Music Weekly
December 2004

Translated by Xiujuan of OnlyF4 and Amy of Faithful 4ever

Becoming Popular was a Gift from God, F4 shall reunite to film a movie

The first impression that Vanness gives to others is normally this, a energetic genie, open, very sunshine, no matter what happens, he's a representative of an ABC. However, Vanness, who have cut his hair short, and slim down a little sometimes had this depressed look from his face at times. From F4 till today, turning to having to fight alone. He's happy that he is seeing so many people around him who is waiting to see the "joke" that he is going to create, it isn't successful with his own words, there are people who is more nervous than him, but he definitely isn't going to let himself act as a hard pot.

Becoming popular, a gift from God

Reporter : There was this period of time when you got interview by reporters, you said F4 was like that and all that ?

Vanness : By putting it in this way, it seems like Vanness isn't happy with the other 3 (haha) ?Actually its not, there's isn't at all. At that time, F4 came out too suddenly and everyone's curiosity grew larger and larger. One day, a reporter find that writing our news was not fresh anymore, so they started making up things to do, sometimes it comes out of nowhere.

Reporter : So to say, you have a prepared heart ? Or a grumbling one ?

Vanness : Maybe you can say that ? When I first came out, i was still a newbie, polite to everyone, very respectful, had manners, and not offending anyone. Thinking back, that feeling was a little embarrassing. But from unable to answer reporter's questions to knowing how to answer, what questions not to answer, it was the media reporters who taught me , everyone is working, so you can't turn around and say i'm not working at all.

Reporter : Is it to do with character ? Too straightforward !!

Vanness : During the start when we came out to meet reporters, we had our managers helping in front. Questions which are inconvenient to answer, it was strike off at her station. However at times, i'll turn around with the person. When they ask a very "bian" (describing a stupid question), like, "heard that F4 is not on good terms and are separating" or "heard that you are not happy with the group that someone is getting too much attention in the group", I won't give him any faces, it has nothing to do with the character.

Reporter : Maybe you all got popular too fast, no one had prepared beforehand, so they want to know more.

Vanness : When i started to understand this point, i know there were people who were waiting to see this "joke" (laughing loudly)! It's not a problem that we suddenly got popular, the difficult question was whether we could maintain that result ? Work hard ! Of course I'll continue to work hard !But, there are some things which you cannot gain back by working hard. So, i have to thank God, for giving us this little "gift" of allowing us to go popular.

Reporter : You have to pay a price to become popular. Although its only 3 years time, but I've see you change a lot when seeing you today from the time of Meteor Garden.

Vanness : When I first came out to film, my heart was not there sometimes. Time was tight, everyone was just rushing the scenes, we only thought of ending the filming soon than return home to rest, this kind of tiredness doesn't bring stress at all ; after becoming popular, you still have to bother, you have to appear happy even though you weren't in a good mood. As long as it's during working time, you have to appear energetic, the stress on the mind becomes larger, so the Vanness Wu today definitely is different from the past. No, it's that he have matured !!

Jerry Yan did a courageous try

Reporter : Although it was drama which made everyone know you. But, the first award upstage was a result from music !

Vanness : Maybe they thought it was F4 who was singing, so they foot the bill ? (laughing loudly) I remember very clearly, it was during year 2002 where we got lots of awards from the music side. For example, Best Newcomer, Group award, the singles which was released than was not much, it was only the theme song and cut-in songs for Meteor Garden. There were some awards where we didn't had confidence to fight for it, Bronze, just a nomination would do.

Reporter : 4 singing on-stage together, is the feeling great ?

Vanness : Frankly speaking, before we go upstage, we would be very nervous. Ken was more stable, Jerry would lose all his face expressions, Zaizai would have to hold on to something then he would feel safe. He would hold a mineral bottle , turning it over for awhile, turning it the other side for awhile. Haha, I'm more simple ! The funniest thing was once when we finish singing and went downstage, Zaizai lost his way onstage, he didn't know which exit to go to, needing Ken to go upstage to lead him back.

Reporter : Singing and acting, which one do you prefer ?

Vanness : It's all interest. If it's regarded as work, then, it's too much stress ! When i first came from US to Taiwan to develop, i had no idea how my future would be, whatever was arranged I'll do. After that, when the freedom was more, other than acting, i started to sing and dance.

Reporter : Releasing "Body Will Sing", it's sudden too ?

Vanness : At that time, there was already lots of reports saying F4 was going separate ways, i didn't think much. A record company wanted to let me release an album, after discussing with the company, we signed a contract with them. Simply, that album was still something from my own me, my character. Talking about singing, rhythm, I like it, not much restrictions, but impression of going into the recording studio was deeper.

Reporter : Going into the studio was more of rule thing, not as easy-going.

Vanness : Yes, each lyrics was slowly eased out. Earlier on when Baolong was recording his songs, i didn't had time to go and tan ban. But i heard he recorded for a hard time, re-recording for many times, i think he did a big try !

Reporter : Is your new album on the move ?

Vanness : Now, the main mission is to finish filming the show, after that, I'll close myself up to do my album. I think the most special thing is that on my new album, I'll be involved in including my own composition. Writing lyrics to me is quite a difficult thing, that's because my Chinese isn't good. I have to think thrice to many things before i lay the pen. However, the new album would be more love songs as theme, I'm considering to add in hip-hop taste into it, that's because I personally like this style of music more.

Verifies that F4 will reunite

Reporter: Right now the news about you going to Shaolin can be seen anywhere on the internet?

Vanness: I've been very interested in Shaolin ever since I was young so I mentioned it to the people of the company so that they can arrange to rare chance.

Reporter: What feelings do you have?

Vanness: My time there wasn't long. I learned quan fan and jiu jie bian. My feelings are two words: stability and tranquility. It's a place that can make one have a pure heart and few desires. I'm a very worried person. Seeking perfection is one thing, it's a result problem. But during the process I'm always very nervous but there's been a big change after I've stayed there for a while. Looking at things from a different point of view will make things in open sea and sky and less complicated.

Reporter: It's said that Hollywood is about to invest in a Shaolin movie, were you preparing for that?

Vanness: The real purpose of learning martial arts is liking it, admiration. It's also beneficial for your body. If there's a chance to act it wouldn't be bad. I also hope that I can do shuang jie gun like Jay Chou if I have the chance, taking what I've learned and incorporating it in acting.

Reporter: There's been news that F4 will reunite and film a movie, is this true?

Vanness: Our management company has already been in contact with the movie company, I think everyone will see us together again pretty soon.

Reporter: Imagine that you can write the script, what roles would you assign F4?

Vanness: A gangster movie is good (haha). ZZ can act as the mafia leader. He's usually a bit shy and very cute. This role is very different from his personality, it'll definite be worth watching. Ken should be the young detective because he's usually warmhearted guy, he often takes care of others. Murderer? (hesitates a bit) Give it to Jerry!

Reporter: Why isn't it you that portrays the murderer?

Vanness: I'm already a "murderer," a lady killer (laughs)

Doesn't exclude sister-brother love

Reporter: You seem to have luck with females, all the ladies that you've worked with before are all very beautiful!

Vanness: Haha, I wasn't too sure what you meant when I just heard the first half of the sentence. It's because the director is really smart, he knows that everyone likes to see handsome guys and beautiful girls.

Reporter: There are different feelings when working with different people, talk about it.

Vanness: It's not that good to evaluate girls behind there back is it? Haha, they are all very beautiful. In "Say Yes Enterprise" Hebe (member of SHE) and I acted as lovers. She was my "bride," we were jin tong yu nu (boy and girl attendants of fairies), admired by many. She belongs to the cute type of girls.

Reporter: There was also the Korean actress Jin Xian Zhu in "Star Runner."

Vanness: Yeah, I had a "teacher-student love" with her. She seems more mature but it might be because of the language barrier problem. When I'm with people I'm not familiar with I wouldn't know what to talk about so it basically took us slower to warm up.

Reporter: And there's also San Cai in "Meteor Garden." Da S is a girl with a personality no? She's currently in Beijing filming a drama.

Vanness: She's the type with a very good heart an incredible mouth. She seems ordinary but she has this unexplainable strength that ordinary girls don't have. Once we had an argument over a scene and she used "senior" to keep us under control, haha, very funny!

Reporter: What type of girls do you like?

Vanness: It won't be a "snare." (thinks a moment) She should steady, thoughtful...with no burden after getting to know each other.

Reporter: Will you exclude a sister-brother relationship?

Vanness: If healthy then that's good, if healthy then that's good, if our age difference isn't that big then that's good.

Reporter: If you meet a girl that you like will you take the initiative to chase her?

Vanness: Yes, but also have to look at the circumstances. Right now I'm so busy that I don't have time, I'll think about it when I meet her.

Reporter: I heard that your older sister is trying to develop in the entertainment circle.

Vanness: Several months before she participated in a DJ competition. She's currently a DJ for a station. I go to the gym with her occasionally and I encourage her to eat more vegetables and fruit. She's getting things achieved. If she has the interest then I'll of course support her!