What's with pop stars? One hits wrong note, other takes wrong step

By Hu Deman (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-02 11:35

The "Charm of China" concert at the Bird's Nest on Tuesday was a full house, as guest performers Placido Domingo, Lang Lang and a cast of thousands joined diva Song Zuying on stage. The only hiccup was a momentary lapse for the "King of Mandopop" Jay Chou, who started singing in the wrong key while dueting with Song. While fans put this down to nervousness on the part of Chou, netizens reckoned he had been so busy filming new superhero series Pandamen that he had not prepared properly.

Many models and film stars insist they are single when in fact they are dating, in the belief that if fans knew they were unavailable they would be less popular. For example, Jerry Yan of the pop group JVKV (formerly F4), dated Taiwan's top model Lin Chi-ling for about four years, despite their protestations at the time to the contrary.

Lin has moved on and is now said to be feathering her nest in preparation for her marriage to toilet magnate Scott Chiu - which netizens are calling "Baby Voice meets Toilet Prince". But Yan, it seems, has not moved on. On a Life Show appearance earlier this week he appeared to beat himself up for letting Lin slip through his hands.

What's with pop stars? One hits wrong note, other takes wrong step

In what was a verbally acrobatic performance, Yan said, without mentioning Lin or admitting to a relationship with her, that he was at fault for the relationship ending.

"I was not good enough, confident, sweet, romantic, good at saying charming things, so the relationship naturally finished."

In what was a verbally acrobatic performance, Yan said, without mentioning Lin or admitting to a relationship with her, that he was at fault for the relationship ending.

"I was not good enough, confident, sweet, romantic, good at saying charming things, so the relationship naturally finished."

I guess it's true what they say: "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone."

Taiwan's self-proclaimed "King of Entertainment" Jacky Wu knows this only too well. He had previously told website Sina.com.cn, in March, that he would "permanently" retire from showbiz on Tuesday, June 30, so that he could spend more time with family and focus on his company that makes environmentally-friendly LED lamps.

Instead, the 46-year-old went into the studio and filmed some new shows, telling United Daily News: "My contract is not due to end for another six months, let's talk about it then."

Contrary to reports in the Hong Kong press that claimed its wealthiest citizen was unaware of the birth of his grandchild until two weeks after the event, a source close to Richard Li said his father Li Ka-shing was notified of the baby's birth at least six months before. The grandfather named the boy Li Chang-zhi. "Chang is the middle name shared by the third generation of the Li family, while zhi means autonomy, or self management." Richard Li gave his son the Western name, Ethan. The source added that only Richard and Isabella Leong are the ones who will decide on the marriage issue.