Fann Wong

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Fann Wong
范文芳

Birth name Fann Woon Fong
Born January 27, 1971 (age 35)
Singapore Singapore
Notable roles Chon Lin (Shanghai Knights)
Xiaolongnu (Return of the Condor Heroes)
Jane (The Truth About Jane and Sam)

Fann Wong (Chinese: 范文芳; pinyin: Fàn Wénfāng; born January 27, 1971), birth name Fann Woon Fong, is a Singaporean Chinese actress, singer and model. A top film and television actress in her home country Singapore, she has also starred in numerous films and television series in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. She has gained recognition in the United States for her role as Jackie Chan's sister in Shanghai Knights. She is currently based in Singapore under the management of MediaCorp.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early days: Television stardom in Singapore

Fann Wong and Chen Hanwei in The Morning Express (1995).
Enlarge
Fann Wong and Chen Hanwei in The Morning Express (1995).

Born to middle-class tailor parents in Singapore, Fann shared a hectic childhood with three siblings (an elder sister and a younger brother and sister). She was educated at Temasek Secondary School, where she took her GCE 'O' Level examinations in 1987.[1]

At the the age of 16, she won a beauty contest organised by Her World, a Singapore fashion magazine.[2] She started a successful modelling career in Singapore, and spent the next two years modelling part-time while simultaneously continuing her education by taking her GCE 'A' Level examinations in a private school, followed by a diploma course in fashion merchandising at the LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts.[1]

In 1993, Fann took up modelling full-time by basing herself in Taiwan for more modelling work. One of her earliest successes was a Taiwan-shot Oil of Ulan (now Olay) television commercial, which was aired in Taiwan and Singapore.[2][3] The following year, while modelling in Taiwan, she was discovered by a Singapore television producer who cast her in a Singapore drama series titled Dreams Come True.[2] Fann soon starred in two more Singapore television series, The Challenger and Chronicle of Life.[2]

Her role in Chronicle of Life won her the Best Actress Award and the Best Newcomer Award in Singapore's 1995 Star Awards, after only a year in the Singapore television industry.[4] In 1996, her role in The Unbroken Cycle won her her very first regional nomination at the Asian Television Awards.[5] She continued to star in a large array of drama serials, including A Romance in Shanghai (produced in Shanghai), Wild Orchids (filmed in Sydney) and Brave New World (filmed in Amsterdam and Belgium).

In late 1996, Fann released her first Mandarin pop album Fanntasy in Singapore, which contained a duet with Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.[6] This album, retitled I Live Alone and repackaged with two additional songs for the Taiwanese market, won 4 IFPI platinum sales awards in Taiwan and was the start of Fann's regional success.[2][7]

[edit] Late 90s: Rise of regional popularity

From left: Christopher Lee and Fann Wong in Return of the Condor Heroes (1998).
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From left: Christopher Lee and Fann Wong in Return of the Condor Heroes (1998).

In mid-1998, the simultaneous release of Fann's hit wuxia drama Return of the Condor Heroes, and her second album, Shopping, further increased her exposure and popularity in Taiwan and China.[8] She was so popular that when the famed Hong Kong director Derek Yee caught Fann in her Shopping MTV on Channel V in Hong Kong, he flew to Singapore to cast her as the lead actress in the Hong Kong art movie The Truth About Jane and Sam.[9] This gritty wild-child role won her a Best New Performer nomination at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000.[10]

In 1999, Fann released her third album Missing You, recorded Private Number with British boyband 911,[11] and performed Moments of Magic, Singapore's official millennium song.[2][12] These musical successes resulted in her being the first Singapore artiste to stage a solo paying concert ("My Story" - Fann Wong In Concert) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2000.[13] That same year, she released her fourth Mandarin album, No Problem.[14]

In the next few years, Fann began to focus on acting for television and film, with varied work such as a feminist Hong Kong film When I Fall in Love... With Both,[15] a romantic Singapore television series Looking For Stars,[16] and an action-packed Taiwanese period series Madam White Snake.[17] During this time she also began hosting travelogue shows, including Travel Hunt: Japan and Fann Adventure (filmed in South Africa and Malaysia).[18]

[edit] 2003: Hollywood

From left: Fann Wong, Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson star in Shanghai Knights (2003).
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From left: Fann Wong, Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson star in Shanghai Knights (2003).

In 2002, Fann became the first Singaporean actress to score a major role in a Hollywood production, Shanghai Knights, directed by David Dobkin. When she appeared in her first Hollywood role Chon Lin alongside international stars Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson in early 2003, she received accolades in the Asian and Western media, and was subsequently nominated under the Best Fight category in MTV Movie Awards 2003.[19] In 2004, she won the Singapore Street Festival's Best International Artiste Award.[20]

[edit] Recent years

In 2004, Fann continued work on China period dramas such as Moon Fairy and My Fair Lady which gradually consolidated her presence as the top Singaporean actress in China.[21] Amidst this, she still had time to shoot a Singapore serial on the SARS epidemic, Always On My Mind, which won her a Best Actress nomination in the 2004 Star Awards.[22]

In mid-2004, Fann snagged a lead role in the German-Singapore telemovie, House of Harmony, opposite German-based English actor Philippe Brenninkmeyer and Hong Kong actress Maggie Q. In April 2005, Fann was invited to the Cannes MIPTV Media Market where she promoted House of Harmony and discussed possible collaborations with European industry professionals.[23] House of Harmony has since been telecast in Germany, Austria, France and Belgium to a combined prime-time viewership of over 80 million.[24]

That same year, Fann also took on a lead role in a Taiwanese art-house romance film, Dragon Eye Congee, which was nominated for five categories at the inaugural Asian Festival of First Films.[25]

In Singapore, Fann is known for her talent in illustrating comics. In late 2004, she published a comic book, Girl Illustrated, featuring articles, illustrations and exclusive photos of her on the Prague set of Shanghai Knights.[26] In June 2005, Fann released her first Mandarin compilation album, In Love With You, after a hiatus of 5 years.[27] In August 2005, she made her voiceover debut in Singapore's first 3D animation film, Zodiac, The Race Begins, which was released in early 2006.[28]

[edit] Fan base

Fann has a sizeable fan base in Singapore, China, Taiwan and much of Southeast Asia - including Vietnam, where she performed at a concert in 2004.[29] The Chinese media regard her as '新加坡首席女星' (Singapore's top female star),[30] while in Singapore, she is termed an '阿姐' ('Ah Jie', literally translated as 'Big Sister', a term of affection to mean a female celebrity highly respected in the local entertainment scene).[31]

Her duet with British pop group 911,[11] and performances in Shanghai Knights and House of Harmony have boosted her presence back in Asia, where she has garnered an increasing number of roles in co-productions with China film and television companies. Despite her success overseas, however, she still remains a committed member of the fledgling Singapore film industry, lending her support to local film productions such as Zodiac, The Race Begins and Jack Neo's Just Follow Law.[32]

[edit] Personal life

Fann has been attached to fellow Singaporean actor Christopher Lee since late 2002.[33][34] She has had only one prior romance of 11 years.[35] She is well-known for zealously safeguarding her private life from scrutiny, and shies from media scrutiny in this regard.[36]

[edit] Works

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Films

Year Title Chinese Role Country of production Film company
2007 Just Follow Law 我在政府部门的日子 Tanya Chew Singapore J-Team and Innoform Media
2006 Zodiac, The Race Begins 生肖传奇 Voiceover for Snake and Cat Singapore Cubix Pictures
2005 Dragon Eye Congee: A Dream of Love 龙眼粥 何心悦 and 张音 Taiwan Lee's Production
2003 Shanghai Knights 皇家威龙 Chon Lin USA Spyglass Entertainment and Buena Vista Pictures
2000 When I Fall in Love... with Both 月亮的秘密 Joy 乐乐 Hong Kong Golden Harvest Pictures and Film Unlimited
1999 The Truth About Jane and Sam 真心话 Jane 阿真 Hong Kong MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and Film Unlimited

[edit] Dramas

Year Title Chinese Role Country of production Notes
2007 TBA 家和万事兴 柳欢 China 3-episode Chinese New Year film
Making Miracles 奇迹 刘书研 Singapore
2006 Lu Xiao Feng 陆小凤传奇 沙曼 China HD telemovie
Magical Hands 猜心妙手 公主 China
Women of Times 至尊红颜 王曦怡 Singapore
2005 House of Harmony 融之堂 Mei Ling 美玲 Germany and Singapore Telemovie
My Lucky Stars 福禄寿三星报喜 麻如意 China
Beautiful Illusions 镜中人 王毅芯/Joeann Singapore
My Fair Lady 我爱钟无艳 钟无艳 China
2003 Always on My Mind 无炎的爱 关斯嘉 Singapore
Moon Fairy 奔月 嫦娥 China
2002 Brotherhood 有情有义 李婷 China and Singapore
2001 The Hotel 大酒店 小芳/玫瑰 Singapore
Madam White Snake 青蛇与白蛇/白蛇新传 白蛇精/白素贞/秦萧萧/西施 Taiwan and Singapore
Self Destruction 自体毁灭 Minmin, Marlene Taiwan Web Movie
Heroes in Black 我来也 柳非雁 Singapore
2000 Looking For Stars 星锁 Orange Singapore
The Legendary Swordsman 笑傲江湖 任盈盈 Singapore
1999 Out to Win 步步为赢 Coco 张文华 Singapore
1998 Myths & Legends of Singapore: Lady of the Hill 石叻坡传说之红山林姑娘 红山林姑娘 Singapore
Return of the Condor Heroes 神雕侠侣 小龙女 Singapore
1997 The Accidental Hero 流氓英雄 赵丽 Singapore Telemovie
The Matchmaker's Match 四点金 香姑 Singapore Telemovie
1996 Brave New World 新阿郎/一路风尘 林晓云 Singapore
Wild Orchids 再见萤光兰 柳莹 Singapore
A Romance in Shanghai 新上海假期 简妮 China
The Unbroken Cycle 解连环 叶琴/李香美/朱之月 Singapore
1995 The Golden Pillow 金枕头 李明珠 Singapore
Somewhere in Time 再世情缘 沈英 Singapore Telemovie
Sparks of Life 生命火花 马嘉嘉 Singapore
Morning Express 阳光列车 叶馨萍 Singapore
Fatal Memory 血案迷情 林安妮 Singapore Telemovie
Chronicle of Life 缘尽今生 方玲 Singapore
1994 The Challenger 勇者无惧 董邵琪 Singapore
Dreams Come True 美梦成真 李琳 Singapore

[edit] Others

Year Title Chinese Role Country of production Production company
2006 Closet Affairs II In女皇 2 Host Singapore MediaCorp
Peschardt's People - Interviewee Asia-Pacific BBC World
2005 Closet Affairs In女皇 Host Singapore MediaCorp
2002 Fann Adventure: Malaysia and South Africa 非范之想 Host Singapore MediaCorp
2001 Travel Hunt: Japan 奇趣搜搜搜 Host Singapore MediaCorp
At Home With... Fann Wong 名人专访: 范文芳 Interviewee Singapore Channel NewsAsia
1998 Fann Wong's Music Love Story 范文芳的音乐爱情故事 Self-starred autobiography Taiwan TVBS-G

[edit] Discography

Girl, Illustrated, a self-illustrated comic book published in 2004.
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Girl, Illustrated, a self-illustrated comic book published in 2004.

[edit] Albums

Date of release Title (Chinese) Title (English)
2005 June 17 愛上了你 In Love With You
2000 October 3 沒有問題 No Problem
1999 June 2 想你 Missing You
1998 July 8 逛街 Shopping
1997 September 12 一個人生活 I Live Alone
1996 October 6 - Fanntasy

[edit] Concerts

[edit] Publications

  • 2004 : Girl, Illustrated (笔芳说) (self-illustrated comic book)
  • 2000 : In +he Mood (Hong Kong pictorial by William Cheung Suk Ping and Wing Shya)

[edit] Awards

Year Recognition
2006
2005
2004
  • Singapore Street Festival, Best International Artiste Award
  • Singapore Star Awards, Best Actress Nomination (Always On My Mind)
2003
2001
  • Singapore Star Awards, Best Actress Nomination (Heroes in Black)
2000
1999
1998
1997
  • Singapore Star Awards, Best Actress Nomination (The Matchmaker's Match)
1996
  • Asian Television Awards, Best Actress Nomination (The Unbroken Cycle)
  • Singapore Star Awards, Best Actress Nomination (The Golden Pillow)
  • Singapore Hit Awards, Media Recommendation Award (Local Singer)
1995
1988
  • Her World Magazine (Singapore) Cover Girl Winner

Fann was also an annual recipient of a popularity award at the Singapore Star Awards from 1995 to 2004 (titled 'Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes'). This culminated in her being awarded the All-Time Favourite Artiste Award at the 2005 Star Awards.

[edit] Trivia

  • Fann Woon Fong created her stage name Fann Wong by combining her parents' surnames (Fann and Wong, respectively).[37][2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Chronology. Fann Matters. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kee, Hua Chee (June 19, 2006). Fann-tastic reason. The Star Online. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  3. ^ "台灣的女孩都像妳這樣嗎?". Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  4. ^ 范文芳档案. 南方娱乐网. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  5. ^ Fann Wong’s nominations. fannaticfannclub.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  6. ^ 別讓情兩難 MV. EMI Taiwan. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  7. ^ Mini biography. IMDB.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  8. ^ 楊, 希文 (1998-09-23). 歌迷太熱情 范文芳唱到落荒而逃. 自由時報. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  9. ^ Chen, Andy (1999-07-10). Derek Yee. 8 DAYS. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  10. ^ The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. Hong Kong Film Awards Association (1999-07-10). Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  11. ^ a b 陸, 亦華 (1999-07-07). 911要范文芳的「個人專線」. 台灣日報. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  12. ^ Moments of Magic MV. Hype Records. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  13. ^ Wong, Siew Ying. Star light, star bright, Fann shines, all right!. MediaCorp Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  14. ^ No Problem (没有问题) CD. YESASIA.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  15. ^ When I Fall In Love…With Both (月亮的秘密). Golden Harvest (Hong Kong). Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  16. ^ Looking for Stars (星锁) VCD. YESASIA.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  17. ^ Madam White Snake (白蛇新传). MediaCorp Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  18. ^ Fann Adventure (非范之想). IMDB.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  19. ^ Awards for Shanghai Knights. IMDB.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  20. ^ Fann Wong’s awards. fannaticfannclub.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  21. ^ 范文芳《奔月》明星見面會昨日在歡樂谷火爆舉行. 歡樂谷網. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  22. ^ Star Awards 2004 Nominations. MediaCorp Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  23. ^ Singapore Programmes at International TV Trade Show. Media Development Authority of Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  24. ^ 范文芳, Maggie Q 主演 《融之堂》即将引进内地. 电影宝库. SINA.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  25. ^ Asian Festival of First Films 2005 Nominations. AFFF Committee. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  26. ^ 范文芳亲笔画漫画. Shin Min News. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  27. ^ 范文芳不想和李名顺合唱. MediaCorp Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  28. ^ Zodiac, The Race Begins. moviexclusive.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  29. ^ Nho Anh - Concert Performance. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  30. ^ 三地演员联袂《有情有义》 黄奕范文芳比拼演技. SINA.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  31. ^ 范文芳 最爱…面包皮！. MediaCorp Singapore. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  32. ^ Just Follow Law Trailer. J-Team and Innoform Media. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
  33. ^ Fann throws him surprise party. The New Paper (2006-08-02). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  34. ^ Lee, Sze Yong. "A solemn teary-eyed Chris Lee at Star Awards", The Straits Times, 2006-12-12, pp. 4.
  35. ^ Seah, Lynn (1999-07-06). Fann sticks to her guns. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  36. ^ Yeoh, Wee Teck (2004-04-30). 'I felt like a goldfish'. The New Paper. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
  37. ^ At Home With... Fann Wong. Channel NewsAsia.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Body of work by Fann Wong
Films The Truth About Jane and Sam (1999) · When I Fall in Love... with Both (2000) · Shanghai Knights (2003) ·
Das Haus Der Harmonie (2005) · Dragon Eye Congee (2005) · Zodiac: The Race Begins (2006) · Just Follow Law (2007)
Albums Fanntasy (1996) · I Live Alone (1997) · Shopping (1998) · Missing You (1999) ·
Moments of Magic (2000) · No Problem (2000) · In Love With You (2005)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../f/a/n/Fann_Wong_03e9.html"
In other languages