BSCS Television Magazine
July 2005 issue


Translated by laiou2002 of Vic Power

Thanks to Zhen Zhen & cocochan of Vic Power for the above cover scan.

Taiwan super idols F4 in Japan

There is a new Asia trend blowing in Japan. There is no need to generate a catchphrase; Taiwan idol stars F4 have already caused a furor. The limited edition of their first album has already sold out. Their TV series are also popular. From now on, what will be the next thing they bring to Japan?!

They have swept across TV dramas, movies, and music! Photo album is coming!

F4, the explosively popular super group across the whole Asia, has come to Japan

It's the early summer of 2005 and the Korea Wave still shows no sign of abating. A new wave has come to Japan. It comes from Taiwan and is named Taiwan Wave. Its top gun, super group F4, has finally started its activities in Japan in full blown.

At the beginning of 2001 in Taiwan, an adaptation of Yoko Kamio's popular comic "Hana Yori Dango" into a TV series was being planed. Four gorgeous young men were to be picked out to act the leading actors in the TV series. Four fresh young men were discovered: cool Jerry Yan, a former model; Vic Zhou, with a smiling face of an idol; happy-go-lucky Ken Zhu, scouted while working part-time at a restaurant; and international Vanness Wu, born and raise in Los Angeles, USA.

Their heights are all of 180 CM but their personalities are different. At that time Vanness wasn't even good at Chinese. As soon as the drama was aired, they got their big break. They started various activities in the showbiz using the name of the group in the series, F4, which means a group of four people as pretty as flowers.) Their popularity spread across the whole Asia. They sold more than 4-million CDs and completed a successful concert tour. They were in high demand and appeared in Pepsi commercials. In no time they had become the super stars representing Asia. In fact, up until then, Japan was the only place in Asia not knowing the existence of F4.

After that, the four of them started engaging in their own solo activities such as movies, albums, CMs, and photo albums, all with good results. They have come to Japan, though a little late. With the help of the furor generated by Korea Wave, an unprecedented Asia Boom has arrived. F4's popularity in Japan has been jump-started by BS and CS channels broadcasting Meteor Garden. In response to that, currently Japan BS TV is airing Mars starring Vic, another adaptation from Japan's popular manga. To accomplish a photo album completely shot around Tokyo, for the first time all the four members visited Japan together and held a press conference in late April.

The four of them appeared in dark suits and were showered by a storm of flash flights. Jerry apologized for not taking off sun glasses because his eyes were hurt before coming to Japan. Ken appeared to be an expert in Japan and said, "Taiwan's Kinmon island is a beautiful place and looks like Okinawa." Vanness looked a little off and said, "The other members all look so great!" Vic as usual smiled sweetly. Each charmed the media in his own way. Looking relaxed but you can sense that they were earnest and enthusiastic about advancing into Japan.

Following the release of their first album on April 27, the second album will be released on Wed. July 20. Furthermore, their individual movies will soon be open to the public. In this feature story, we have unveiled some exclusive photos from the photo album to be released in July. They will continue charging forward. Don't miss their every movement.

Mars and Meteor Garden stuff skipped.

Messages to Japan

Vanness

Like Japanese music and food a great deal
Glad that F4 could come to Japan

Born and raised in L.A; international; most stylish among F4 in terms of singing and dancing; very fashion conscious and good at martial arts.

"I have always liked Japan, with nice environment and air. I enjoy walking on the streets. I listen to Japanese frequently. The best is Japanese food! I'm glad to work in my beloved Tokyo for the first time. Moreover, recently the four of us rarely work together; I'm very excited that we gather together in Tokyo. We each have different personality; in some respects, it makes things more interesting. It gives me a new, refreshed feeling that the four of us are together again."

Profile

Born on Aug. 7; Height 180 cm; Sign: Leo, Blood Type: A
In 2000, he went to Taiwan for Meteor Garden audition.
He currently appears in the movie "Meng Long Te Gong Dui"

Vic

Want to call out cheerfully: Jaijai

24-year old, the youngest of the members, with boyish charisma, nickname Jaijai (meaning: kid)

"Previously I've released my own photo album in Taiwan. It was shot in Otaru, Hokkaido. I visited Shibuya in March of this year for some promotions in Japan. So, I'm not unfamiliar with Japan and Tokyo. I hope we'll be looking more matured in this photo album. It has been a long time working as F4. I'm the youngest. Viewed as a younger brother, they often spoil me when we work together. (Laugh)"

Profile:

Born on June 9; Height: 180 CM; Sign: Gemini; Blood Type: O
Accompanied a friend to the Meteor Garden audition and got picked out.
Hobby: cars; Things like to d Sleep.

Jerry

The Japanese team is fantastic
Looking forward to seeing the new me

The oldest among the members, viewed as a leader, sexy with thick chest, with a slender face, famous for strict working attitude.

"As for shooting the photo album in Tokyo, most of all, I'm really happy about the forming of the Japanese team. Japanese staff is very thorough with work, so I'm relieved to put things in their control to see a new me. Now that it's completed, I'm looking forward to seeing it. I've been to Tokyo many times. They young people all have their individual senses. The streets are trend-setting. Recently F4 members have been increasingly doing solo works. It's a wonderful opportunity to reacquaint with old friends."

Profile

Born on Jan. 1; Height: 180 CM; Sign Capricorn; Blood Type: B
A former-model turned actor; got his big break from playing the main character Dao Mingsi in Meteor Garden; active in movies, CD solo, and photo albums.

Ken

From now on, I can't walk freely in Tokyo. Oh no!

The music mania among F4, have visited Japan many times because he likes Japan a great deal, has many favorite places, full of curiosity and being non-pretentious are the secrets of his popularity

"Tokyo streets are very beautiful. It's something to celebrate for F4 to shoot photos here for the photo album. Honestly my feelings are mixed. Why? I can no longer walk freely on the streets! (Laugh.) I'm immediately recognized in other Asian countries, Tokyo is precious for I can walk on the streets freely. I can search and stop at stores that suit my fancy. Unfortunately this time we have to move as a group so I can't visit Tsukiji that I like a lot. (Laugh.)"

Profile

Born on Jan 15; Height 180 CM; Sign: Capricorn; Blood Type: AB.
Raised in Singapore; discovered while working part-time at a Japanese restaurant;
released his long-awaited solo album in Jan. 2005.

Skipped translating F4's movies and music.