Dating News: Condor Heroes Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen

Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen's relationship has been out in the open since August 2015. I'm going to find a rock and crawl under it because how could I have missed this?

Various media outlets are speculating that the two are planning to get married and netizens even claim that Chen Xiao bought a diamond ring whereas Michelle Chen was spotted wearing one. Neither party confirmed nor denied the rumors so to see is to believe.

Despite doing very well ratings-wise, Romance of the Condor Heroes which starred the couple as leads has received non-stop criticism. I'm probably in the minority when I say that I still liked this version regardless of its many shortcomings and I'm glad their love story continues on.

It's interesting to note that not one but two couples who played the titular roles of Xiao Long Nv (Little Dragon Lady) and Yang Guo got together in real life. In case you didn't know, it is none other than Singaporean/Malaysian power couple Christopher Lee and Fann Wong who gave birth to a baby boy not too long ago. Update: Mao Xiao Tong and Chen Xiang who played the roles of Guo Fu and Lu Zhan Yuan became a couple too. 

Sources: CZTV, ENT163 

Tzuyu from k-pop group Twice apologizes for nationalism controversy

I find it ridiculous that I am using k-pop and Chinese politics in one sentence but for sixteen-year-old Chou Tzuyu, it has become one of her misfortunes from being a public figure.

Twice is JYP entertainment's recently launched k-pop girl group whose members were chosen from a reality show called Sixteen. There are 9 members - 5 from Korea, 3 from Japan and 1 from Taiwan. I happen to really like their debut song, which is cute, catchy and rightfully showcases the talent of these youthful rising stars who worked hard to earn a place in the spotlight.

Alas, the group that is only a few months old is mired in controversy because Tzuyu has come under fire for waving the Taiwan flag at a Korean variety show called My Little TV. Honestly, the more I read the more riled up I get.

The culprit is a middle-aged singer from Taiwan named Huang An who accused Tzuyu of being a pro-Taiwan activist. Huang An is known for being a snitch. Pardon the language, what I meant to say is that he is extremely pro-China making a name for himself by outing people that support Taiwan independence. Nevertheless, his allegations caught on and Tzuyu was slammed by Chinese netizens resulting in endorsement cancellations and possibly a ruined career. 

This whole debacle is a reminder of how the internet can be such an easy medium for cyber-bullying, which is precisely what seems to be happening. I am trying my best to understand the reason behind the backlash and to put it nicely, I can kind of see that passionate individuals who feel strongly about politics might not want to support someone who holds opposing ideals and they have a right to their own opinions.

But what did Tzuyu do wrong? She never expressed her political views on TV. She is a performer focused on music and the arts. Besides, the flag was probably a prop given to her because what flag do you give to someone who's from Taiwan?

If anyone really had to be at fault here, I would blame the PR team for their failure to consider the repercussions of a mindless act that has been blown out of proportion since clearly, Taiwan-China relations is too sensitive a topic that should have been handled with care.

Yet what's done is done and what's left is a witch hunt on the innocent victims who are being used for political reasons. I have been to Taiwan and they use the same flags everywhere so for Huang An or netizens to pick on a minor for waving one is a complete overreaction. Huang An even has the nerve to post on Weibo (China's version of twitter) that he is proud Tzuyu finally apologized.

It was painful to watch her apology given how unfair the situation is. In the video, Tzuyu repeatedly says sorry and explicitly states her support for One China. If those were her real views, then I respect that, but it was more likely a desperate move by her company to appease the haters. 

It's disappointing to see what the world is becoming and I sincerely hope she comes back from this.



Source: ChineseKpopstarz

Dating News: Crystal Liu, Yang Mi and Liu Shi Shi, the ladies of Chinese Paladin

I must have been living under a rock because I just found out that Yang Mi is a new mom.

Crystal Liu, Yang Mi, Liu Shi Shi and Tang Yan all of which had a starring role in Chinese Paladin are four of the most beautiful faces dominating today's wuxia films and the most recent one to be in a relationship is Chinese actress Crystal Liu Yi Fei (born 1987) and Korean actor Song Seung Heon (born 1976). Both admitted to dating since May 2015 when they met during the filming of the movie called The Third Way of Love.

Song Seung Heon rose to international stardom due to the 2000 k-drama Autumn In My Heart, which grew in popularity all over Asia spearheading what has become the Korean wave. He briefly dated Korean actress Sung Yuri but the two split up in 2003. Twelve years later and he finally found romance in Crystal Liu who is 11 years his junior.

I seriously don't judge but I know 11 years might be quite substantial for some people. Yet lo and behold, there is another such example in Yang Mi (born 1986) and Hawick Lau (born 1974). I have never seen any of Hawick Lau's dramas but because he is playing the lead in one of my favorite wuxias The Legend of Flying Daggers, he is now on my radar. After dating for a few years, the couple tied the knot at a Bali wedding in 2014 and welcomed their baby girl in the same year. In case you didn't notice, Tang Yan was the maid of honor.

Last but not the least is Liu Shi Shi (born 1987) who has been dating Nicky Wu (born 1970) since their popular TV series Startling By Each Step (Bu Bu Jing Xin) ended five years ago. Bu Bu Jing Xin was definitely a force to be reckoned with, garnering such a large viewership that it is going to be remade into a k-drama called Moon River starring none other than IU.

As an avid fan, it is quite endearing to see the couple you root for actually get together in real life. The story of Si Ye (4th Prince) and Ruo Xi continues to this day as the power couple held a civil wedding back in 2015 and are preparing for the actual ceremony some time this year. They trump everyone else with a whopping 17-year difference, which goes to show that love knows no boundaries - neither language nor age. 

Sources: CNHubei1, CNHubei2, Xilu

Hu Ge wine tasting for Bazaar China

Bazaar China's November Issue features Hu Ge attending an extravagant wine tasting event, socializing with the other guests and turning up that sophisticated charm of his. 

Is it just me or does every frame feels like it should belong in a wine commercial and not a very good one at that? I suppose the only things missing are dramatic instrumentals and a smooth talking narrator to sell the story. At least Hu Ge is still smoldering and smexy, especially in the photo above where he gets to play off his energy with an equally attractive model. 

Sourced from Bazaar China's Weibo.

William Chan and Dilraba Dilmurat reunite for Bazaar China

The concept for William Chan and Dilraba Dilmurat's fashion shoot for Bazaar China's November Issue is that of "Sorrowful Juliet." I am not cultured enough to understand what they're going for but does it even matter? Because I'm seeing a whole lot of pretty and my favorite is Dilraba's partially focused profile shot that highlights her features especially those expressive eyes of hers.

The cutest part is their playful weibo exchange on Aug. 18. William Chan posts a back and white photo and adds the caption, "little martial junior, long time no see," in reference to their characters in Sword of Legends. 

Dilraba responds, "someone posted a black and white photo, this is the correct way to do it," as she posts a similar photo taken in full color of themselves seated at the same staircase in a different pose.

More pics on: Weibo