Star Gazing

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, getting her fill of Korean flavour with leading man Byun Woo Min, who’s currently in town to promote the drama Cruel Temptations.

In it, he stars as Jung Gyo Bin, a rich playboy who knocks up Goo Eun Jae and marries her. She then suffers the treatment of evil in-laws and has to watch her best friend openly flirting with her husband. So then, Gyo Bin tries to kill her (she’s pregnant, of course), and thinks her dead, but she returns under another identity and is OUT FOR REVENGE MWAHAHA. Also starring Jang Seo Hee and Kim Seo-hyung.

In Korea, Cruel Temptation’s ratings hit 40% and even the dudes were into it. It was also a big hit in Taiwan, where it even did better than local dramas in the same time belt. Melodrama sells!

“This is my second time visiting Singapore officially,” Byun told Showbiz Sista in a suite at Swissotel The Stamford, with the help of a translator. “I’m very excited. After Cruel Temptations has been aired, I’d like to come and see the fans again.”

He also told Showbiz Sista that it was lots of fun to play the bad guy. “In Cruel Temptations, I’m a bad guy, but this bad guy has a very unique character. As research, I talked to about a hundred people who got divorces or had spousal problems.”

What does Byun think we’re going to like about Cruel Temptations? “I think there’s a lot of passion. It gained a lot of hype and curiosity. It’s easy for you to imagine what it’d be like if the things that happened in the drama happened to you. It makes you think. I’ve been dedicating myself very passionately to this drama. It’s got variety, and it’s full of human experiences and emotions.” In English, he added, “Actually Korean dramas are a little bit calm. But this drama is so fast!”

What does it take to be a leading man in a phenomenally successful Korean drama? “I’m not a great actor as yet. I am trying to be a good actor,” said Byun. “If you have been acting for five years, that’s equivalent to one year in the acting profession. I’ve been acting for twenty years, which means I am five years old as an actor! I think I need to work really hard for another ten or twenty years!”

So, who’s more handsome—him, or Rain? “Absolutely Rain!” Byun chortled in English. The other thing he said in English was, “Nice shoes!”

Sure, but in the show, he’s a big flirt. Is he good with the ladies in real life? “I think I have to be good to the ladies,” said Byun thoughtfully. “This is my personal opinion. I believe that ladies have to be always protected by men. If one party has to be hurt, it should be the man. The men always have to send the girls safely home.”

Wow! Why isn’t a chivalrous gent like 44-year-old Byun married yet? “I like to travel and study a lot. I’ve toured about 99 countries in the course of my work.” His favourite place to go is Alaska, “to watch the whales”. “I use the money I make from acting to go backpacking. I missed the chance to marry.” Yes, well, it’s not too late—here’s your chance, ladies!

 Catch Cruel Temptations starting tomorrow (Thursday Nov 19), Mondays to Fridays at 7pm on MediaCorp TV Channel U. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Byun Woo Min, Channel U, Cruel Temptations, Showbiz Sista

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, telling you to watch out for the new Channel 8 drama that premieres tonight. Your Hand In Mine stars a heck lot of artistes including Chen Li Ping, Huang Wen Yong, Yvonne Lim, Belinda Lee, Shaun Chen, Pierre Png, and Joanne Peh. In fact, it was hard work just getting all of them into one picture.

Chen Liping and Huang Wenyong are the loving but bickering couple—she loves branded goods, he’d rather she didn’t spend all his money—with three lovely daughters, played by Yvonne, Belinda and Koh Yah Hwee. They have nasty fights with their strange next-door neighbour (Cavin Soh) reminiscent of the Everitt Road feuds, run-ins with a famous star (Pierre Png), and even an unexpected pregnancy for Liping’s character.

Said Huang Wen Yong of his three screen daughters, “They treat me like their father now. When they see me, they come up to me and hug me. I’m enjoying the feeling of being an uncle to these little girls. They all like to say sweet things to me. I know they’re lying but I don’t mind at all!” “HE likes to hug US!” protested Yvonne. Oops, it looks like Uncle Wen Yong had better be careful! Sadly, he doesn’t seem as enthusiastic about getting cozy with Liping. “We have a lot of intimate bedroom scenes,” Wen Yong revealed. “When we did the scene in which I get her pregnant, Liping was having a fever. It gave me nightmares that night!” Wonder what he meant by that?

Yvonne’s character has a quirk that proved trying for her. “My character is quick-tempered but good at heart. Her nickname is The Hurricane, ‘cos I have to swing my hair around a lot. It made my neck hurt a lot! Everyone has been hit by my hair. I love doing it when they least expect it.” Naughty Yvonne! We can’t reveal too much, but the lucky girl has kissing scenes with both Pierre Png and Shaun Chen. “But it’s very annoying because they’re both blissfully married and they keep asking me when I’m going to get married too,” she said. Well, every silver lining has a cloud.

There’s a whole host of freaky characters surrounding this family—I mean, just look at the number of people in the photo—but you’ll have to watch the show to find out about them. Catch Your Hand In Mine starting tonight at 7pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, bringing you the gender-bending hijinks of the stars of the latest drama on Channel 8, Daddy At Home.

As you probably know by now, Chen Hanwei stars as a permed-haired, paunch-ridden, vacuum cleaner-wielding stay-at-home dad, or house husband. Cynthia Koh plays his career-minded wife and boss of a beauty salon.

“It was hideous,” said Hanwei about his get-up, “but when filming, it was like magic—I naturally turned into the character. At least the tummy isn’t real!”

“As a couple, we have these signature air kisses,” said Cynthia. “When I first saw the script, I was really looking forward to my kissing scenes with Hanwei. He kept saying, ‘No, let’s not. Let’s just do air kisses.’ I was a little disappointed.” Ooh… Is it an unrequited crush on Cynthia’s part? “No, it’s because she comes home from her job at the salon looking all glam and I’m all sweaty and dirty in the kitchen, so air kisses are more natural!” Hanwei protested.

Check out those Crocs

Neighbours Li Nanxing and Ann Kok are a couple in the traditional mold, with Nanxing basing his identity on his career and Ann a stay-home mom. Then he loses his job, she lands one, and they are forced to switch roles, resulting in Nanxing filthying up the house and burning the roast. At first, Nanxing despises Hanwei for gossiping with the aunties about who knocked whom up and collecting supermarket coupons, but soon realizes that he has a lot to learn. Hooray for busting gender stereotypes!

“I’ve done so many shows, but I really like this story. It was realistic,” said Nanxing, who, in real life, is very neat and a good cook. “I wanted to laugh every time I saw Hanwei in character–I couldn’t look him in the eye!”

“This is the first time I’m co-starring with Nanxing,” said Hanwei, turning to him. “Before, I used to play your younger brother or your nameless friend: Friend A or B or C.” With three Best Actor Star Awards, Showbiz Sista isn’t sure whether to believe him! Ann has a vote of confidence for him though: “I really like Hanwei’s look. I think it’s really sexy.” “She says she gets high from looking at me,” Hanwei smirked.

Also starring are Adam Chen and Dawn Yeo. Dawn plays the kids’ tutor. “It’s the first time I’m playing a Chinese teacher,” she said. “I found myself pronouncing my words very carefully. Sometimes there were proverbs I didn’t understand!” As for Adam, he’s Dawn’s shiftless, unambitious boyfriend, and she hates that about him. “Dawn and my relationship is the foil to the other two couples,” he said.

The souvenir from the press conference!

Who will win the title of heavyweight champion daddy? Who will get left at home? Find out on weeknights at 9pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Adam Chen, Ann Kok, Channel 8, Chen Hanwei, Cynthia Koh, Daddy At Home, Dawn Yeoh, Li Nanxing, Showbiz Sista

Greetings and salutations, fellow Stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, stalking Chinese superstar Zhang Ziyi. Ziyi is presently in Singapore, and a mere hour or two ago, she was at Ion Orchard for the opening ceremony of Omega’s flagship store.

“Hallo hallo,” Ziyi said in English (I kid you not). David Gan was also there, because he’d done her hair as per usual, and you know what bosom buddies they are.

As the new Omega ambassador, Ziyi joins the ranks of Hollywood heavyweights Cindy Crawford, George Clooney and Nicole Kidman. “It’s fate”, she said. “My first watch was an Omega – I bought it when I was very young with my first earnings. I don’t wear it because I’m afraid of losing it.”

Her last movie was the rom com Sophie’s Revenge, which she also produced, but she’s got a new top-secret movie in the works. She didn’t know how much she could reveal, but “All I know is I have no vacations coming up.”

“She speaks perfect English,” insisted the host, but then why, pray tell, was she answering all the questions in Mandarin? Hmm. Showbiz Sista recently did a telephone interview with the Memoirs Of A Geisha star, which was supposed to be in English, but at the last minute, little miss diva said she would only do it in Mandarin. Hmm again.

“Is it acceptable to propose with a diamond watch instead of a ring?” someone asked. Ziyi’s answer? “I don’t know.” Later she recovered the fumble by saying she would definitely be won over by a watch AND a ring. Better watch out, Vivi Nevo!

Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, bringing you exclusive snapshots of the set of Desperate Housewives, all the way from Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Yessiree, Showbiz Sista got to set foot in the actual house belonging to Martha Stewart on steroids, Bree Hodge, as well as the Roccoco extravaganza that was Gabrielle Solis’s abode.

The anticipation mounts!

Here is part of the outside of Gabby’s house!

And this is Gabby’s bedroom, where all the action takes place.

Talk about opulent luxury… She’s a material girl, Gabby is. Are you ready for what’s coming up next?

Gabs’s shoe closet! Eee!

And now here we are in Bree’s front hall. Should we wipe our feet?

Here is where Bree holds her pitcher-perfect dinner parties.

And, in a corner of the kitchen… Bree’s characteristic stash of cleaning arsenal!

Stay tuned to TODAY to find out what’s in store in the newest season of Desperate Housewives, which is available on demand through SingTel mio TV’s Season Pass. For more information, visit www.singtelustv.com or call 1800 555 6000. 

Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Bree Hodge, Desperate Housewives, Gabby, Gabrielle Solis, Los Angeles, Martha Stewart, May Seah, Showbiz Sista

Greetings and salutations, fellow Stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, catching up with Phua Chu Kang, who recently got his little yellow boots walking all the way to Kuala Lumpur in the newest incarnation of hit sitcom PCK Pte Ltd: PCK Sdn Bhd, which premiered this week. Chu Kang and Rosie set up home across the Causeway, joining up with a new team of Malaysian neighbours and friends.

Okay, so it’s Gurmit Singh who speaks for Singapore’s favourite contractor, but that’s as good as we’re going to get! Want to know about the big move? Was it treachery on this Singaporean’s part? Was it for the fried carrot cake? Showbiz Sista finds out!

Why did PCK move to Malaysia?

Gurmit: Why? From PCK’s point of view, or from production’s? Haha! It’s all about globalisation. First it’s Malaysia, then he’ll go to Thailand, then India, then China then Russia.

All part of a great master plan?

Oh, yeah. He’s taking over the world.

So he’s going to be the best in Singapore, JB, Batam, and the whole world?

In the whole world. Possibly the galaxy, if he can. He’s just awaiting the mode of transportation.

Who knew he harboured such dreams of grandeur?

It’s very Ah Beng Ah Seng to do that!

Does he integrate well, or does he miss Singapore?

He’s doing fine because Singapore and Malaysia are similar in so many ways. We all live to eat and there’s a lot of food there. And of course Malaysia has a larger land area, meaning there’ll be more projects for him to build. He’s pretty comfortable there.

Where does PCK stand on the chicken rice-chilli crab war between Singapore and Malaysia?

Well, you know, PCK loves Malaysians, he loves his Malaysian fans, he loves his Malaysian customers, but he has to be Singapore first, so of course he’ll say Singapore wins the war.

How different is filming in Malaysia from filming in Singapore?

In Singapore, we shoot in studio. But in Malaysia we shot on location all the time. The house scenes are all shot in a real house. In the studio it’s ridiculously cold. Although I don’t feel that because I got my wig and I got my boots, so I’m always the warmest guy around. In Malaysia it was the opposite. It was always so hot.

So you were always the hottest guy around?

Yeah. With the boots and the wig. I don’t want people to think that I think I’m the hottest guy around! They’d be like ‘Yeah, right’!

Would you say that out of all the projects you’ve done or the characters you’ve played, PCK is the nearest to your heart?

Oh, yeah. He’s served me so well in my career. He’s brought me to places that I think as Gurmit, I wouldn’t have gone. I’ve met with VIPs, ministers, royalty. It’s amazing how this character can break down barriers. He transcends languages and hierarchy.

Who’s the royalty?

I can’t say, otherwise I’ll be killed.

You don’t think that Singlish limits us?

I’ve always been of the point of view that Singlish is unique to Singapore and something we should embrace instead of fight.

And yet PCK made fun of Ris Low.

Haha… Look at this Ris Low. Here’s the irony of it all. When Ris Low said ‘boomz’, everybody thought, ‘What the heck is she talking about? What is she doing? What is going on?’ Right? Now, use that same word boomz, and say it was said by Randy Jackson, the American Idol judge. Let’s say he was talking to David Cook and he said, ‘Yo dawg, you were da bomb, you boomz.’ Had he said that, everyone would have gone, ‘Wow, that’s such a cool word.’ So I actually empathize with Ris.

Catch Phua Chu Kang Sdn Bhd on Tuesdays at 8.30pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, in not-so-sunny Los Angeles. That’s right, Tinseltown is having an unusually frigid hiatus from its usual balmy temperatures—and you know what else is rather frigid? Calista Flockhart.

Yes, Showbiz Sista hobnobbed with the Brothers And Sisters star today and found her at best tired and really, really in character as the ailing Kitty Walker, and at worst, just plain disinterested and cranky. She didn’t say anything mean, but the way she fielded questions was listless and uninspired and a bit duh, really.

In contrast, her co-star Rob Lowe, who plays Kitty’s husband Senator MacCallister, was way more interesting—he did this cool thing where he pretended to be wearing a wig and sort of shifted his scalp around. Hoho.

“What’s it like to be SO pretty?” Showbiz Sista asked him. “If it weren’t coming from someone as pretty as you, I might think it was a backhanded compliment! With the emphasis on backhanded!” laughed Rob. “ I blame Alec Baldwin for all of it. Alec’s comment at the Emmy’s started this whole discourse on what I look like. I’m going to have to knock him silly with that.”

Then the lovely Calista poured cold water by tsk-ing disapprovingly and saying, “I work with this guy almost every day, and he doesn’t even think about it. It’s all about what’s inside and what he’s trying to do and how he’s acting. He doesn’t sit around and go ‘Oh, aren’t I pretty.’ He’s a good-looking guy, and makes me feel ugly, but I think it’s a non-issue for him.” Oh, pooh, pooh.

Thankfully, Rob saved the conversation with a witty, “It’s definitely a non-issue for my wife.”

For now, this is Showbiz Sista, signing out. Look out for more Brothers And Sisters stuff coming up in the paper! The latest season of Brothers And Sisters is available on-demand through SingTel mioTV’s Season Pass. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Brothers And Sisters, Calista Flockhart, May Seah, Rob Lowe, Showbiz Sista, SingTel mioTV

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, still reeling from having to work overtime trying to cover Fann and Chris’s wedding. Yes, trying is the word.

Caldecott’s top celebrity couple, Fann Wong and Christopher Lee, held their wedding banquet on Tuesday evening at the Shangri-La Hotel, inviting half the people in Singapore and lots and lots of fellow celebs.

“All media are free to cover the wedding,” said the email invite. What they neglected to add was, “From just outside the doors, oh, and by the way, please stand behind the yellow line.” There was even a hotel staff whose express duty all evening seemed to be shouting: “Move back! Take THREE steps back!”

See, Showbiz Sista used to think that good wedding PR entailed feeding the journalists (eg. Michelle Chia and Shaun Chen’s do), and/or inviting them into your home (eg. Zoe Tay’s do). Now, she’s adjusted her standards to “telling the journalists they should come prepared with tins of food and foldable chairs.”

“We knew the media would want to come anyway,” was the rep’s answer. Hmm yes. Showbiz Sista can’t think of a better way to spend her evening than peering through a crack in the door and reaching for the edge of Michelle Chong’s dress as she walks by.

Oh well. Congratulations, Fann and Chris. You’re finally married.

Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Christopher Lee, Fann and Chris wedding, Fann Wong, Showbiz Sista, Stargazing, Today newspaper

HEY THERE, it’s da Abang is in da house! (Or, if you have to say it in proper English – it’s the Big Brother is in the domicile.) Anyway… if you’re wondering what I’m doing here, it’s because I’ve been getting stars in my eyes, mostly of the Taiwanese variety.

The island formerly known as Formosa is a choice destination for many people here, but some of their choicest personalities have been making heads turn here.

Jolin Tsai (left) and Wu Nien-Jen (centre) at the NATAS fair

First, Taiwan tourism ambassadors, pop star Jolin Tsai and film director Wu Nien-Jen, popped over during the NATAS fair last month to expound the virtues of Taiwan, such as the wonderful beverage known as gao liang. The most famous one is brewed on the island of Jingmen, and it’s got a kick like a mule – trust me on this.

“Oh, that’s a man’s drink,” said director Wu, before going to describe the effects of imbibing in said beverage, the upshot of which is that there are several versions of the drink, with varying alcoholic levels – 28, 38, 48, 58 – with 58 being the strongest.

“That’s the kind of drink that you take before meals, after meals, any time,” he said, adding that it’s a great complement for any karaoke session – if you’re collapsed on the floor by then.

And what does Jolin think about it? “Yes, I’ve drunk it before. It’s nice,” she said demurely.

Jolin Tsai after a shot of gao liang. Just kidding

Moving on to things non-alcoholic, Jolin mentioned several music festivals that you should catch when you go there. She demurred to specifically say which one, but she said one of her favourites was the Blue Man Group, currently doing their rounds in Taiwan.

“You want her to say, ‘Watch my show’, right?” joked Nien-Jen. That director Wu, he’s such a kidder.

Speaking of music festivals, three of Taiwan’s top music draws – pop singer A*mei, rock outfit Sodagreen and urban foursome Da Mouth – popped in for the F1 Rocks Singapore With LG concerts at Fort Canning Park.

(from left to right) Sodagreen, A*mei, Jacky Cheung and Da Mouth at F1 Rocks

They were all happy and honoured to be part of the event, with Sodagreen also plugging their new album, Summer: Fever, the second of four concept albums they’re releasing in 2009-2010. The first was Spring: Sunshine, released earlier this year, and the next two are set for next year, although they declined to say whether it could coincide with the seasons.

“It’s going to be out in 2010, that’s all we know,” they said. “We haven’t even starting recording for those yet.”

No gao liang was consumed during their stay here – that we know of. Perhaps that might have helped when the technical glitch happened during their set at F1 Rocks. Guess we’ll never know.

Also on our shores during that time – Janet Hsieh (below), host of Fun Taiwan and all-round hottie, who was here filming a commercial at Ion Orchard and doing interviews to promote the TV show, among other things.

Other than working, she spent her spare time catching Beyonce at F1 Rocks and sampling the delicacies here – pandan cake, chilli crab, laksa, nasi lemak, chicken rice, thosai, fish head curry, etc. And if you’re wondering how she can consume so much and still keep that slender frame; well, she runs. A lot. In fact, she’s going to take part in a triathlon this coming weekend.

No gao liang was consumed during her stay here apparently, although she did bring a couple of bottles for us. (Yes, I know, I’m a lucky basterd.) She’ll also be releasing her book soon about her travels and life up till the time she joined the Fun Taiwan series. “It’s not like a travelogue. It’s more like my life, but told in travel stories,” she said.

Tune in next time, when I tell you what happened with the bottles of gao liang.

Tags: A*mei, Abang of the Airwaves, album, Beyonce, chicken rice, chilli crab, Christopher Toh, Da Mouth, F1 Rocks, film director, fish head curry, Formosa, Fort Canning Park, Fun Taiwan, gao liang, Ion Orchard, Janet Hsieh, Jolin Tsai, laksa, nasi lemak, pandan cake, Singapore, Sodagreen, Taiwan, Taiwanese, thosai, triathlon, Wu Nien-Jen

Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, with the shocking news that Dasmond Koh is now fraternizing with aunties. Yes, it’s aunties galore in the new variety show that Dasmond hosts along with Quan Yifeng, Housewives Pte Ltd, which premieres October 5.

 Is Dasmond the unsuspecting prey of heartland cougars? Does he prefer older women?

No, lah. He and Quan Yifeng  merely help them make the most of themselves. The programme assists housewives in starting their own small businesses such as a petsitting service, a marketing service and a party planning business, so they can use their free time to earn extra cash. You go, aunties!

“We saw a lot of different kinds of aunties, from the really down-to-earth type to the flamboyant type,” said Dasmond. “There are people who are really very shy, they dare not talk, they always whisper and you can’t get their voices down on tape, to those that can showcase whatever they want.” Well, it just goes to show that you can’t keep a good auntie down.

 So, did the aunties think Dasmond was cute? Is he popular with the housewives? “I don’t think so!” Dasmond protested. “I think my followers should be tertiary students; youngsters. Because I used to be from radio. The aunties might think that I’m okay, lah!”

 Making sure the aunties don’t rip Dasmond’s clothes to shreds is his close pal Yifeng. In their own time, they play badminton and go diving together, and talk about their problems—but things weren’t always this way. The first time Dasmond worked with Yifeng, “She was like, the don’t-know-how-to-handle type, because of her image. I was thinking I didn’t know how to handle her. She’s fast and furious! But she can really try to be compatible with whoever she’s working with so that I don’t outshine you and you don’t outshine me.” Guess Yifeng handles smoothly now.

 Catch Housewives Pte Ltd starting October 5, Mondays at 8pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!

Tags: Channel 8, Dasmond Koh, Housewives Pte Ltd, May Seah, Quan Yifeng, Showbiz Sista