Friday 30 November 2012

Jay Chou Is BLOND!!!!

It's been two days since His Royal DIAOness rocked the Jay Chou fandom with the pics of his scarily sculpted bod but I dare say the major talking point was THE BLOND HAIR!!!

Yup, our Superman is now a self-professed Golden Iron Man 金铁人 and I'm sure he would expect all sorts of reactions to his change of hair colour, whether they are good, bad or plain disbelieving!

He looks quite cute with this style and yes, definitely not at all like a 33-year-young man!
And no, I don't think he did this to emulate any Kpop star; that's just not his style.
Personally, I think this is just his way of being DIAO by following the GOLD theme as explained in my 12th Album Teaser post and although I couldn't believe my eyes at first, I've gotten used to it and can only applaud Jay for his daring-do. :)

Haha...I can't help wondering what the reactions of his staff and Mum were to the colour!
Some fans have been a little disconcerted and disappointed but that's not surprising...it IS quite a drastic change and it looks set to stay for awhile or at least until the album is released.


So without further ado....let's BEHOLD the GOLD!!!
NB: Pics all from widely-shared photos on Facebook Jay Fan Friends, Pages and Groups. Thanks all!








Jay was in Beijing today for a performance, flaunting his blondness and not hiding under a beanie like he usually does. To me, that signals how comfortable he is with this and that he thinks it's DIAO!










With Xiao Mai:




With a fan backstage, who caught his nunchucks in a 2006 concert:




And he looks SOOOO HANDSOME here:



On stage...I think he looks GOOD!!



THE DIMPLE!!!! *heart*




THE DIMPLE again!!












Here's the vid of his concert performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqoZlmBucD4&feature=g-all

And a message from Jay on Xiao Mai's weibo (translation courtesy of Kelvin from JCS):

 杰倫:今天是第一次以最新的造型在內地開唱了 大家不要嚇到啊哈哈 小麥笑說二十歲當實力歌手 三十歲才當偶像歌手 好像跟別人反過來了吧。 八塊肌除了麥當勞之外 得來不易 !哥練的不是肌肉 哥練的是…毅力 哈哈 希望我的毅力可以影響到你們 這也將表示接下來新專輯的音樂 會有多屌了。

Jay: Today is the first time I held a concert in Mainland China with the new look, don't get scared everybody haha Xiao Mai laughed saying I was a pro singer at 20 and I've only becoming an idol singer at 30, it seems like the opposite of what other people do. Besides Mcdonalds the 8 pack was not easy to obtain! Big bro is not training muscles, big bro is training...perseverance haha I hope my perseverance can influence you, this will express how diao the music in the new album will be.





Oh. My. JAY!!!!

Is he HAWT or what???

*faints*

*revives*

What do you guys think??


Update on 3 December from Nini's weibo.....omg...

 

Wednesday 28 November 2012

DIAOness Update: Jay Chou's 12th Album Teaser!

WARNING:

This post is NOT for the faint-hearted!



OMG...I'm still hyperventilating and my heart is still palpitating from the latest updates on Facebook about His Royal DIAOness' teaser for his new album!!!!

Check out these pics of his arms, abs, pecs and wow! THE HAIR!!!!















I nearly fell off my chair (again, like when he first unveiled his abs for Rooftop) when I saw these pics on Facebook tonight!
Yes, they've been flooding my News Feed and fans everywhere have been tweeting and Sharing freely.
The overwhelming reaction has been one of awe and shock, with some professing that they do not like his muscular new bod but the majority of the fans are excited and happy that Jay has once again, done something unexpected and DIAO!
True, he looks a trifle Kpop-ish but considering the fact that he's 33, this new image is all the more incredible yet soooo Jay!
That nonchalant and insouciant attitude is still there, complete with cheekbones, pouty lips and all!

Well, this fangirl here LOVES what she's seeing and is super-hyped-up for the new album.
I only hope that his songs will NOT sound Kpop-ish even if he looks Kpop-ish.
But somehow, I just have a feeling this album is going to be all kinds of awesome. :)



I'm awaiting Kelvin's translation of the news on JCS and will link it here once it's ready.

http://www.iwant-radio.com/showinformation.php?sisn=29517&ln=big

[Update on 29 November 2012]

http://www.multistars.com/forums/index.php?topic=15349.msg295291#msg295291

Meanwhile, this is what I've gleaned from my own reading:

The colour gold is significant for Jay viz
1) Fifteen Golden Melody Awards
2) Two Golden Horse Awards
3) Curse Of The Golden Flower

And hence for his latest album...the GOLDEN hair!

Jay has been directing the MVs for all twelve tracks and wants to be known as the strongest and fittest director in Asia. He feels that this is something different as there are already many singers and artistes who are fit but not a director.

He has also been occupied with editing the MVS and post-production work and promises that his new physique will be shown off in the MVs (YOWZA!!)

The preorder for "Twelve New Works" (literally translated) will be on 12 December with a scheduled Asia-wide simultaneous release on 28 December 2012!!!

Can't wait!!!!!

Monday 26 November 2012

Chou Merchandise

I recently acquired three more treasured pieces of Jay Chou merchandise.


1) Jay Chou The Era 2010 World Tour Crystal Music Box

Measuring 10.5x13.5x14.5cm, this beautiful limited edition crystal music box was sold out in Singapore when Jay held his three concerts here in 2010.
The piano is an instrument synonymous with Mr Chou and the song played out when it's wound up is 可爱女人(aka ke ai nu ren), the title track from his very first album back in 2000....he has come a looonngg way indeed!

This was something I had to hunt high and low for and finally found one via a trusty contact.

As with all of Jay's merchandise, quality and style are never in doubt. Here, even the box is in a class of its own.



As for the music box, it is truly a thing of beauty:













2) Mr J UONE headphones

Music listening just got a little better. :)



3) Jay Chou Figure: World Tour 2007 Series: Singapore

This was also from a trusty contact. :)
Isn't it cute??
See the Merlion on his teeshirt? 



Jay's merchandise never disappoints!



Sunday 18 November 2012

Edward Cullen vs Jay Chou

Apart from Jay-mania, I'm also a certified Twilight fan and am firmly on Team Edward!
For last year and this, the release of the final two films in the Saga has always been around November.
Along with Breaking Dawn Part 1 in 2011, Jay also released his 11th album around the same time so I came up with the following post which was first shared on Multistars Forums back then.

I shall re-post it here on this blog to share with my readers who may not have ventured into reading my other Fandom Is Fun blog.

We're now in 2012 and I'm now getting ready to attend a Complete Twilight Saga Movie Marathon come 21 November and feeling all high about two of my most favourite guys, although one of them is fictional. ;)
And of course, Jay's new album is due for release in December, with a possible broadcast of the first single on 19 November. 




So here goes:



My two fandoms collided this November, what with Jay's new album and the release of Breaking Dawn Part 1!
It was somewhat inevitable that my brain would wander into comparing Edward Cullen, the unconventional and fictional vampire versus Jay Chou, also unconventional but a very real and red-blooded human (or is he??).

So here are my musings thus far: (Twilight/Jay fans will understand this but others may read it for a laugh!)

First, the similarities:

1) Music!

Both Edward and Jay play the piano, compose and have tremendous musicality.

2) Cars!

Both are crazy about cars and fast ones, at that!

3) Sports!

Edward loves baseball; Jay loves basketball.

4) Skin!

Edward, of course, has amazing skin but Jay's can easily rival his...in fact, one of my friends, when she first found out about my Jay-mania...her first comment was: He has such beautiful skin!

5) Superhero!
Jay is of course, Superman and as for Edward, Bella initially wondered if he was like a superhero from the comics!

6) Filial piety

Edward thinks the world of his vampire parents, Carlisle and Esme. Like Jay's tremendous love and respect for his mother and grandmother, and I'm pretty sure, his Dad too.

7) No need for sleep?

Edward NEVER sleeps and Jay, seemingly, does not require much either, judging by the way he works!

8) Virtuous

They're both quite old-school, which is really nice!
Edward cares about Bella's 'virtue' and Jay cares about his (girl)friends' too, from what he has mentioned numerous times about not wanting to be photographed with them by the pappz so as not to 'tarnish' their reputations.

9) Wealthy!

Both are RICH!!!!

10) Facial features

Here's a description of Edward's face from Eclipse:

"...the hard square of his jaw, the softer curve of his full lips---twisted up into a smile now, the straight line of his nose, the sharp angle of his cheekbones, the smooth marble span of his forehead..."

Could easily describe Jay's face too, ya?
Especially the cheekbones part!
No mention of dimples on Edward tho'!;)

11) Immortality!

Edward is a vampire....vampires are immortal. 'Nuff said!
Jay is The Incomparable One, whose immortality will span more than just The Era, thanks to his music and other works. :)

12) Magic

Edward can read minds (all except Bella's!).
Jay can apparently do the same too when he performs magic!



Now for the differences( which are quite obvious, really):

1) Diet

Edward only drinks blood.
Jay can eat anything!

2) Dates

Edward doesn't date.
Jay...definitely does!

3) Water

Edward swims well...of course.
Jay is hydrophobic!

4) Languages

Edward speaks like, a thousand and one languages.
Jay is, unfortunately, still quite monolingual, in spite of his TGH experience. :(

5) Self-confidence (or lack thereof)

Edward has this continuous self-loathing and doubt.
Jay...the complete opposite!

6) Old vs young soul

Edward is, well, definitely an 'old' man at heart.
Jay has alot of the child in him still. :)

7) Sense of fun

This probably relates to Point 7.

Edward is really quite serious most of the time whilst you can always count on Jay to have fun at his friends' expense, playing tricks on them!

Anyone wants to add on??
Feel free to do so!!

Monday 12 November 2012

DIAOness Updates (2)

Just a few updates on what Jay has been up to the past few months, including a couple of new songs for other artistes and some news on the new album.

1) Jay writes song for MV for 'Journey To The West', an online game, sung by Edison Huang Huai Chen.

http://www.multistars.com/forums/index.php?topic=15320.0



I did not think much of it on first listen but after a couple of times, it grew on me and I do like it quite a bit now. :)


2) Jay writes song for 'The Guillotines', sung by Chris Lee (Li Yu Chun):

http://www.multistars.com/forums/index.php?topic=15322.0


It's a beautiful zhong guo feng song, in keeping with the movie. :)


3) Based on clues from various sources, it would appear that Album #12 will have:

a) zhong guo feng/R&B
b) love songsc
c) lively young-at-heart songsd
d) inspirational and uplifting songs


4) And finally... the first single from Jay's new album is scheduled for release on 19 November!!!


Can't wait!!!!



Wednesday 7 November 2012

Jay Chou Studio

I've had several possible topics for my next post running through my head the past few days....all focusing on even more aspects of His Royal DIAOness but I somehow suddenly realised that it's about time I paid a proper tribute to a HUGE reason I was able to get to know Jay so well and in so short a time, despite not being fluent in Chinese initially.

Yes, regular readers (if there are any...lol!) will notice that I have shared loads of links to a certain website aka Jay Chou Studio (aka JCS), which provides up-to-date news items about Jay amongst many other things:

http://jaychoustudio.com/

and its related forums, Multistars Forums:

http://www.multistars.com/forums/index.php

What was and is so special about JCS was that it is a totally-English Jay site, which was a boon to me, a white-washed Chinese in an Asian country who had the good fortune to fall in love with the King Of Mandopop, somewhat late in life but not with any less enthusiasm. ;)

As stated in an excerpt from my testimonial on the occasion of JCS' 8th birthday in August 2011:

"I remember going literally quite nuts about Jay after that (watching The Green Hornet), buying up his albums, books and dvds and then realising I needed to find translations for his songs...which naturally led me to JCS.
I remember emailing Kelvin an enquiry about Grandeur de D Major...and being pleasantly surprised when he replied!
That made me venture into the forums (which I had not done so initially) and I saw how friendly everyone was.
I finally took the brave step of registering and after more lurking, made my first comment on 18 March.
The welcome I got from kelvin, hav and fluffy convinced me I had done the right thing and well, the rest is history. :)"

Indeed, I dare say I was and still am a very active member on the forum, which has gone through its quieter and more lively phases over the past fifteen months of my participation there. Some members have opted out for personal reasons; new members have joined in with gusto; some chip in occasionally and many simply read and lurk. ;)

At this point, it would be criminal if I did not give a shoutout to Kelvin, the JCS admin (aka Mr Chopperman aka Boss) who started everything in 2003 and is still holding everything together admirably for, by now, nine years and counting...and all from his home country somewhere in England (of all places!).

Here's another excerpt from my testimonial:

"Thanks a gazillion for the history lesson and for not giving up on this forum, Kelvin, even when times were not-so-great. I think the main reason it never could have died was because our dear Jay has kept going all these years, with his unending quest for doing new things to fulfill his dreams, which had the effect of garnering him new fans who would eventually find their way here to JCS. :)
(Btw, Kelvin, I want to compliment you on how well-organised the site and forum are.
And what an awesome Boss you have been, without imposing tons of rules and regulations or issuing threats)."



The website is indeed very easy to navigate, with sections clearly labelled for all things Jay-related viz Discography, Awards, Translations (of lyrics, in Chinese, simplified and traditional, and English), etc. I am still totally awed by its comprehensiveness as it speaks volumes of Kelvin's support for Jay and commitment to providing a website for non-Chinese-understanding fans of Mr Chou.
Jay Discussion, Jay Gallery, Jay Videos and the recently-added Jay Fan Fiction will have you giggling, swooning or debating....and hopefully sharing.

Thanks also to the lively forum discussions, I have made friends with many of Jay's fans from all over the world, some of whom have even connected up with me on Facebook to share even more interests (you know who you are!).
And Kelvin acknowledged as much in his message on the testimonial thread:

"It's incredible that this site has managed to keep going for 8 years and it's really all thanks to you! I can't tell you the number of times I thought about closing down for good but when I see people actively using it and making friends, all the hard work makes it worthwhile. I honestly want to thank everyone who's been posting here for the last year, I think we really started to pick up again after a drab year last year. I would thank you all individually but alas I know I would miss out names and it wouldn't be fair."

Well, we are now awaiting Jay's twelfth album in December and the forum has picked up again. I've no doubt we will prevail where other (English) websites have not.

I also hope that my readers will take the time to explore JCS and Multistars Forums as they are a treasure trove of information and discussion about Jay Chou.
Even better, register as a member and join in the fun with your comments, posts and whatever else, because the Foum is not all about Jay only. There are sections and threads which discuss other stars, movies, and well, anything you can think of!

Two great things my regular postings on the forum have done for me:

1) My love for writing was reignited as I ventured into starting new topics and liking the look of my written words online, I guess that's how it also led to the creation of this blog.

2) Helping to translate vids, articles and books for the other forum members led to a tremendous improvement in my Chinese language proficiency (as I had to read and/or listen before translating!), which has also enabled me to communicate comfortably with yet another group of Jay fans who speak mostly Mandarin and opened up a whole new vista of Jay fandom for me viz the Jay Chou Malaysia and Singapore fanclub.

So for those of you who have not visited the JCS site or registered as members on Multistars....what are you waiting for??

Hope I'll see many of you there soon 'cos Jay always has something or other happening in his life and JCS is THE place to get the best news....in English!