It’s truly a pleasant surprise to see how my affection for Vanness Wu has grown over the years. He was the totally forgettable fourth F4 member in Meteor Garden, the one who was greasy and acted way too cool. As an actor he was bottom of the barrel for me, and as as singer he was merely serviceable as the falsetto in the group. Then came his personal epiphany years ago where he found God, quit drinking and smoking, and went on a public chastity vow that has persisted to this day. Whatever happy juice he’s one is working wonders for bringing out the best of his talent. I have been madly in love with his solo albums these past few years, and actually watched both his last two dramas Material Queen and the daily drama Ti Amo Chocolate in part because his songs for those dramas were so kickass. He also has a fabulous eye for collaboration, the theme song from MQ “Is This All” was written by Ryan Tedder of One Republic, while he adorably paired up with Junho from 2PM for “Unbeatable” which was the theme song for Ti Amo Chocolate. I love both songs so much it’ts on my permanent play list, and now his latest single looks to join the rotation. The teaser was just released yesterday for the first single of his new album called “Different Man”. It has a very dubstep beat and Vanness is showcasing his fantastic hoofing skills in the teaser where he integrates Shaolin kungfu moves with hip-hop. The official MV won’t be released until May 20th but he’s done a great job getting interest revved up high. Check out the teaser, some stills from the filming where he dances with handfuls of gold dust, plus a walk down memory lane with some of his addicting songs from the past. Watching the MV for “Is This All” with scenes from Material Queen made me relive the memory of how perfect the first ten episodes of that drama was (absolutely the most stunning TW-drama ever filmed) and how insane and terrible the entire second half turned out. Luckily I forget easily and retain memories of only the good stuff.
Teaser for Different Man:
Vanness Wu featuring Ryan Tedder of One Republic “Is this All” from Material Queen MV set to the drama scenes:
Vanness Wu and Junho from 2PM “Undefeated” from Ti Amo Chocolate:
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So excited! I agree that VW was forgettable in Meteor Garden, but he totally redeemed himself (to me) in Autumn's Concerto. Never made it past ep 5 of Material Queen - not because of him, but because of the lead female's character. I could foresee her making lots and lots of really stupid choices and him always forgiving her, which would just make me mad. But it was MQ that introduced me to his singing and I quickly found the album with "Is This All" so I could play it on repeat :)
Haven't watched Chocolate though. Never found subs for it.
Oh I remember him from Meteor Garden. He actually stood out for me when he cringed when Barbie played the piano at the party.
The look on his face was priceless.
I actually liked him in MG. The role suited him and I liked the long hair. Cannot watch AC because of him and the leading lady. I can't even bring myself to watch Chris Wu parts because of the leading lady. At least Nikkie can act even tho' DH is driving us nuts right now.
Wait. I know both of these songs! I didn't know they were part of dramas! Well I knew the Junho collab was...but I loved the song with Ryan Tedder. I don't follow Vanness Wu but Material Queen looks good. Maybe I'll give it a try.
If you like Material Queen you will love Autum's Concerto. Moreover there is Chris Wu.
Vaness WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!
Okay, I am really not going to fangirl today. I am a grown woman. Why am I squeeling like a tween?!?!
I know that feeling all too well whenever I see some specific young guns (MBLAQ's G.O., JYJ's Yoochun, Shinhwa's Eriiiic for instance). :D
I like VNW's real persona but I'm not too fond of his acting skills and music style.
Thanks for the empathy. I am going to be in South Korea this summer to study, and my daughter warned me against trying to go the JYJ concert/fan meeting because she is afraid I would create an international incident. That Yoochun could stop a bullet train with that smile. Ooops, fangirling again.
Bwahaha. My mind has no problem picturing that scene tho I bet there'd be plenty of international Cassiopeia screaming from the top of their lungs and/or squealing as well. ^^ Fangirling is a safe means for your inner child to express her(?)self. :) ;)
내 한국어는 어떻케 지내? Have you scheduled attending TV music shows to get a glimpse of some of your fave singers or visiting popular drama spots/shooting scenes?
Would Taiwan be on your next travel list in the event of a VNW concert?
@denali. I would love to win the lottery and travel the world and be a stalker *cough* I mean an 아주머fan of everyone. I would just travel looking for drama sights. However, I am going to Korea to study the language for my research on college readiness. Sigh. I slept very little this year to get funding for this trip, so I don't have money to go anywhere else. I will be trying to go to some drama related places in Seoul like the Namsan stairs and the cable car. Any suggestions? Maybe I will have more time during my sabbatical year (2015-2016) to take other trips.
@trotwood: I would recommend the Hongdae area, not just because of its fine arts college. In fact if you've seen the Coffee Prince drama starring Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye, you will easily spot it - and be disappointed, but that's another storu. There is also the café shown in Flower boy ramyun shop with Jung Il Woo, amongst other places. Very often variety and drama PDs like to shoot scenes in this Seoul area. Also indie bands sometimes perform on the Hongdae Playground, which I seem to recall was shown in A gentleman's dignity with Juniel and CN Blue's Lee Jong Hyun as Jang Dong Gun's son.
@denali. Thanks. I heard about the whole Coffee Prince shop thingy. sigh. The family gave me the dvd of Queen In Hyun's Man for Mother's Day (you should have seen the shameless hinting--every week for a month I had a different still from the show as my computer background). Anyway, I am getting some ideas from the show.
I still remember Vaness Wu from meteor garden way back in early 2000s and I cringe every time I see him act before but autumn concerto changed it for me.... I could not stop watching Vaness Wu! Totally a fan girl for him :-)
yay, VANNESS WU!!!!!!!! i think he's a fabulous musician, though i still find him rather 'meh' acting-wise. maybe i'll try ti amo chocolate once i can locate subs...
Vanness is unforgettable in Meteor Garden for only one reason-- his lackadaisical acting only topped by his godawful hair that looked like a broom... Flash forward to Autumn Concerto, where his acting improved in leaps and bounds and his short hair further highlighted his sharply defined features :) haha too bad there was a scene-stealing Chris Wu which left me torn between the two :) Will try Material Queen someday...His "Undefeated" is really catchy!
You got me totally addicted to his song from Material Queen ! Thank's :)