Fahrenheit (Taiwanese band): Difference between revisions
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Derived from the definition of [[fahrenheit]], each of the four members represents a season or temperature that corresponds with their different personalities. [[Calvin Chen]] represents [[Spring]], warm; [[Jiro Wang]] represents [[Summer]], hot; [[Wu Zun]] represents [[Autumn]], cool, and lastly, [[Arron Yan]] represents [[Winter]], cold. Each of the four members also has his respective temperature represented on the Fahrenheit scale: Calvin Chen is at 77 degrees, Jiro Wang is at 95 degrees, Wu Zun is at 59 degrees, and Arron Yan is at 41 degrees. |
Derived from the definition of [[fahrenheit]], each of the four members represents a season or temperature that corresponds with their different personalities. [[Calvin Chen]] represents [[Spring]], warm; [[Jiro Wang]] represents [[Summer]], hot; [[Wu Zun]] represents [[Autumn]], cool, and lastly, [[Arron Yan]] represents [[Winter]], cold. Each of the four members also has his respective temperature represented on the Fahrenheit scale: Calvin Chen is at 77 degrees, Jiro Wang is at 95 degrees, Wu Zun is at 59 degrees, and Arron Yan is at 41 degrees. |
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[[Wu Zun]] was born and raised in [[Brunei]] for most of his life, later graduating with distinction at [[RMIT]], in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]]. He was introduced to the entertainment industry during a trip to [[Taiwan]]. A [[television producer]] discovered him during this trip, and recommended him to play the lead male role of ''[[Tokyo Juliet]]'', which Wu accepted. |
[[Wu Zun]] was born and raised in [[Brunei]] for most of his life, later graduating with distinction at [[RMIT]], in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]]. He was introduced to the entertainment industry during a trip to [[Taiwan]]. A [[television producer]] discovered him during this trip, and recommended him to play the lead male role of ''[[Tokyo Juliet]]'', which Wu accepted. Nevertheless, Wu Zun is also getting married with Yang Yang Jin in august 15th this summer. |
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[[Arron Yan]] moved to [[New York]], [[USA]] at a young age but later returned to Taiwan for [[high school]] and [[college]], currently attending [[Chinese Culture University]]. Around early [[2005]], [[HIM International Music|HIM]] [[record producer|record producers]] had been searching for elite bloggers around the web. They discovered Yan, who, at that time, was really popular online, and thus recommended him to go casting for a role in a drama. Yan thought it was a fraud at first, but after several tests, he realized that it was true. |
[[Arron Yan]] moved to [[New York]], [[USA]] at a young age but later returned to Taiwan for [[high school]] and [[college]], currently attending [[Chinese Culture University]]. Around early [[2005]], [[HIM International Music|HIM]] [[record producer|record producers]] had been searching for elite bloggers around the web. They discovered Yan, who, at that time, was really popular online, and thus recommended him to go casting for a role in a drama. Yan thought it was a fraud at first, but after several tests, he realized that it was true. |
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Revision as of 22:49, 27 April 2007
Fahrenheit |
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Fahrenheit (simplified Chinese: 飞轮海; traditional Chinese: 飛輪海; pinyin: fēilúnhǎi) is a Taiwanese boy band that has recently achieved success in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, as well as the rest of Southeast Asia. This group consists of four members: Arron Yan, Wu Zun, Calvin Chen, and Jiro Wang. They are managed by Jerry Fen's Comic Productions Co., Ltd. and records albums with HIM International Music. They are also managed by WOW Music [1] in Hong Kong. Fahrenheit are often associated with their seniors, S.H.E, and are commonly referred to as the most successful Taiwanese boy band after F4.
They released their self-titled debut album, Fahrenheit, on September 15, 2006.
Background
Derived from the definition of fahrenheit, each of the four members represents a season or temperature that corresponds with their different personalities. Calvin Chen represents Spring, warm; Jiro Wang represents Summer, hot; Wu Zun represents Autumn, cool, and lastly, Arron Yan represents Winter, cold. Each of the four members also has his respective temperature represented on the Fahrenheit scale: Calvin Chen is at 77 degrees, Jiro Wang is at 95 degrees, Wu Zun is at 59 degrees, and Arron Yan is at 41 degrees.
Wu Zun was born and raised in Brunei for most of his life, later graduating with distinction at RMIT, in Melbourne, Australia. He was introduced to the entertainment industry during a trip to Taiwan. A television producer discovered him during this trip, and recommended him to play the lead male role of Tokyo Juliet, which Wu accepted. Nevertheless, Wu Zun is also getting married with Yang Yang Jin in august 15th this summer.
Arron Yan moved to New York, USA at a young age but later returned to Taiwan for high school and college, currently attending Chinese Culture University. Around early 2005, HIM record producers had been searching for elite bloggers around the web. They discovered Yan, who, at that time, was really popular online, and thus recommended him to go casting for a role in a drama. Yan thought it was a fraud at first, but after several tests, he realized that it was true.
After Calvin Chen graduated high school in Taiwan, he further pursued his college education in Canada, where he completed his masters degree in Economics at University of Victoria. He then further continued his life in Canada by joining a pageant-like competition (Sunshine Boyz) in Vancouver,[2] where he won first place with a free ticket to Taiwan and a contract with a music company, as well as a role in a drama.
Jiro Wang graduated in Taiwan's Fu-Shin College. He was first asked to join the entertainment business because of his good looks and singing talent that he showed at a singing competition. Because of company difficulties, he failed to release an album, so therefore decided to continue his career in the industry by working backstage, mainly in charge of fashion designing and other designing necessities, as well as commercial modeling. He was approached again around 2004, when his acting career began.
Although unstable at first, Fahrenheit first gained minor recognition around late 2005 when their first all together series, KO One, was broadcasted on television in Taiwan. Because it felt awkward to have only three members in a boyband, Wu Zun joined the group later in late 2005. On December 28, 2005, Fahrenheit officially became a vocal quartet boy band.
Musical career
Rise to stardom
Before Fahrenheit released their first album in September 15 of 2006, they gained minor attention as singers from contributing in several Taiwanese drama soundtracks. Their popularity immediately rose after the soundtracks were released, but was only limited to Taiwan and Mainland China. After their first album was released, their fan base had extended to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and the rest of Southeast Asia. Overseas fans such as from North America and Europe are also getting more familiar with them.
As soon as announcements for their debut album pre-order was released on August 30, 2006, the album broke past 10,000 copies. [3] After its release in September 15, 2006, the album entered the G-music charts and was ranked #2. It was less than 1% below Jay Chou's Still Fantasy album, which came out two weeks prior to the release. [4] Fahrenheit's album sold passed an impressive 80,000 copies in Taiwan within the first month. [5] Ultimately on the G-music Mandarin Charts their album was ranked 11th for the top 20 of 2006 and stayed in the charts for 17 weeks. [6] Their primary song, or zhuda (Traditional Chinese: 主打; pinyin: zhǔ dǎ) song, I Have My Young (我有我的Young) was on Hong Kong's Global Rhythm List as the Top 16th song for weeks. Their duet with Hebe of girl group S.H.E also won them several popular awards. Fahrenheit was also the first new foreign boy band to have won third place for Best Group at Hong Kong's TVB8 Awards. Although unable to defeat their seniors S.H.E and Twins, who had won first place and second place respectively, they have beaten Hong Kong's local boy bands such as Sun Boy'z and Soler. In less than a year, Fahrenheit has already won eight awards. Despite the outburst of winning multiple awards, there had been debates where fans disagreed with the awards that they have won. The most debated topic was when Fahrenheit won HITO Music Awards 2007's Best Male Group award, arguing that Fahrenheit is too inexperienced to have won the award.
Popularity and success
With the help of starring in popular dramas, Fahrenheit has been the fastest moving boy band and has quickly gained their status as one of the top boy bands of the year in Taiwan. In within a year, they had already debuted in over 30 different magazine covers all over Asia. They make frequent appearances in Taiwan's Play and Color magazine covers. After their predecessors F4, they are the second Taiwanese boy band to hold a concert in Indonesia with only just one album released. They already held two mini concerts: one in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia in March 31 and one in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong in April 19. [1]
Fahrenheit attended to an opening ceremony for their new music label in Hong Kong, WOW Music, at Times Square, Hong Kong, on April 19, 2007, the same evening where they held their mini concert in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. They also attended with fellow label mate Tank as well as with other popular artists like Candy Lo and Mavis Fan. More than a thousand fans showed up at the mall, the majority being Fahrenheit's fans. There were fans who faced danger and climbed on roofs, cars, narrow roads, etc. to catch a glimpse of them. Some fans also fainted and were stepped on due to the amount of people. Over fifty security guards and ten policeman had to appear at the venue to protect Fahrenheit as well as the other artists. There were also some fans who rented vans to chase after Fahrenheit's vans. Some fans also became victims of car accidents because of this. At their mini concert in Hard Rock Cafe, the organizers had to cut down Fahrenheit's performance because the fans were going overboard and out of control. Fahrenheit expressed that they do no want their fans to do anything dangerous. Fahrenheit's company explained that if fans do not correct this behavior they will cut some of Fahrenheit's future trips to Hong Kong. [7]
Major concerts
Ever since Fahrenheit's meteoric rise to stardom, HIM has been giving quite a bit exposure for Fahrenheit, such as promoting the group in two of S.H.E's major concerts in Taipei and Singapore where they were seen performing their duet with Hebe as well as their own songs. Ever since their exposure had hit the Hong Kong market their company does not want to miss this chance for more promotion for the group and is currently organizing Fahrenheit's first major concert in Hong Kong in September at the HKCEC. It was reported that they are originally going to hold a concert in Hong Kong's renowned coliseum, Hong Kong Coliseum, but because all of the performances slots are full, they have to move their concert to a different venue. The chairman of WOW Music, Fahrenheit's new record label of Hong Kong, expressed that Fahrenheit is currently slated for performing in the HKCEC for one to two nights. In the winter of 2008 they will debut in the Hong Kong Coliseum. [8]
Members
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Chen, Calvin
Colloquialize Name: Calvin
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Wang, Jiro Colloquialize Name: Da Dong (大東)
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Wu, Chun
Colloquialize Name: Wu Zun (吳尊)
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Yan, Aaron Colloquialize Name: Yalun (亞綸)
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Musical style
All four members of this group have contradicting vocal ranges to complement each other when harmonizing. Wu Zun's voice ranges from within the bass-baritone to the upper-baritone. Therefore, Wu usually harmonizes as the supporting voice but sings more in songs when they are intended for a lower key. Wu's voice can be easily distinguished from his accent. Jiro Wang's vocal ranges are less wider than Wu's, but Wang has a higher voice, closer to a more tenor approach with vocal belting techniques. His voice is the easiest to distinguish out of the four because of its nasal sound. Calvin Chen and Arron Yan are the baritone to tenor vocalists of the group, and therefore are the predominant voices in most of their songs. Although their voices are difficult to distinguish at times, Yan's voice has a richer and higher voice and usually does the harmonizing with a vibrato while Chen's deeper and clearer voice usually does the supporting vocals. Ultimately, Yan has been acknowledged as the member with the most impressive vocal ability.
Despite having only one album release, Fahrenheit's songs mainly fall into the bubblegum pop and pop ballad category. However, songs like "Teachable Child" (孺子可教) and "Love Until" (愛到) are intended for a light R&B approach. Songs similar to "The Secret of Immortality" (不死之謎) are leaning toward the pop rock and rap genre, where they displayed their ability to rap and harmonize well.
Their much anticipated 2nd album is estimated to be released around August of 2007.
Discography
Studio albums
| Album # | Album cover | Album Information | Copies sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | File:Feilunhai first.jpg | Fahrenheit, First Self-Titled Album (飛輪海 首張同名專輯)
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Over 500,000 (Asia) (still charting) |
Revised editions
- October 12, 2006: Fahrenheit: First Self-Titled Album, Wild Day Out Special Edition (飛輪海首張同名專輯 帥酷神迷影音超值版)
- November 27, 2006: Fahrenheit: First Self-Titled Album, Final Collectible Edition (飛輪海首張同名專輯 王者魅力終極私藏版)
- March 23, 2007: Fahrenheit: First Self-Titled Album, Top Celebration Edition (飛輪海首張同名專輯 至尊慶功版) - Mainland China Limited
- April 24, 2007: Fahrenheit: First Self-Titled Album, Spring Limited Edition (飛輪海首張同名專輯 春日別注限定版) - Hong Kong Limited
Soundtrack contributions
| Album # | Album cover | Album Information | Tracks Contributed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | File:KOOne.jpg | KO One Original Soundtrack (終極一班 電視原聲帶)
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2. "Wandering Alone" (一個人流浪) 4. "Teachable Child" (孺子可教) |
| 2nd | File:Tokyojulietost.jpg | Tokyo Juliet Original Soundtrack (東方茱麗葉 電視原聲帶)
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2. "Only Have Feelings For You" (只對你有感覺) 5. "To Own" (佔有) |
| 3rd | 
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Hana-Kimi Original Soundtrack (花樣少年少女 電視原聲帶)
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3. "I Really, Really Like You" (超喜歡你) |
Film career
Similar to their seniors F4, each member of Fahrenheit has first gained recognition in particpating in certain idol dramas.
Jiro Wang was the first discovered among the four, appearing as a small character in The Pawnshop No. 8 and a supporting role in It Started With a Kiss as Ah Jin. Closely tracing his popularity that It Started With a Kiss has given him, his company decided to give him the lead role for KO One as well as Calvin Chen and Arron Yan for they were discovered around that same time. After KO One aired, HIM International Music decided that it was time for Fahrenheit to release their first studio album to fulfill fans' requests. Despite low ratings for the drama, the drama had brought huge national attention to Fahrenheit.
Wu Zun, however, was heading toward a different road. The last to join Fahrenheit, Wu starred in a seperate drama with Ariel Lin, a manga-based drama titled Tokyo Juliet. Following the success Tokyo Juliet has brought him, he was soon chosen to star in Hanazakarino Kimitachihe along with fellow band member Wang and S.H.E member Ella.
Hana-Kimi's pilot episode started off strong, posting a rating of 3.05[9] Until the premiere of Show Luo and Barbie Xu's Corner With Love, Hana-Kimi was the ratings king in its time slot. Barbie Xu bet that Corner With Love's first episode would reach a ratings zenith of 2.9; however, she was off by quite a bit, as Corner wound up with a mere 2.81, peaking at around 3.25.[10] Corner With Love proved to be no match for Hana-Kimi in subsequent episodes, as the latter drama's ratings broke 5.0 by its twelfth episode.[11] Ratings-wise, Hana-Kimi was dominant for each of its 15 episodes, ending off with a finale that averaged around 5.98.[12] In light of Hana-Kimi 's success, reports claimed that Selina and Wu would be acting in the sequel to It Started With A Kiss as a couple. [13] However, the director of the sequel stepped out and rebunked the rumor. Wang and Yan will also return for the sequel, reprising their original roles. Meanwhile, Wu, Wang, and Ella have been casted once again to star in the sequel to Hana-Kimi as Zuo Yi Quan, Jin Xiu Yi, and Lu Rui Xi, respectively. Reports revealed that filming for Hana-Kimi II will begin in the winter of 2007. [14]
In a recent report at Liberty Times, it is confirmed that Wu will be starring in a new manga-based drama alongside Angela Chang. Chen will also take part as the second male lead in the drama. If on schedule, it is reported that filming will begin in early May. [15]
Aside, it is also reported in various Chinese sources that Wu will be starring in a new Hong Kong-based film with Gillian Chung of Twins. Another report claimed that Wu is currently preparing for a new drama directed by actor/director Stephen Chow. [16] However, Wu confirmed that these films are still in talks.
Rumors
Disbandment
Arron Yan's injury
In the latter months of 2006 when the quartet were busy preparing for their debut album, the youngest member, Arron Yan, tore a ligament in the knee while filming a dancing shoot for their first music video single. Yan had to be brought to the hopsital to do surgery. He was hospitalized for well over three weeks. For four months the other three members of Fahrenheit had to attend to overseas album promotions and functions without the prescence of Yan. The Taiwanese media then composed rumors saying that Yan was a disadvantage for the group and that he was dragging the group behind, which would cause disbandment. More rumors surfaced saying that HIM was planning to dispose Yan so Fahrenheit could become a group of three instead of four, therefore complementing more with the prefabricated trio S.H.E. However, Fahrenheit stepped out and confirmed that Yan is still in the group despite his inconvenient condition. To prevent more rumors from happening, as soon as Yan was available he appeared more often in the future promotions with the other members, clearly seen using crutches. [17]
Wu Zun vs. Jiro Wang
Before Wu Zun's breakthrough performance in the Taiwanese drama Hana-Kimi, most fans considered Jiro Wang as the band leader due to his memorable performances as the supporting actor, Ah Jin, in It Started With a Kiss and the first male lead, Wang Da Dong, in KO One. Wang was also granted as the male lead in many of Fahrenheit's endorsement ads and commercials. The paparazzi reported that Wang was starting to feel overshadowed by Wu because Wu was slated as the first male lead in Hana-Kimi while he was bumped down to the second. The media claimed that Wang was feeling kicked down and he was not getting the fair share of male leading roles as Wu. (Wu was also the male lead for another Taiwanese drama, Tokyo Juliet.) It was rumored that Wang was planning to leave Fahrenheit so he could attack Wu's popularity and also focus more on his career alone. After the release of Hana-Kimi, it had become a fact that Wu was now the most popular among the four; Wang closely second due to his often exposure to the media on television and newspapers. Since Wu was also getting more movie and endorsement offers than the other three, it was also reported that Wu was planning to leave the group as well so he could focus more on his personal goals. To cause more controversy, the media reported that Wu and Wang were also fighting to be the "No. 1 brother" of Fahrenheit and were not getting along. . [18]
Mini Fahrenheit?
Fans of Calvin Chen and Arron Yan were beginning to feel that they were getting neglected from the majority. Some fans suggested for Chen and Yan to form their own little duo group aside from Fahrenheit to attack Wu Zun and Jiro Wang's popularity. However the majority of the fans disagreed with this suggestion and replied that they would much rather support Fahrenheit as a whole. To rebuff more similar rumors, Fahrenheit's manager replied to the incident and said that Fahrenheit would not be splitting any time soon because they are currently signed to a five year contract. Wu also spoke and confirmed to the audience that they are still together, saying that although Fahrenheit do have their own offered projects, they will still appear together as a group to album promotions, onstage performances, and other group activities. [19]
Awards
| Year | Awards |
|---|---|
| 2006 |
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| 2007 |
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References
- ^ a b Template:Zh icon [1] (Fahrenheit Storms Through Hong Kong) April 21, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "wow"" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Template:Zh icon 2004 SunShine Boyz. 2004. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [2] (Pre-Order of Fahrenheit's Debut Album Sold 10,000 Copies Within 4 Days) September 5, 2006. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [3] (Fahrenheit Almost Topped Pres Chou) September 25, 2005. Retrieved April 10, 2007.
- ^ [4] (Wu Zun sears chart with hot boy band) October 12, 2006. Retrieved April 7, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [5] (G-Music Top 20 of 2006) December 31, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [6] (WOW Music Grand Opening: Fans Faint for Fahrenheit). April 20, 2007. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [7] (Fahrenheit to Hold First Major Concert in Hong Kong) April 4, 2007. Retrieved Appril 22, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [8] (S.H.E surprises Jolin Tsai at her performance; Ella pretends to be a general). November 29, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [9] (Da S gambled on TV ratings and happily lost NTD20,000). January 8, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon China Daily News (ROC). [10] (Hana-Kimi ratings break 5.0; Ella, Wu Zun and Jiro Wang crack hazelnuts in celebration). January 22, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [11] (Summer x Summer cast shows up at premiere; Fahrenheit wishes them luck). March 18, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [12] (Jiro Wang rewarded three times more by acting in It Started With A Kiss II). March 13, 2007. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [13] (Wei Lun comes to partake in ceremony; Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng extremely nervous when acting wedding scene). March 30, 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [14] (Wu Zun and Angela Zhang To Be In a New Drama). April 11, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [15] (Ah Giu, Wu Zun to Film New Movie). April 19, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [16] (Arron Yan Tears Knee Ligament, Embarassed of Leg Hair). August 18, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [17] (Wu Zun, Jiro Wang Fighting For "Big Brother"). Retrieved April 23, 2007.
- ^ Template:Zh icon [18] (New Mini Fahrenheit Group to Attack Wu Zun). April 21, 2007. Retrieved April 23, 2007.
External links
- Official
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