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| Compilation of Jay's album covers from Jay in 2000 to Capricorn in 2008 |
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| THE ERA 2010 |
Having been in the industry for 10 years, 30-year old Asian King Jay Chou recalls his road to success and he makes a promise: cannot be complacent but will never lose confidence in himself!
In the past 10 years, what are some of your successful achievements?
Stepping on the cover of ‘Time’ magazine. At the time, many people told me I was not easy, but I only thought: “Isn’t it just an English magazine?” And getting a wax statue in Madam Tassaud’s Wax Museum; many foreigners helped me tailor a statue, at the time I also didn’t think much of it. But now looking back, I feel that I have created a few records for us Chinese. Getting ‘Best Newcomer’ in the Golden Horse Awards for ‘Initial D’ gave me a lot of encouragement for my cross-cutting. And ‘The Secret That Cannot Be Told’ granted my wish of becoming a director before 30.
The years before you became popular, was it tough? Did you vow that you must make something out of yourself?
I want to clarify, it’s actually different from what the outside world believes. My biggest setback is not getting into university, I really did try very hard to get into music at university, and I even got tutoring, but after 2 tries, my other grades were not good enough. Afterwards, my juniors helped me sign up for a talent show, giving me the opportunity of entering this industry.
Is turning 30 of special significance to you?
It’s like a threshold, a cross-border. I now begin to think about things I didn’t care about before. It’s not about being greedy, but this big expansion, wanting to go higher, further. Like before I would think that my English is not good enough so I wouldn’t want to act in Hollywood films, but now when Hollywood scripts are sent to my company, I’ll take a look. If I can use films to step out of Asia, and bring my music to the whole world, I think this is every artist’s dream.
After being in the industry for 10 years, you give yourself 95%. Why is the final 5% because of ‘too many rumours’?
My mum often says: ‘We must be humble.’ I can’t be complacent, this 5% is the space for my improvement, but over the years, I do feel that rumours have affected me.
Is it because you’re often photographed with J-girls?
I really do not understand the paparazzi. Like the incident a few days ago with ‘Pandaman’ female lead Tang Yan. At the time, I was working, filming a driving scene. And of course, when everyone is free, we’ll all go out and eat together, but it really is not how the ‘Weekly Times’ reports.
You once said that ‘arm around the shoulder means girlfriend’. Is this still the case?
Yes, like that year with Miss Hou. I feel that that is the seriousness towards a relationship, and giving a sense of security to the female. Even though I know I’ll be photographed, I’m not afraid of the outside world, and am willing to openly come out.
This year you are 30, did your mum say anything to you?
Ha, she wants me to turn religious (Christian)
Is there anything you want to say to yourself?
Thinking about the past, when I could go to the night market to eat, dressed in shorts and slippers, with whoever I wanted and wouldn’t get secretly photographed, now I can’t. Now, I’ve lost my freedom, but I can give a more comfortable life to my family, I am willing. Sometimes I really miss the past, but only one or two hours, and then I will return to the present and tell myself: I can’t go back, can only keep going.
Being 30 now, do you feel pressure?
I will tell myself: If you’ve reached a certain status, you won’t be scared of falling anymore. Like Chow Yun-Fat and Jacky Cheung, it doesn’t matter anymore whether they receive awards or not, as long as they step out, they have their applause and status. What I want to achieve is to never lose confidence in myself and never disappoint those who love me.
Source: UDN
Translation: Sarah @ http://asianfanatics.net
