Monday November 17 2008, Taiwan
GTV’s new Japanese manga adapted drama “Extravagant Challenge” is funded by both GTV and Japan. Hence, the press conference was specially held in Tokyo. Jerry, Ariel and director Niu Cheng Zhe became the biggest selling points, however Jerry was the most popular, and the female and male leads evidently received different treatment.
Yesterday afternoon, Jerry and Ariel arrived at Narita airport, and there were over 2000 Hong Kong and Korean fans waiting. However, it was obvious that they were all Jerry’s fans. 20 bodyguards accompanied them and Japanese Customs department opened a specialy channel so that they could leave the airport quickly. However, unfortunately, their laggage did not keep up and took about 2 hours before released.
The hotel suite that Jerry is staying at is 47 square meters big, and it costs 600,000 yen to stay for one night (200,000TWD). Lots of fresh juice and bottles of mineral water were prepared for him, and also a long rental car. However, Ariel’s hotel suite only costs 180,000 yen for one night (60,000TWD). No. 1 Idol King and Golden Bell Queen evidently are receiving different treatment in Japan.
However the drama’s general production manager Liu Kai Lok expressed, that to the production company, the male and female leads receive the same treament, but the rooms are arranged by the Japanese side: “To the Japanese people, Jerry is indeed No. 1 Idol King!”
However, Ariel did not let this affect her mood. She rarely has the chance to sit in such a high-class limosine, and she and Jerry and director Niu imitated the “Titanic” pose, resulting in much laughter.
source: Liberty Times
translated by: x-WISHFULthinking @ http://asianfanatics.net
TOKYO, JAPAN PRESS CONFERENCE
Jerry Yan feels his time is up; reveals his admiration for Show Luo
Tuesday November 18, 2008 Taiwan

Yesterday, Jerry, Ariel Lin and director Niu Cheng Zhe attended the press conference in Tokyo for new drama “Extravagant Challenge” which is invested by both Taiwan and Japan. Just because of Jerry, the production costs are over 100,000US$. (3,310,000TWD) and many scenes will be shot in Japan. Jerry is very popular even in Japan, and he had over 2000 fans waiting at the airport for his arrival.
Is a model, not an idol
From “Meteor Garden”, Jerry has slowly climbed up to the top position, but he says that he has thought about a low day: “I’ve gone down, but I don’t want to think too much. I just want to do everything right. People like Show, Jolin, very hard-working artists will make me feel I have to work harder, if I don’t, then I will lose everything.” Everyone also said that he is Taiwan idol’s representative but Jerry made a cold joke, saying, “I’m not an idol, I am a model.”
More and more lonely, not many friends
In the past, there have been many negative news about Jerry, saying he is hard to please, love to act big, but Jerry says that he is not bothered to explain to the outside world: “I am very lucky, I have many peoples’ support. I hope people will see my “hard to please” attitude as the requirements I have towards work.” He revealed that he is getting more and more lonely, and does not have many friends. He says that when he is feeling down, he would often phone his co-worker from “The Hospital” Kris Phillps (Fei Xiang)
Admires Show Luo's friendly attitude
Yesterday at the press conference, Jerry did some funny expressions, and even did a peace sign behind Ariel’s head, in an attempt to melt the atmosphere. He also revealed his admire towards Show. He said that when he was filming “Hot Shot”, Show would have a really good relationship with the cast and crew, and he really admired him. Jerry said he is unable to achieve Show’s harmony, but he hopes that he can use a most sincere attitude towards people, to get rid of his “hard to please” image.
Show said, through his manager Xiao Shuang, “I like to be happy when I’m filming, so I like to mix with the cast and crew, but I think that Jerry is very serious about his work, and I feel very happy meeting him.”
Jerry admits that sometimes he is not too good at dealing with things, but he says he does want to change. He helplessly asked, “Why won’t people give Jerry Yan a chance?”
source: chinatimes , Liberty Times
translated by: x-WISHFULthinking @ http://asianfanatics.net
Press Conference for Skip Beat ~ 17th Nov 2008
thanks to kym@nbbbs.com

Since ‘Meteor Garden’ in 2001, Japanese manga inspired serials have spread like wild fire since then. This continuous appearance of new serials has caught the attention of Japanese InterChannel Company. In collaboration with GTV and Dreamer Co. (Meng Xi Tang), their new serial is geared for Asia and targeted at the world.
A 6 milllion grossing Japanese manga ‘Skip Beat’ is ‘Hua Li De Tiao Zhan’ in Chinese. The stellar cast has Superstar Jerry Yan in the lead, Ariel Lin of ‘It started with a Kiss 2’, a recent Taiwan Golden Bell Award winner for Best Actress and Director Niu Chen Zhe of ‘Viva La Vida’.
Besides Jerry, Ms Lin and Director Niu, Producer Liu Kai Le and GTV’s Deputy Chairman Mr. Lai came to Japan as well. In addition, Mr. Takeuchi the Chairman of InterChannel was also present at this Japanese Press Conference.
Lai : Though I have produced many popular serials but with immense financial support from InterChannel, I feel that this serial will not only be a success in Asia but also in the US-European markets. With Asia’s Superstar Jerry, Ariel Lin Yi Chen, Director Niu and Drama Dream Co. this will indeed be an *elegant challenge. Please look forward to this.
* He is using a pun as in Chinese this is the title of the serial.
Takeuchi : I really look forward to this when I knew that 2000 fans turned up at the Airport. I really want to let all the fans know today at this Press Conference that with our substantial production fees, we guarantee that we will keep to the original story and create ‘SkipBeat’ to be released to the world.
How do you feel about the original being a Japanese manga? When you decided to act in this, how did you feel about it?
JERRY : Acting in another manga inspired serial makes me feel very happy. I shall be acting with Lin Yi Chen this time round so I look forward to pit my acting skills with her. I hope that we can create a different screen chemistry. Please look forward to this.
Ariel Lin : Actually I just finished reading the manga series last year. And I bought my own copy this year. As to what attract me to this serial is that it feels like starting afresh. Since I’ve started out in this line, I seem to be returning to my old roots but via a new route. Acting with Jerry such an outstanding actor and with Director Niu, I feel this is an excellent opportunity where *‘Heaven, Earth and Man’ all three coming together. I feel very happy.
* In Taoism, there is a belief that success will be at a time when the Heavens, Earth and Man are at one. It started out as just being at one with Nature but has evolved into a wider scope of applications.
What is your views and impressions about them, Director Niu?
Director : Jerry is very influential actor. From his modeling to acting in ‘Meteor Garden’, he is famous throughout Asia. The Jerry that I see is very professional and he is an actor with his own appeal and charisma.
Actually I was very surprised at the Narita Airport, More than 2000 fans came to welcome us. Only Jerry could do this. And the one who is the Director was there too! I was jogging around the Hotel and the fans waiting there requested, ‘Can we shake your hand, Director? How about a handshake?’ Since they couldn’t shake the actual Jerry’s hand and the Director’s name is also Jerry so there is another Jerry’s hand for them to shake.
With the love from such ardent fans, the marketability potential is huge so will go well. He is very diligent and serious about his work lately. From him, you can see a new trend in Taiwan TV. He is very careful about his roles and so his works are not many. But he will have a long journey ahead of him. I am very lucky to be able to work with him. I am very happy for him that he has been successful from the start and his popularity has gone beyond Taiwan and extended overseas.
Whoever sees Ariel Lin Yi Chen will say that she is adorable. Personally she is a very serious person, at even to point of being cold. In fact, she is the total opposite of her characters. In acting like the manga characters, she really has to be over and beyond herself so she is very skillful as an actress. So with Lin Yi Chen and our past working experience, I hope to see another aspect of her charisma and acting, really looking forward to working with the two of them. Lin Yi Chen actually told me before,‘I will insist on acting in this serial. With the three of us together, we might not spectacular but it would definitely be an exceptionally outstanding serial. I really look forward to it.’
And finally a last word about the crux of the show?
Jerry : Right (laugh) I really look forward to acting in such a great production. An accomplished Director and talented actors, I can only work hard to do my very best. So to end, I hope that everyone will be able to see my diligence and also I hope to act in more great productions as well.
Ariel Lin : Since this is before the shoot so we can’t divulge the details of the storyline. After reading the original, one would know the story development. It is a serial with the Entertainment World as a background so I truly believe we can complete a fantastic production.
The Press Conference ended with Ariel Lin’s words of conviction. After which was a photo session and all the other actors are looking forward to another great serial. Please look forward to this, it will be telecastin 2009.
~ THE END ~
"Extravagant Challenge" Jerry Yan and Ariel Lin Interview!
Tuesday November 18, 2008 Japan

http://asian.cocolog-nifty.com/paradise/20...-265e.html#more
Ariel Lin
First of all, like many other actresses, her face is extremely small. Ariel's face is also a "palm-sized" face. She has shiny skin like a freshly peeled egg.
She was wearing an off-shoulder knit shirt (sorry...don't know how to put it in English><), and her décolleté line from the shoulder to collarbone was very beautiful.
No wonder she is the Taiwan Golden Bell Awards Best Leading Actress! In real life, she is so pretty that you can't stop sighing (her comments are very mature too!), and her glow is powerful even next to the beautiful Jerry.
Jerry Yan
Ever since he first entered the room, he has a wide smile and is very relaxed.
I felt his cheeks were maybe just a little more plump than before.
Perhaps it was the hairstyle, but his dimples were very clear today.
Which probably means he was all smiles nonstop.
Jerry is attentive all the while.
He leads Ariel to her chair, and escorts her kindly.
When he noticed Ms.Zhou (translator) 's microphone was missing, he passes his own to her.
How the two were like together
They were so relaxed with each other, it almost seemed like it wasn't their first time acting together. Even during the interview, sometimes they looked at each other, smiling. Jerry would talk to Ariel while translation was being done. Jerry's debut was 1 year earlier than Ariel, but their conversations were that of two professional fellow actors, and they were enjoying their conversation.
Just looking at them today, we can see there's a lot to expect from the new drama!
http://asian.cocolog-nifty.com/paradise/20.../post-716c.html
Interview with Director and Ariel
credits: ayayano@asf
Jerry Yan's new drama 'Extravagant Challenge' ; Director Niu says filming will begin soon
Thursday December 18, 2008 Taiwan

Yesterday, Jerry flew to Korea to attend CCTV and South Korea combined collaboration ‘The Same Song’ concert and he was surrounded by fans. His mood seemed to be very good and he generously shook hands with many fans. On the 19th, he will fly to Hong Kong to attend a birthday celebration event that fans have organized.
source: chinatimes
translated by: Sarah @ http://asianfanatics.net
Jerry’s Skip Beat (Challenge of Elegance)- Japanese Women’s Weekly
Tuesday December 2, 2008 Japan
Japanese Women’s Weekly 16th Dec 2008 Issue
Interviewer : Sen Ming Zi
Translator : Ying Zi

Jerry Yan a member of Asia’s hot band F4, will be acting the manga inspired ‘Skip Beat’ as Superstar Ren Tsuruga in this Taiwanese and Japanese collaboration.
He said it himself, "There are quite a few similarities between me and the character."
When one sees his seriousness at work and the parts where he makes mistakes, it feels like seeing one’s own laughter.
The most handsome actor in Asia Jerry Yan will be acting as Ren Tsuruga known for his dashing looks and #1 Mr. Dashing in the show.
Yet he expressed, "I don’t think I am handsome. My eyes, nose and mouth are nothing to talk about. I like my fingers the best."
The reporter sighed, ‘Not at all, not at all.’ Seeing his handsome looks up close makes one’s heartbeat quicken and his hairstyle is so perfect.
Jerry Yan one the other hand asked, "Really? I feel that Zai’s blue dyed hair in the concert really looks good. I can’t do that. At times I think I might as well shave it all off."{Jerry, please don’t ever do that – Ying Zi, }
Reporter said, ‘Oh, please don’t do that.’ Seeing his dashing looks, he is not proud nor putting on an act but just the opposite, he is very humble.
Causes One To Stare With Eyes Wide Open
Jerry Yan continued, "Although I am an artiste, I’m neither very eloquent nor clever so all I can do is to work hard. To repay all my fans for their support with my best work. "
I really looking forward to the latest work of this dashing guy as he is so full of confidence about it.
Videos- Skip Beat Press Conference/ Arrival in Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ZkNn5mKqs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sIKV1HwO28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhD0F6O0i8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_dk2EpZYcY
*waiting for Taiwan Presscon, confirmed other casts, official filming..

























































