Ken and Angie on Sina's online chat
Date of chat: June 12, 2004

Translated by Amy of http://f4.azn.nu, http://f4ever.azn.nu. Please give the proper credits when posting this elsewhere.

Part 1

Host: Good afternoon everyone. I’m very happy that we were able to invite 2 guests. One is Taiwan’s famous producer Miss Angie Cai and the other is a very handsome idol actor Ken Zhu.

Today we are very happy that these two are participating in this chat. First off, I would like to ask Miss Cai to tell us a little bit about the recent situations.

Angie: Hello everybody.

Ken: Hello everybody.

Host: Who are you cooperating with this time?

Angie: We are actually working together with Zhong Shi. The filming sites will be Beijing, Tokyo, Xi Shuang Ban Na. It mainly talks about Ken being a photographer. He goes through the work and love process and retrieves a very original TV drama. We take this whole recycle and protecting the environment idea and put it into the story making everyone know the significance of protecting the environment.

Host: Ken has been named the “recycle ambassador” by Xi Shuang Ban Na. Many people are paying close attention to this.

Angie: Yeah, he’s the only one.

Ken: I’m very happy about this. I’ve always wanted to give something to spectators, some proper knowledge and concepts. I think environmental protection concerns everyone. Especially like the society we live in today because we’ve already been excessively using our resources. Many people forget to pay attention to their environment. It doesn’t matter how many resources you have for life because they are no use without the environment. Right now our rate of consumption is so big. Do you think we’ll still see these things in the next generation? I think it would be a pity if we couldn’t. I’m willing to lead in doing this.

Q: Ken, did you watch America’s new movie “The Day after Tomorrow?”

Ken: No, what’s it about?

Angie: The story talks about people not paying attention to the environment’s change which led to a disaster to take place in America. The Earth already entered a period of pathogenesis. The male lead passes through the disaster and aids everyone in passing this perdition. I think this movie has a very good theme to it.

In addition there’s a pretty good explanation in the movie. They ended up inside a library, which was very cold. They were afraid of freezing to death so they lit books on fire. Someone said that books were very important, even if it’s ordinary books they read. Moreover they suffered injuries during the disaster and they were able to find specific treatments from the books inside the library. Those books became their lifesavers. There was something interesting at the end. There was this librarian who had a very primitive Bible. He said that this was not to be burned no matter what. I think this movie is very interesting.

Host: When mankind civilization comes to an end, people won’t know this history, at least they can reserve a note.

Ken, what kind of movies to you like to see?

Ken: I’ve watched a lot of commerce movies in the past few years. Earlier there weren’t that many business things. Because I’ve been in this industry for a while, sometimes when I watch business things I’ve already lost this pleasure. Therefore I prefer to look for some rather penetrating things.

Host: Do you have any recommendations for your fans?

Ken: No, I think that "Tai Kong Man You" is a pretty good movie. But I need to be serious, you'll probably fall asleep watching this movie. (smiles)

Host: I'm sure that many people on the internet will pass this information on and they would see this movie.

Someone on the net said that Ms. Cai is very pretty. When you were just talking about "The Day after Tomorrow" it was really a perfessional's explanation.

Angie: Thanks.

Q: Ken's posture when drinking is so handsome. But your clothing really is very beautiful.

Ken: I bought this shirt when I was traveling once. It's not a name brand or anything.

Angie: Roughly 50 renminbi.

Host: Where'd you buy it?

Ken: In Thailand.

Host: I thought you made it yourself. (laughs)

Ken: I'm not that great.

Q: How long does it take to film?

Ken: 2-3 weeks. But this is my first TV series in China and the role is more serious. The pressure is actually pretty big. But it's also a good thing for me. Like when I use to film, when there aren't any parts with me in it, I would take a walk. Because I want to understand everyone's ideas and approach towards the story.

Host: This is how Ken feels from his point of view. How about you Angie? How do you feel?

Angie: As the producer, to me it costs a lot because in the past it was manufactured by our own company but now the actors come from all over the place. Some from Singapore, China, and a Japanese director that's studying abroad (or a director studying in Japan^.^;;;;). There are so many different cultures and backgrounds. We all have to come together and reach a consensus, which will take some time. Because the drama is made in China, so China's manufacturing comes first. We provide assistance at the side for things like art, music, package. This time Ken has made me very confounded. It's like saying you are in your own house, he doesn't care about much. But I think, talking in China, he has face many things in a mature way. He has won the respect of the crew. Everyone in China gets along with him very well. Sometimes I tell him that he must be exhausted but he said that he's not. He hopes to respect every single staff member making everyone work in a happy environment. I joked that here, he's my executive producer. I won't be worried with him here with. It doesn't matter if this drama is filmed well or bad because as a producer, it makes me really happy to see artists grow up.

Host: I think a lot of people like F4 and think that they are maturing. They are becoming more and more charming. But they all have their own supporters. There are many people in the chat room that want to ask for your forgiveness. I cannot take all your questions at once, I will groups some of them together as much as possible.

Q: Ken and Angie, what's your definition of success?

Ken: To me, success doesn't lie in the amount of support you get, how many people love you, but what you think of yourself. Did you do it? I'm a person who really respects principles. To me, if I did something well, afterwards I will do it to the best of my abilities. This gives you the best feeling of success.

Angie: When I use to do entertainment programs, because of "Meteor Garden" I opened my own company. I actually don't enjoy being the boss that much. I like to work together as a team, hoping to do production work. After the popularity of "Meteor Garden" I've been in a delusion for the past 2 years, sacrificing health, time and time I spend with family. I really don't know why? Until one day when I recieved a letter. It was from a parent of a 6 year old kid. He said that after his son watched "Meteor Garden" he started to remember the names. He would also sing songs from "Meteor Garden." He thanks us for the drama. When I read this card, the first thing that touched me was when we publicized. We were conveying a message. After communicating to strangers through television, it doesn't matter how the ratings are for the dramas I make, what's important is what I'm transmitting to myself, to spectators or strangers. Even if only one person watched a drama I make, I believe that he can feel the view I'm transmitting to him. Even if this person can change the world, change life. I think this is very happy. My success is not something on the surface, it's about the satisfactory in the heart.

Host: Some internet friends mentioned that after a person is successful, worries and confusion should increase, is that so?

Angie: It's actually really hard for F4 and I. They became famous after their first drama but they didn't know how to face their jobs and environment. At that time I knew they would have their own pains. This is like from saying when you get first place the first time you took a test. You would think there'd be a lot of pressure. Moreover, you don't know if you need to maintain your number one spot. But I've chatted with Ken recently and we gradually found learning as our goal. Seek happiness during the process and don't seek position. This is a return to the essence of learning. Therefore I want to look through this matter. I think it's because Ken has been chatting with everyone lately, I feel that his maturity and progress is actually from the heart. His view towards some matters is already slowly beginning to change. He's also slowly taking these pressures and releasing them, taking it and changing it into a power for progress.

Host: Seems to be a bit serious. Actually there are many ways to alleviate pressure. For instance, eating a lot of delicious foods. We'll summarize everyone's thoughts about eating. One internet friend asks Ken what type of dishes he's been doing in Beijing.

Ken: Because when I came a kitchen was arranged for me, I messed with some things. When there was free time during filming, then I'd do it myself. But coming to Beijing I know that there are indeed many dishes. After the drama I will find a good place to eat.

Angie: I especially like to eat shui zhu yu (some type of fish), I would bring him to eat it. (laughs)

Ken: Everytime I come here, after they are done eating, they'd come back and tell me that shui zhu yu is very good. But I don't know what shui zhu yu is.

Host: Shui zhu yu really isn't bad, you really should try it out some time. We won't advertise here.

Angie, what do you think of Ken's cooking?

Angie: He worked at a BBQ store before. He often tells us how to cook this dish and it's really good.

Host: That's all for the eating topic. I'm getting hungry now. (laughs)

Q: Ken, you onced said that if there was a time machine in front of you, if there is, would you go back 10 years?

Ken: Yeah, we only have one lifetime. If there was a time machine that can take us back in time it would be very interesting.

Host: But you can't be Xi Men.

Ken: That's ok.

Host: If you aren't Xi Men, then many fans won't know you.

Ken: If I'm not Xi Men I'll be others.

Angie: Sometimes different roads in life might come together. If he's a cook, he still might be an actor. You can't say for sure.

Host: It's also possible to be a host for cooking skills or a boss of a food product.

Angie: You can't go back and do it again, so you should take every minute and every second seriously.

Q: You like music so much. Would you spend the money you earn on music?

Ken: No, you don't have to cling to what you do. I really like music. If I cling on too much I won't do anything else. If I took the money I earned and spend it all on things I like, I think it would be very unobjective.

Host: Right now they are asking about the other 4 members of F4. We talked about ideal, music and cooking, if the other 3 could choose what might they select?

Angie: Everyone is different. A month before it might be wanting to sleep and rest the most. I think this is a difficult question to reply to. I think F4 has a common characteristic. They want to do everything good and takes their work seriously, it doesn't matter what they like to do.

Q: If you leave this field today, would you develop in taking pictures?

Ken: Right now what's most important is to do everything in front of me. Afterwards I might slowly develop behind the stage.

Angie: You already said you wanted to be my producer. He wants to help me film and be the director. (laughs)

Host: Do you have any plans?

Ken: Yep, let's film a story about a girl in the city. The struggle within reality and illusion. Miss Angie fits this role well.

Host: Have you decided if the outcome would be tragedy or comedy?

Ken: We would have to see the development of the story.

Angie: I think it's really hard to talk about whether life is a tragedy or comedy. We always see a prince marrying a princess and then afterwards they are always fighting, so is this tragedy or comedy? The most exciting thing about life is tragedy and comedy. You have to experience no matter what. You need to experience sorrow. My tragedy and comedy isn't the most important. Whatever Ken makes it, tragedy or comedy, this is a creativity issue.

Ken: I just got it, I'll give her 7 men. (laughs)

Angie: This goes back to the broker's welfare.

Q: Ken has a battler flavor, what's your definition of family?

Ken: I've been by myself for the past few years. After returning to Taiwan from Singapore, the feeling towards family has been weak. But when I return home, the moment I open the door I hope that someone would greet me and hear what happened today. I currenly only have pets. I hope that in the future, someone can accompany me.

Host: You've been asked countless times before, how do you wnat this person to be like?

Ken: I have no way of thinking about this beforehand. I need to meet, feel and a spark for me to know.

Host: Would you feel lonely sometimes when you go home? When you fall asleep what walks towards you in your brain?

Ken: No, my cats would accompany me to sleep.

Host: If not joking now, saying that there's a country's women that conquers the world by cosmetic.

Angie: Why some country, this country is Korea.

Ken: It doesn't matter how good you look, as long as you think then it's right.

Angie: Just pretend cosmetics as a retouching process. For example if eyebrows are long then you can just cut them.

End of Part 1