About him..:-
More than just good looks..
Wilber Pan breaks the stereotype of good-looking Taiwanese male pop idol by proving that he can sing, rap, dance, host and act, all in the same breath if you insist. BRIAN CHEONG has the story.
WHAT a difference five years make. It was exactly that period of time that Wilber Pan Wei Po went from a regular Taiwanese student to red-hot pop idol status.
Five years ago, Pan arrived in Malaysia with his basketball team-mates for a match. His team lost to Singapore, and he left feeling very sad because it was also his final year in high school and would loved to have graduated on a higher note.
Wilber Pan's album is called Gecko Stroll because the word 'gecko' is a metaphor for young people.
Forward to the present, Pan returned to Malaysia to the frenzy of screaming fans. On his resume are successful stints as Channel [V] veejay and actor in idol series. He is currently riding high on the charts with his debut album Gecko Stroll, a funky collection of hip-hop and rap music that reflects Pan’s streetwise image.
The album was the reason for his second visit to Malaysia, and it sure made up for his depressing visit previously.
“I was so nervous before coming here and was so relieved when I saw the number of fans I have here,” admitted Pan. Unlike the many up-and-coming young stars, this 22-year-old American-born Chinese is more than just a poser. His enthusiasm is intoxicating, his words punchier than the average boy bands. He answers questions like a professional but minus the pretensions. He is unabashedly honest and self-deprecatingly sweet.
He readily admitted to eating booger to “buy” the friendship of a primary schoolmate. “He then started giving me the nickname Pan Shuai (handsome Pan) and it stuck ever since!” he quipped.
When he became a basketball player in high school, the audience would always cheer “Pan Shuai! Pan Shuai!” during the matches. “But that was actually very embarrassing,” he said.
He denied any truth to rumours that he and label mate Energy (both are under Universal Music) do not get along by revealing that he and member Adi go for massages together regularly. “He hurt his back once and my back has been giving me problems,” said Pan.
As for the rest of the members, Pan said that they regularly catch up over tea. “They are my seniors (in the music industry) and they’ve helped me a lot,” said Pan.
He called the album Gecko Stroll because the word “gecko” is a metaphor for young people. According to Pan, people his age are always behaving like lazy geckos, always hanging on the wall. And when they are not doing that, they are out hunting for food or satisfying another need.
“We’re always watching television and don’t seem to care about anything. But you won’t see us when we’re looking for a job or chasing after our dream girl!”
There has been word that Pan will take over as the new host of E-News on TVBS Asia channel.
“I’ve been hearing that since last year and nothing so far has been confirmed. But I would really love the opportunity. I find hosting TV programmes fun and very refreshing.”
Nevertheless, Pan noted that he would only take on additional assignments only if they do not clash with his current veejaying stint on Channel [V] and his music career.
But it is to be expected that with his growing popularity workload gets heavier.
“Pressure? You have that in any job. The best way to deal with it is to keep an open mind and an optimistic outlook,” he opined.
Thus far, he is happy with the way things are going.
“I’m glad that my company gives me some creative freedom when it comes to making music,” he said.
Pan was born in West Virginia, but spent his formative years in Taiwan. He left Taiwan to do his degree in the United States after he graduated from high school at 19. However, his talent for song-and-dance was spotted at a contest he took part in, in Los Angeles. And he was promptly offered to cut an album in Taiwan.
After making a deal with his father to complete his studies once he made it as a singer, he flew back to Taiwan. But an album was not to be as the company felt he was not ready. Still, Pan was not discouraged and agreed to pay his dues by taking on non-musical projects. His patience is finally rewarded with the release of Gecko Stroll.
With a hit album, a promising career as host and actor, Pan seemed to have it made. Except that he does not have a girlfriend.
“She was my high school sweetheart but she left for further studies in Japan. We tried to keep the relationship going and met up during the holidays. But over time, the feeling was just not the same anymore. It became very hard on both of us so we broke off.”
He would like to fall in love again but his packed schedule may get in the way. Asked about his ideal girlfriend, Pan promptly said: “Independent, but not to the point of ignoring me, adorable, compatible personality, one with her own ideas and opinions. Looks are not that important.”
During his free time, Pan likes to play basketball, sing on the karaoke, chat on the phone and have coffee with friends.
“I’m still like a kid really. When I work, I work hard. But when I play, I play hard too, even though there is hardly any time now. But all the same, I still feel carefree and active...from MSN GROUP
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