He said: "In the series, there are many doctors in training, and TVB also needs new faces, so audience can have more choices." Kenneth will be playing a neurologist, he laughed: "Luckily, I'm a neurologist because I heard gynecologists have it miserable, and they lose all their 'feelings'! In the series, I have a relationship with Tavia and Mandy Wong. I even have intimate scenes with Mandy, thanks to the Producer that I get to kiss another new co-star."

Him Law was a guest for the Miss HK outdoor shooting earlier, and it was said he stole the contestants' limelight? He laughed: "Looking at the report now, it's not too bad. I wasn't said to have made mistakes, this time I'm just assisting the contestants for the shoot."

Source: Mingpao, On.cc
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU

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Sharon Chan's 'nude thief chase' scene gets 4 complaints

TVB series Ghetto Justice broadcast episode 16 on Monday. The episode was about Sharon Chan's role as Jing Jing, a prostitute, chasing a thief down the streets nude (performed by a stunts double). Another scene was Kevin Cheng and Myolie Wu's intense kiss and lust, the camera shots were very bold.

The Broadcasting Authority (BA) received 3 complaints , that the lead actor and actress lust scene is a bad influence on adolescents and children. The nude prostitute chasing thief down the streets scene was extremely morally offensive. TVB received 1 complaint on the same scene, being immoral.

Towards the complaints, Sharon is not unhappy about it. She said: "The scene received a lot of response after the broadcast. Many friends praised it was exciting, that they could feel my efforts and gave me support. I am very happy that I could portray a role with so much development."

Source: Mingpao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU

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Stephen Chan pockets TVB FaDans' earnings, asking them to attend events as his 'friends'

TVB General Manager Stephen Chan's hearing for his corruption case was held yesterday. The prosecutor reveals that in February of 2010, Stephen had both 'public and private uses' when he held his new book press conference. On the sponsor's contract, there was a set price to be paid to the TVB FaDans for attending the event as his guests. However, he hid this fact from the FaDans and just 'patted shoulders' asking the FaDans to participate in the event as his friend. As a result, the FaDans helped Stephen embezzle HK$300,000 of sponsor fees.

The prosecutor's representative, an experienced lawyer (Kwok Tung Ming) reveals yesterday that there are temporarily 58 witnesses to testify on the list. The prosecutor will first summon the sponsoring company's staff to the stand. Next, TVB executives, the 5 TVB FaDans (Charmaine Sheh, Sharon Chan, Tavia Yeung, Shirley Yeung and Skye Chan) and Wayne Lai will be summoned. It is estimated that the climax of the case will appear next month.

On March 11th, Stephen (age 51) was arrested with Idea Empire Advertising & Production Co. (Idea Empire) Director Edthancy Tseng (age 28) for corruption and conspiracy to defraud TVB by the ICAC. According to the prosecutor, at the time of the arrest, Chan was in his duplex unit apartment on Argyle Astrid street with the others who were arrested. This led to cohabitation suspicions.

When the hearing started, the Prosecutor pointed out that when Chan is out doing any type of public jobs, as TVB's General Manager, no matter what the fees are, he must report in writing to TVB for approval. Late 2009, Olympian City II Management Limited collaborated with TVB on the Olympian City Countdown to 2010 Spectacular show. Olympian City spent HK$1.3 million on sponsoring the show and requested for Chan and Wayne Lai to participate in the Be My Guest segment of the show. TVB agreed to this arrangement.

Meanwhile, Olympian City II bid another HK$160,000 through Idea Empire to hire Chan and Wayne Lai for the related segment of the show. When that segment in the show ends, Idea Empire will give HK$112,000 to Chan. However the Prosecutor said Chan never applied to receive that amount of money, while TVB did not know about Idea Empire and Olympian City II's agreement with Chan.

The Prosecutor also said Idea Empire published the new book Stephen 14.2 First Choice early last year (2010) and on February 7, 2010, the press conference was held in Olympian City. In December 2009 through February 2010, Chan started asking TVB artists Charmaine Sheh, Tavia Yeung, Shirley Yeung, Sharon Chan, and Skye Chan to attend Stephen's events for free, like the press conference for his new book; They were to attend the event as a friend of Stephen's and receive no pay. TVB Production Resources Director Virgina Lok agreed and allowed the 5 FaDan to attend the event.

But in reality, Idea Empire had already signed a contract with Olympian City on December 24, 2009. Idea Empire will ensure Olympian City appoint Charmaine, Tavia, and Shirley to attend the event as a condition for Olympian City to provide the space for free. Also, Idea Empire and Mabelle Diamond established an agreement that Mabelle will invest HK$300,000 to fund that event, but Charmaine, Tavia and the other FaDans must attend the event as a condition for their funds. TVB and the 5 FaDans did not know anything about their agreement.

Also, Edthancy and TVB's Business & Marketing department head, Wilson Chan (age 63) successfully got Melco PBL Jogos Hotel to spend HK$5.2 million to sponsor TVB's JSG Singer Anniversary 2009. However, they reported to TVB that Melco only sponsored HK$4.65 million. They also provided assistance to Idea Empire as well, asking Melco and TVB to provide HK$690,000 and HK$550,000 respectively to help fund Idea Empire's event logistics and transportation services. When the event ended, Wilson Chan demanded Melco to pay HK$5.89 million to Idea Empire. Idea Empire deducted the HK$690,000 and HK$550.000 from the sum and gave the remainder HK$4.65 million to TVB as the Melco sponsor fee.

Source: Mingpao
Translator: aZnangel@AEU

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Nicholas Tse and Charlene Choi have chemistry

Currently Nicholas Tse Ting Fung is working on THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) in Kuala Lumpur. For better sound recording and preventing actor disturbance from the crowd, the crew earlier put up boards around the set. On Sunday, Ting Fung will fly to Beijing to promote the Wong Jing film TREASURE INN (CHOI SUN HAT JANG). Because THE VIRAL FACTOR was heating up in its production, Ting Fung had to return on the same day. Reportedly Ting Fung would answer questions about his marriage at the press conference, fans even secretly formed "Fung Support Teams" to cheer for him at the event. Free tickets of the event turned into objects of speculation.

In the film he and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin played a couple and even performed a funny kiss in front of Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Huang Yi, rivaling the popularity of the buck tooth Ka Fai. Director Wong Jing said, "Ting Fung and Ah Sa are old partners, privately they are very close and have a lot of chemistry. I want Ah Sa to play a girl who just started in love. Seeing the Ting Fung played young master she immediately fell in love at first sight. Ah Sa's performance was very natural."

Wong Jing also praised Cheung Ka Fai's professionalism for appearing in the buck tooth ugly look.

Media Asia boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok yesterday attended an event. Rumors surfaced about Pak Chi asking for 50 million for a three year contract to join his company. Mr. Lam said, "Pak Chi indeed has been to the company to negotiate a contract because the company wants to ask her to make a movie." Would he considered signing Pak Chi? Mr. Lam humorously said, "Until this minute we still haven't talked about it, everyone know she has a lot of potential and they don't have to worry about her. Actually I want to sing her sons the most, so many people outsides want her sons. However they are too little, I think so far they may not be signed." As for recent contact with the "missing" Pak Chi, Mr. Lam said, "Everyone is looking for her. Hong Kong is very small, she will come out sooner or later."

Sources: mingpao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten

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HK Media: Edison Chen "AIDS" - Rumours Reason of Nick Ditching Cecilia

Hong Kong media have broke news that Edison Chen has contracted AIDS, once the news came out, all female that have been in contact with him are panicked, over 100 female celebrities went to the hospital for examination for a peace of mind, once the news is out there have been rumours that this was the cause to Cheung/Tse's marriage break up.

Hong Kong Media published news "Edison Chen Contracted of AIDS, 100 HK female celebrities panicking", this caused an uproar in the enterntainment industry, even though claims of Edison Chen having AID has not been proven yet, but it's been a heavy topic in the forums for netizens, from Apple Daily's reports, Edison Chen's management team are not responding to any gossip news.

Since the news broke, netizens are all speculating if the rumours are true and if Cheung/Tse's divorce is related, but it doesn't seem like it has affected the actual person Edison Chen, earlier he was photographed enjoying a meal with someone, next month he will be attending Taipei's international creative toys exhibition.

Source: YAM
Translated by: Cmiley @ AsianFanatics

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