Jan.2008 A to Z magazine interview

The Gentle Fahrenheit: An Innocent Interview from A to Z

Agent - How do you interact with your agent or agency?
Wu Chun: I talk openly with my agent, even if my opinions are contrary to the company's. I would communicate my thoughts to them and not keep them to myself.
Jiro Wang: Communication is very important. If our ideas are different, I would take the initiative to provide my point of view. Seek a middle ground. Everybody only wants the best. Since we are on the same boat, we can find the best solution.
Aaron Yan: My agent and I are like friends. A few years ago, my agent discovered me. Since we have been together for many years, there bound to be times when we fight. But, we would continue to communicate, try to find the best way to resolve a issue. My agent often moves me. Whenever we work late, he would drive me home instead of letting me take the taxi, even though he lives in the opposite direction. I really thank him for all his efforts.
Calvin Chen: We are like friends. There are a lot of agents at the agency and a lot of publicists at the record company. If I only treat them like work partners, then work would be very formulaic.

Breakfast - What is your favorite and most often eaten breakfast? Have you given breakfast to the girl you like?
W: Milk, oatmeal, and fruit. I have given breakfast to my girlfriend, because a day starts with breakfast. It's important to me. So, I want my love to have a beautiful start of a day, too.
J: Many times I would wake up after the breakfast hour. So, I would drink my mom's healthy mix. She makes this veggie/fruit combo drink, somewhat like a power soup. Though it tastes nasty, my mom would always say the nastier it tastes the better it is for me. Sometimes, she would make too much, like 1000CC. I would be drinking until I feel like my stomach is about to explode. Often times, I have to get out of the house right away. So I would drink it in one gulp. And I would be stuffed. When I was in school, girls would give me breakfast. I would also give breakfast to the girl I like.
A: Continental breakfast, including egg, sausage, and bacon. It tastes great and is nutritious. Girls have been giving my breakfasts and lunches since grade school. I used to like oil rice. So, they would give that to me.
C: If it weren't for work, I usually don't eat breakfast. I like Chinese breakfast. I like soy drink, rice drink, rice bun. My favorite is Cantonese porridge. When I was in Canada, I had picked up my girlfriend in the morning. Before going to work, she would finish the breakfast I bought in my car.

Cosmetics - Even though you are a guy, but as a celebrity, what kinds of cosmetics or skin care products are in your bag?
W: There are only basic skin care products in the bag. The most important being moisturizer. Before I leave the house, I would put on some foundation and shape the brow. We had gone to make-up class, so I know some basics.
J: There aren't many skin care items. The only skin care I do is put on a face mask when at home. Cosmetics have company sponsors. So there are a lot of MAC products. In the beginning, I had the best make-up skill in the group. Now, everybody is very good at it because they do it everyday. Practice makes perfect.
A: I would definitely have SPF lip balm because my lips turn dark very easily. I also have eye cream because my eyes gets puffy easily. Before I entered the business, I didn't know anything about make-up or skin care. But my mom would force me to put on face mask, so I have habit of applying face mask.
C: I have the basic skin care and cosmetics. Sometime when we go on a show, we have to put on make-up on our own. That's why I have them.

Drama - In the arena of drama, besides portraying your character, what other jobs are you interested in?
W: I'm interested in marketing, script-writing, and directing. When I was on set, I would discuss the script with the writing team and camera angle with the director. As for marketing, I have my own gym that needs promoting, and I studied marketing, so I'm interested in it.
J: Script writer or director. I watched many drams being filmed, and I also have done a 20 minutes short film with classmates at school, so I have knowledge in scripting, editing, and plot line setup. The short film was a love story. I was not the male lead, but a technical director. Teacher gave us a good review.
A: Director and costume. I'm interested especially in costume. I like clothes styling and have good sense regarding clothing style. I think I can do the job.
C: Project marketing. I may do project budgeting and marketing. Since I have studied business, so I understand these things.

EQ - In Fahrenheit, who can control their emotions the best?
W: I'm pretty much in control of my emotions. I don't have too much of negative feelings.
J: Wu Chun. He has the least temper.
A: Calvin is the best. A little better than us.
C: Probably Jiro! Since he is in the business the longest and has learned many ways of handling people, he can get over negative feelings easier.

Fahrenheit - If there has to be one more member, what kind of person would you want?
Wu Chun: Personality is most important. This person has to be sincere, work hard and have good attitude. Ability or appearance is secondary. That member can be a girl, too.
Jiro Wang: No more! Four is enough! Can we reduce the number? Haha.
Aaron Yan: I wish it's a girl who is popular with the audience and is multi-talented. She should also have her own style.
Calvin Chen: No, four is just enough! Everybody should be thinking same thing. (Editor cut in: Too bad, only you and Jiro said the same thing! Haha.)

Group rules - Does Fahrenheit have unwritten group rules?
W: Under certain situations, we can't take pictures with fans or sign on a white sheet of paper. But it depends on the situation. If the fans have waited a long time and there aren't too many people around, we would sign for them. Before coming to this shoot, I met a fan downstairs who wanted to take a picture with me. I agreed. When they are happy, I'm happy too.
J: We can't go against benevolent cultural norms, societal ethics, civil duties, and traffic rules.
A: There is no group rule. After the first album release, we are over our adjusting period. We treat each other's flaws like sweet burdens and begin to appreciate those flaws.
C: We can't go to night clubs. Our agency actually controls a lot. They felt that we are an idol group and our fan base is relatively young, therefore we should avoid certain places. I think they don't want us to go to the billiard either.

Hypocrite - How would you feel if you encounter a hypocrite in real life?
W: I hate that kind of people. I had many experience. I don't like really fake people. If I meet them, I would avoid talking too long with them or spend to much time with them.
J: Very hurt! I have encountered before. I couldn't accept them, so I cut them out of my life. I like making friends. I treat my friends with importance. If they betrayed me, I would be very upset. It's as if they had lied to me.
A: I hate that kind of people! I have principles. People should be themselves. I hate people who would do anything to get what they want. Hate them to the bones!
C: Everybody has the right to be themselves. If I know a person is a hypocrite, I will avoid this person.

Importance - What is the most important thing to maintain a group spirit?
W: Communication. To tell others how you feel is very important. When we first met, we would keep things to ourselves. It's until one day, we decided to lay all the bad blood out in the open. After that, we have better communication.
J: To accept other people's habits. For example, I spray a lot of hair spray causing people to cough. But l keep spraying. Please understand this about me. There is no use in communicating.
A: We have to trust each other. We should never think that our group mate might try to hurt us.
C: Time. We are a group for over two years. By now, we are like an old couple who know each others' personalities. We get along very well now.

Japan - How is your experience promoting or traveling in Japan? What do you like about Japan?
W: Before promoting in Japan, I was there 15 years ago. I was only around 12. What I remembered the most was experiencing an earthquake in Japan. It was my first earthquake. Brunei doesn't have any earthquake, so it had frightened me. Plus, we lived by Mt. Fuji. We were afraid that something might happen. I like Japanese cuisine, especially ramen.
J: The employees and the fans are very polite. My first time to Japan was for promoting "It Started with a Kiss." All the fans were very orderly at the airport. They stood behind the line, and didn't push. They just screamed and took pictures. They politely passed the gifts to the employees. Everybody knows the rules. It's what's special about Japanese fans. They left a very good impression on me. My Japanese is from Japanese dramas. I always like watching and have learned a few words from the shows. As for actor, I like Takuya Kimura. My favorite dramas are "Long Vacation," "Ikebukuro West Gate Park," "My Boss My Hero," and "Nodame Cantabile."
A: Last August, I went by myself to the Barco Department Store at Nagoya hosting a meeting of fans. I remember after they sold the tickets, the company told me it was sold out in two days. When I found out, I was so touched and happy. When I got there, there were more fans outside the door. I don't know how the Japanese fans know about me. Probably from the Chinese pop magazines. The Japanese agency was very helpful. That day, I sang a few lines wrong. The Japanese fans didn't pick it up, but the Hong Kong fans in Japan did. Haha. I like Japanese clothes. There are so many things to buy.
C: Before I was a celebrity, I had traveled to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Ryukyu Islands. Of which, the experience I had at Ryukyu with my family is most memorable and is the favorite. I felt Ryukyu is at good as Guam or Palau. It can be called the "Hawaii of Asia." Ryukyu is very simplistic. Even the food is healthy and good for the body. It's a good vacation destination. Very relaxing.

KTV - Besides singing your own songs at karaoke, who else's songs would you sing?
Wu Chun: I mostly sing old English songs at karaoke. Songs from seven or eight years ago.
Jiro Wang : I usually don't pick our songs. It's always other people. I have to sing for them. Karaoke is a place where everybody have fun. So I would sing very upbeat songs, like those from Stanley Huang or Chemistry.
Aaron Yan: I will never sing our songs. It's awkward. But if other people purposely picked it, then I would have to. I like to sing songs from Shin, Leehom Wang, Alex Li, and Nicky Lee.
Calvin Chen: I would always choose TANK's "Jie Tou Ba Wang" and Show Luo's "Jin Wu Men."

Lyrics - Have you ever forgotten your lines?
W: When I do forget, it's only one or two lines. But when I hear the other members sing it, I would remember the rest. Some songs everybody takes turn to sing a few lines. I may accidentally sing other people's lines.
J: I don't usually forget the lines. Most I would forget is the sequence, screw-up A1 and A2's order. I would sing a few words and realize my mistake. Then I would be scare back to the correct section.
A: At Nagoya, I accidentally sang the main portion twice. The hardest song to remember is "Chu Shen Ru Hua." It's stinky and long. And, every segment is different. Ha, that song is fast, and lyrics is hard to remember. (Editor cut in: It so happened that the songwriter was sitting next to him when we did the interview and heard his bloody criticism about the song being stinky and long.
C: I never forget my lines. I have a great memory. I remember lyrics or script very well.

MSN - What is your latest MSN nickname? Do you have celebrity friends on MSN?
W: I don't use MSN. I have an account, but I'm too busy to use it.
J: My most recent one being "I'm busy, too." MSN celebrity friends include Fahrenheit members, Danson Tang, Candice Liu, and Dong Cheng Wei's Shu.
A: It's been a long time since I used MSN. It still has "GTV, Monday to Friday, The X-Family." From July of last year to now, I didn't have time to log on and change it. MSN celebrity friends include Evan Yo, Zhang Rui Jia, Calvin and Jiro.
C: Mine is always "sunshine Calvin." Recently, I added my mood, which is "Everyone has their own principles." My MSN friends are mostly people I worked with, like Angela Zhang, Genie Chou, and Huang Xiao Rou. Genie loves changing her nickname and loves to write her current mood.

Nickname - What are some impressionable nicknames the fans have given to you or your group?
W: All of them make me a little embarrassed. Probably because I'm not used to it. Nobody had called me that before so I feel weird. The most interesting nicknames are "Shi Shen Chun" and "Xiao Lin Chun." Calvin began using it, then the fans caught on.
J: My dramas gave fans the impression I'm the big boss or big brother. So, they usually call me "Tian Ge" (The character he portrayed in "The X-Family) or "Dong Ge." Some fans actually called me "babe" in a letter. It's a little embarrassing.
A: The nickname "Lun Lun" is a little gross. But, most people call me "A Bu," which I have used since high school. The oddest experience was when fans called me by my real name in the public and the reporters didn't know who they were calling for. As for our group nickname, the most impressionable being "A Hai." It's probably because the Taiwanese fans know us most and like to joke with us. The nickname feels generous and Taiwanese, but it sounds like a seafood store. Kind of funny.
C: Fans would take us four as a family. They call Wu Chun "Daddy Chun," and me "Mommy Ru," then Jiro and Aaron the kids. I thought it's creative. What embarrassed me the most is when fans call me "Honey."

Overseas - Which is your most meaningful, special overseas promotion tour?
W: It's when I went to Kinmen to promote "Romantic Princess." It's my first time going back to my hometown. All my distant relatives and friendly town's people made it very memorable.
J: Last year when our first album came out, we went to promote it in Guangzhou. My dad was from Guangzhou, so it's like my hometown. The first time I went there, I was impressed by the beautiful sceneries, as well as, the abundant products.
A: Each time is meaningful. I went to Japan three times last year and bought huge numbers of clothes. One time, I came back to Taiwan with two full suitcases more. It's great. Every overseas promotion is like traveling. Even though, we don't have time to play, it feels like traveling just by looking at sceneries.
C: Last year's album promotion was on my birthday. Every place we went, I cut a cake. I cut total of 20 cakes.

Photograph - What techniques have you learned from shooting for album, promotional photo, and magazine?
W: I give the photographers every angle and let them or the editors choose the best one. I don't really look at my photos.
J: You should get up early on the day of the shoot. Like today, for FANS shoot, I forgot about this technique. Haha. I think you should get up at least two hours earlier, and don't drink water after dinner the night before. If you are really thirsty, it's better to eat some fruits. Also, I have hair partition, so I tend to take pictures from my left side.
A: There is nothing I need to do when I'm thin. But, everything when I'm fat.
C: After all the photo shoots I been through, I know how wide my smile should be.

Question - Which question are you tired of the media asking?
W: Gossip about love interest. Actors tend to become friendly while they work together. But, because the media would make a big fuss about it, our agencies would tell us to not be too close. We just want to have fun, to be happy. Work is tiring enough, why can't we even have some fun? It's because we get along so well, we hang out together.
J: Do members not get along?
A: Our personalities. We are changing at every moment. The answer would be different each time.
C: Is Fahrenheit not getting along?

Record - What are your habits during recording?
Wu Chun: I wear a T-Shirt and a loose pant. Before going in the recording studio, I would eat something to fill me up. After I finish, usually three or four hours later, I would be tired and hungry. So I would go for a big meal.
Jiro Wang: I would do some exercise before hand, like cross jump or push-ups, as a warm up. After I go into the recording studio, the producer would let me eat first and talk with me to help me open up my voice. When I officially begin recording, I would close my eyes. That way, I would be more concentrated and more involved. Since I would be closing my eyes, I would memorize the lyrics before hand.
Aaron Yan: I need the teacher to tell me that I'm on a stage and there are millions of people listening to me. Ha, whenever the teacher say that, I sing better. I would prepare a bottle of warm water and keep a cough drop in my mouth. Then, I would put the cough drop in the water turning it into a cough drop water.
Calvin Chen: I would turn the light to really low. It'll be just bright enough for me to see the lyrics. Then, I would take off all my accessories and hat. Let myself relax. (Editor cut in: Next time, why don't you take off all your clothes too? Being naked in the recording studio could be more relaxing! Ha!)

Superman - Within Fahrenheit, who is most suitable to become Superman in term of personality or appearance?
W: That depends what area. Aaron is the singing superman. He is forever singing. He never stops. Jiro is fashion superman. He has his own style. Calvin is book and stock market superman, ha. I'm definitely the gourmet superman.
J: Wu Chun. I remember we had a photo shoot, and the theme was movie characters. We had Spiderman, Magician, King Kong, Harry Potter, etc. Wu Chun was assigned Superman.
A: Everybody is a superman. Calvin is the lubricant superman. He is very important. He gets everybody to play together. He is a born PR. Jiro is the stage superman. He has great stage presence. Even if he is unhappy offstage, he can still be cheery onstage. Wu Chun is a considerate superman. He is very cute. Sometimes, he acts like a mother. He nags a lot, reminds people the little things. I like to have good working mood, so I would try to make workplace a happy place.
C: Wu Chun has the appearance. His body is perfect to become the superman. But as for personality, it would be Aaron. He likes to help resolve disputes. If he sees unjustness, he would point it out. He likes to help others.

Time - When is your favorite time in a day?
W: Morning, when I first wake up. I like the sun very much, and dislike darkness. That's why morning is my favorite. No matter how tire I was, I would never sleep past 12PM. I automatically wake up after 6 hours of sleep, never more. In the past ten years, I hadn't slept over 6 hours, not even when I stayed up all night.
J: Sleeping time. Lying on the bed after taking a shower is the best time of the day.
A: Three o'clock in the afternoon. It's because my face is not puffy anymore. And, I'm way pass the grudging mood of first waking up, ha.
C: Between 12:00 to 2:00 midnight. I just got home and took shower. I could relax and watch some television or go online.

Unforgettable - Thinking back last year when your first album was released, what is your most unforgettable event?
W: The moment I got my first CD, I was super happy! I even bought 300 copies using my own money to give to my family and friends. First, it's because I'm happy. Second, it's too increase sales volume! Haha! (Editor cut in: It was already selling crazy. Did it need more help? Why don't next time Wu Chun buy 300 copies of FANS?)
J: The most unforgettable event is the super intense and exhausting promotional period. During that period, we went on 7 to 8 shows each day, from morning to evening. It's super exhausting.
A: When Fahrenheit was first formed last year, we had put out an album right away. We didn't know each other until the promotion period. Thank goodness we went through that adjusting, fighting, communicating period to finally forming a bond. At first, we didn't get along when we were in the car. To now, we are so adjusted it's comfortable. It's very unforgettable. I've learned a lot.
C: On September 15 when we released our first album, we text each other that morning to give each other support. It felt like we were going to a battle.

Vocal - Whose vocal do you like?
W: (Editor cut in: When Wu Chun couldn't think of an answer, Aaron was hinting jokingly for Wu Chun to choose him. Instead, Wu Chun said, "I'm already sick of hearing his voice.")
J: I like the vocal of the Japanese lead singer for L'Arc~en~Ciel, Hyde.
A: Ethan Chan, Jacky Cheung, A-Mei, and Beyonce.
C: I like Maria Carey. Her vocal is great.

Weight - After you became a celebrity, how do you maintain your weight?
W: If I over eat one meal, I'll find time to walk off the calories.
J: Multiple meals in small portions. It allows my body slowly digest the food and avoids excess fat deposits.
A: I'm not too good in maintaining my weight, especially when I go overseas. I would be eating a lot on the plane and more when I get to the destination. Plus, the employees themselves are too busy eating to remind us to eat less. And, they don't want us to be hungry, so they usually would prepare a lot of food. So, it's really easy for me to gain weight working overseas.
C: If I eat too much this meal, I'll eat less next meal. I never eat midnight snacks.

X - It's the new year. What flaw would you like to change about yourself?
W: Don't think too much. Let my mind take a rest.
J: I'm too out there sometimes. I need to hold it back a little.
A: I've improved gradually on many aspects of myself. I used to always express my displeasure and affect other people's mood. I've changed. Now, I would think before I act. And, my thoughts are more positive. Not so gray. I wish I'll be even better.
C: I wish I wouldn't take things to hard. Open up my heart.

Year - For the rumored 2008 Fahrenheit concert, what do you look forward to the most?
W: Of course, I can't wait for it. We had always been the special guests in someone else's concert. In our own concert, we have to carry the entire event. It would be great. And, seeing a whole room of fans supporting us, we will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment.
J: I look forward to the special guest. I wish Dong Cheng Wei would perform at the concert.
A: I look forward to playing on a very large piano. One with special design. I'm still thinking which design would be really cool. Look forward to it.
C: I look forward to the special guest, too. I want to know at the Fahrenheit concert, who we can work with, create what kind of spark?

Zoo - Which animal do you want to look at the most? And, which one would you want to change identity with?
W:It's been a long time since I went to a zoo. I remember I used to like panda. But, the Brunei zoo only has tropical animals. So I never seen a real panda. So if given the chance, I would like to see a real one. I don't want to change identity with the zoo animal, because it doesn't have freedom.
J: I want to see dinosaur. But, I can never see it because it's extinct.
A:I used to love hippo. Its roundish fat appearance and huge mouth is adorable. But after I grew up, I thought it stinks. I don't know why I ever liked it. If I can change identity, I want to be an eagle. I can fly and attract everyone's attention. I'm afraid of being ignored, ha.
C: I want to see polar bear. I don't want to change identity. I like being Calvin Chen.

-- Credits to WaterOB @ http://community.livejournal.com/frhfeilunhai/