Celebrities Pray for Safety of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370

The disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 early on March 8 remains a mystery. On its way to Beijing from Kuala Lumpar, the airplane suddenly vanished from radar screens somewhere over the seas in between Malaysia and Vietnam. Several Asian artists from Malaysia, China, and Taiwan continue to pray for the flight’s safety, hoping there would be a miracle.
Malaysian artists including Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊), Vivien Yeo (楊秀惠), Angelica Lee (李心潔), Fish Leung (梁靜茹), Victor Wong (品冠) and Shila Amzah (茜拉) were hit with grief after learning of the missing aircraft. Currently working abroad, Michelle expressed her condolences to the flight’s passengers and crew members. Vivien admitted feeling extremely sorrowful about the incident. With her career based in Hong Kong, she had visited her home country during Lunar New Year to wish family and friends safety. Angelica hopes for a miracle, while Fish and Victor spread words of prayer on their Weibo accounts. Shila felt extremely uncomfortable about the incident and shared how she constantly took flight MH370 in the past.
Other Chinese artists also expressed their concerns for those affected and told everyone to not give up their hopes. Huang Xiaoming (黃曉明) wrote on his Weibo blog, “This news has caused much worry, and I really hope everyone is safe and sound. I hope everyone can take good care of their emotions and never give up on hope! Praying for everyone’s peace!”
Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) uploaded a photograph of two lit candles and commented, “A day of sorrow!” Hong Kong actress, Ada Choi (蔡 少芬), also posted on her Weibo blog, “Why hasn’t the missing airplane been found…Lord have mercy, wishing there is a miracle and also have peace and strength for the families [waiting] on the ground. So sad, so heartbroken, so much sorrow.”
Taiwanese artists including Rainie Yang (楊丞琳), Leehom Wang (王力宏), Yoga Lin (林宥嘉), Valen Hsu (許茹蕓), and Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) left similar messages of prayer on their blogs. Rainie wrote, “My god…praying that there is peace.” Likewise, Yoga expressed, “Hoping the missing airplane can make it home safely. Give their family members some space. We don’t need to be onlookers toward their grief.”
Leehom, who just flew to Kuala Lumpar from Beijing last week, felt extremely sympathetic. He admitted, “I find it so hard to believe the news I’m hearing. I constantly take that flight, and just did so last week. Praying for all the passengers and crew members!” Barbie wrote, “Please do not make up rumors. Everyone is worried, and please consider the feelings of their family members. Wishing for the passengers’ safety.” Valen also expressed, “Praying for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight’s family members and friends. Hope a miracle can happen! Showing support together!”

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Raymond Lam’s Ex-Lover, Mavis Pan, Spotted with New Rich Boyfriend

Mavis Pan (潘霜霜), the former girlfriend of Raymond Lam (林峯), was recently sighted shopping with new boyfriend, Michael Xue (薛焜), the heir of the Shenzhen jewelry business, Bo Fook.
On March 6, 26-year-old Mavis and 27-year-old Michael were seen shopping at Elements, a large mall located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. The two first stopped by the trendy fashion store Y3, where Mavis spent approximately 15 minutes searching for a set of hats and dresses. While Michael paid, Mavis went to Givenchy – a store across the hall – and picked out a set of clothes for Michael to try out.
Mavis and Michael were seen hugging intimately and linking arms throughout their shopping date, but the two kept a noticeable distance from each other in crowded places. Mavis appeared shocked when she spotted reporters. Speeding up her walking, Mavis dismissed the reporters’ questions and said, “Ah, don’t take photos!”
Asked if Mavis has heard of the marriage rumors between Raymond Lam and Karena Ng (吳 千語), Mavis quickly said, “It has nothing to do with me!” Asked if Michael is Mavis’ current boyfriend, Mavis said, “We are friends!”
Michael, the heir and general manager of Shenzhen’s Bo Fook jewelry company, studied in the United States before returning to his family business in 2009. Established in 1989, Bo Fook is the supplier for over a thousand jewelry stores. Bo Fook has also opened over 300 “Baohengda” jewelry stores and counters. The company has also recently opened a hotel.
In addition, Michael is also a racing driver, and won first place at last year’s Pan Delta Super Racing Festival, representing Shenzhen.

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Berlin Film Festival Winner “Black Coal, Thin Ice” to Set off Fireworks on March 21

Detective romance film, Black Coal, Thin Ice <白日焰火>, which won the highest award at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, recently released its latest trailer. The movie, which stars mainland Chinese actor Liao Fan (廖凡) and Taiwanese actress Gwei Lun Mei (桂綸鎂), is slated to open in theaters on March 21.
Black Coal, Thin Ice is the story of laundromat worker Wu Zhizhen (Gwei Lun Mei), whose husband (Wang Xuebing 王學兵) was killed and dismembered five years ago. Now a series of similarly grisly murder cases have cropped up, and the dismembered victims all have one thing in common: each one is an ex-boyfriend of Zhizhen.
In order to uncover the truth, police officer Zhang Zili (Liao Fan) volunteers to get close to Zhizhen, even though he had previously been injured when dealing with her husband’s case five years prior. But as he grows close to her, they fall in love and must wrestle with the truth of the crime together.
Despite being director Diao Yinan’s (刁亦男) third feature film and his first directing endeavor in seven years, Black Coal, Thin Ice won critical acclaim at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, where it snagged the prestigious Golden Bear Award, given to the best film of the year. The last time a mainland Chinese film won the Golden Bear was in 2007, with the film Tuya’s Marriage <圖雅的婚事>.
Liao Fan also picked up the Silver Bear for Best Actor, making him the first mainland Chinese actor to win the award. During his acceptance speech, he thanked his costar Gwei Lun Mei for “igniting that group of fireworks and giving warmth to that winter.”
The film’s Chinese title, which translates to “Daytime Fireworks,” is a testament to the greatest miracles in life, according to the director. To him, one must be extremely determined to set off fireworks during the daytime. As a result, these fireworks may be more beautiful than those seen at night, and thus be more filled with hope, warmth, and recovery.

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Louis Koo Makes AV Star Appearance in “Naked Ambition 2”

Louis Koo (古天樂) will be making a guest appearance in the new Hong Kong category III 3D film, Naked Ambition 2 < 3D 豪情>, a sex parody film that stars Chapman To (杜汶澤), Josie Ho (何超儀), and Japanese AV actor Taka Katō. He will be having numerous bed scenes with popular AV actress Kana Yume.
Louis, one of the producers of Naked Ambition 2, starred in the original Naked Ambition film in 2003, which was Louis’ first film as producer. He originally did not plan on investing in Naked Ambition 2, but after director Chan Hing Ka (陳慶嘉) showed him the script of the film, Louis decided that the movie was worth an investment.
Portraying the prostitute “Kong Moon Louis Koo” in his recent cameo appearance of Sandra Ng’s (吳君如) sex comedy Golden Chicken sss <金雞SSS>, Louis decided to continue his running porn star gag with his guest appearance in Naked Ambition 2. Louis traveled to Japan last November to film his short sequence with well-known AV idol actress Kana Yume and other popular Japanese AV actresses.
Louis praised the actresses’ professionalism and said, “They are really open. They’re very into it and they are giving it their all. It’s like they think they’re filming an AV. After filming one take, I had to get our translator to tell [Kana Yume] to be not so extreme!”
Chapman To Was Aroused by Sex Scenes
On the other hand, lead star Chapman To said he admires the crew members’ strong willpower while working on such a risqué and sexually suggestive film. There was one particular scene in which a male crew member had to stand in front of a half-naked Anri Okita for a few hours and had to support her from falling down her chair. “The crew had it the hardest!” said Chapman.
Asked if anything had “turned stiff” while working with the AV actresses, Chapman said, “Of course. It is a biological reaction and something that we have no control over. In fact, [the AV actresses] would be worried if I didn’t have a reaction. They would think that they’ve done something incorrect or wrong.”

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Actor Pine admits New Zealand drink driving charge

Star Trek actor Chris Pine pleaded guilty Monday to drink driving in New Zealand and had his licence suspended for six months, reports said.

US actor Chris Pine attends the European premier 
of "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" in central London 
on January 20, 2014

Pine, 33, was charged after he failed a breath test this month in the South Island town of Methven, where he had been attending a party after completing the science fiction film Z for Zachariah, New Zealand Newswire reported.
Judge Joanna Maze denied an application from the American's lawyers to discharge him without conviction, saying she was "obliged to treat offenders alike".
She suspended Pine's New Zealand driver's licence for six months and fined him NZ$93 ($80), Fairfax New Zealand reported.
Pine, who is best known for playing Captain Kirk in director J.J. Abrams's Star Trek reboot, declined to speak to media outside the Ashburton courthouse before being driven away.

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New names galore on Star Awards 20 Top 10 Most Popular Male/ Female Artistes award nominees list

his year's Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male/ Female Artistes award nominees list contained a large number of new names, including one rather surprising one.

The ultimate 'Black Horse'?: Radio deejay Justin Ang said he will give his acceptance speech in Mandarin if he does win by some "incredible miracle" at the Star Awards 20.gapore actor Desmond Tan, who received his first Top 10 Most Popular Male/ Female Artistes award nomination says he is especially happy his friend, actress Koh Ya Hui, has been nominated too...

  re actress Koh Ya Hui is among a large number of talents who have been nominated for the first time for the Top 10 Most Popular Male/ Female Artistes award at Star Awards 20.

Star Awards 20 Top 10 Most Popular Male/Female Artistes award first-time nominees (from left) Chris Tong, Ian Fang, Edwin Goh, Xu Bin and Zhang Zhen Hua 

 

SINGAPORE: The nominees list for the Top 10 Most Popular Male/Female Artistes awards at this year's Star Awards, which was released at a special event on Friday, contained a rather interesting name.

It belongs to radio deejay Justin Ang, who is best known for hosting an English-language radio programme on 987FM.
Ang, one half of radio duo The Muttons, apparently managed to qualify for a shot at the award as he hosted the red carpet segment of the countdown show, which was simulcast on both Channel 5 and 8.
The Star Awards regulations state that anyone who has appeared in a local television programme on a Mandarin channel in the past year, and is currently a MediaCorp artiste, can qualify for a nomination.
Ang satisfied both criteria and was nominated for the award based on the results of a public survey conducted by a market research company.
Although Ang said he is aware that he got nominated on "a technicality", the radio host quipped that he is still hoping to win it and dedicate it to his wife, who "has always supported me and fell off the bed laughing" when he told her about his first Star Awards nomination.
His radio partner, deejay Vernon A, has since pledged to help him win it.
"He (Vernon A) is actually very supportive. In fact, he has vowed on our radio show to do everything in his power to help me win!
"He is going to kidnap (fellow nominees) Gurmit Singh, he is going to burn down Qi Yuwu's house, he is going to puncture Lee Teng's tyres and use his car to run over Elvin Ng!" joked Ang, before bursting into laughter.
" I don't condone it but I'm not going to do anything about it."
Not the usual suspects
Along with Ang, stars like Xu Bin, Ian Fang, Edwin Goh, Chris Tong and Zhang Zhen Huan have also been nominated for the Top 10 Most Popular Male/ Female Artistes awards for the first time as well.
As were Singapore actor Desmond Tan and actress Koh Ya Hui, who both entered showbiz after participating in the Star Search 2007 talent competition.
"I am happy ... but I'm also very calm," said Tan of his first-time nomination.
"Last year I was not nominated, even when a lot of people told me I was going to be nominated for sure. So I learned not to have too high hopes."
However, he revealed that he was especially excited that Koh had been nominated for the first time too, as they have grown to become great friends over the years.
Koh said the nomination took her completely by surprise.
"I couldn't believe it. I had to read the message (informing her that she had been nominated) a few times to get the message into my head.
"I have never received a message like that before!" gushed the actress, before adding that she is already very happy to get a nomination, though she would still love to take home a trophy.
"This is my first time getting nominated, so I hope I have 'beginner's luck'!"
The Star Awards turns 20
This year's Star Awards is a very special one, because it is the 20th installment of the glitzy awards show since its inception in 1994.
The Star Awards 20 - Show 1, which recognises the best behind-the-scenes production talents in the local Mandarin television industry, will be broadcast live on April 20, from 7pm on Channel 8.
Star Awards 20 - Show 2, which honours the best performing talents in the past year, will be held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre on April 27, and will be aired live from 5.30pm on Channel 8.
A complete list of the Top 10 Most Popular Male/Female Artistes award nominees can be found here.

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More regulation for Korean entertainment industry to protect aspiring stars

Korean authorities passed new legislation on Tuesday to better regulate the entertainment industry and protect aspiring stars.

Korean youths who aspire to become K-pop stars like girl group A Pink (pictured) may find their journey a little safer, with the recent introduction of new legislation to regulate the Korean entertainment industry.

SEOUL: The Korean government has passed new legislation on Tuesday to better regulate the entertainment industry and protect aspiring stars, reported Korean media.
Under the new law, anyone who wishes to set up a talent agency must now have a minimum of four years of experience in the entertainment industry.
Those who have a criminal record will be investigated before being allowed to do so.
New talent agencies will also require approval from Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before they can recruit trainees.
In addition, there are new, stricter rules governing the treatment of trainees who are still minors.
These rules will prevent talent agencies from overworking younger trainees by disallowing training from 10pm to 6am daily, and capping the maximum number of hours of training they can undergo at 46 per week.
A Ministry spokesperson said these new rules will result in “a healthier entertainment industry” and help the overall pop culture develop “by restricting the number of agencies” in the industry.
Many Korean youth aspire to become entertainers because they perceive it to be a well-paying, glamorous job.
But achieving stardom is no easy task.
Trainees have to endure years of tough training, and may not even get the chance to make their showbiz debut.
Some may even fall prey to unscrupulous industry players.
In 2012, one talent agency CEO was arrested for sexually assaulting a number of his young female trainees.

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