Right? Hope Katherine gets nearer to the notion translation this time!

wilma steele writes: dear kim just dropping u aline to thank u for all your hard work on the site its fantastic i have finally caught up with all the latest news...
al chan writes: dear katherine, i really enjoy your webpage. it's updated often and i enjoy your news and pictures...

At the beginning of Sept, Andy filmed a commercial for Baleno fall & winter wear.

He had always wish China soccer team could get into World Cup qualifying round this year, at that time he thought of an encouraging story on soccer to cheer for China team. Never had he expected that after the com was released at the end of Sept , China kicked into the qualifying round successfully in early October. This makes him real happy. The com was released in HK, TW & China.

On the good news, Andy said he is confident China can enter the final 16, or even better to top 8 teams.

Andy likes soccer since young, he even had once wished to be an outstanding goalkeeper.

In the com, he promoted himself to be a soccer coach. The story was abt a coach diligently coaching a team of young footballers. It conveys the msg of care & concern too. In the role played, he acted wholeheartedly. Even falling onto a puddle of water on the field was done by his own self. He had no complains even though he was wet & dirty, v professional indeed.

The com was directed by Andrew Liu, production was a 7 digit figure. Other than using 3 new faces from Teamwork, Li Yingian, Wang Jialun & Suzanne Chung, all the other players were from a school pro players. The effect looks realistic.

The theme song is Still Remember Me, is also the slogan for the commercial. The song was penned by Andy.

[A T: The last song on the 2nd album of Fiesta Concert cd]

Source: Min Shen Pao
Headline: Daniel Wu, Andy Lau are top artiste of cable viewers
Stephen Chow, Daniel Wu, Andy Lau & Tony Leung are choice of movies viewers

HK movies box office drops drastically in TW, are the HK superstars lacking in appeal? It is actually not so. Jacky Chan, Stephen Chow, Andy Lau, Ekin Cheung, Tony Leung, Daniel Wu, Aniki Jin…are still big heroes in TV station movies. As long as movies are acted by them, the viewer rate is high. It is said because one needs not pay to watch cable, leading to loss in cinema-goers.

People choose to pay less by renting a tape or watch for free on cable.

It was also shown that melodrama movies attract less viewers than action movies. It is amazing that ‘Heaven Bath’ which bagged many Golden Horse awards had almost zero viewers. But the light-hearted comedy Needing U by Andy & Sammi tops the viewer rating.

Another trend found was male artistes draw more viewers than female artistes.

Source: Globe News dated 26/10

Lately it has become increasing common to use film stars or famous persons to promote items.

Compared to Mainland, where the stars promote daily products, HK stars film ad of all kinds, & they like to be entrepreneur image ambassador.

HK is a place whereby ‘banks are more than rice stall’. Competition is v keen among the banks. There are frequent TV commercials for banks. Andy Lau, HK Outstanding Young Person, is capable, intelligent, bright, is a representative figure of a successful person, to endorse a bank card is most appropriate. Lately he was used by East Asia to appear on TV commercial, with a high price.

Source: http://andy.jzinfo.com/pwzx.html

On 4 Nov, Andy will hold his concert at Olympics Stadium in Jingzhou. The equipments are shipped fron HK in 18 containers measuring 40’ tall, 120 people entourage will arrive with King Andy Lau. This is the first time ever Jingzhou has a large scale concert by an international star.

D f al.com

26/10---Everyone guess what work I have today. Not wrong, all are---meetings! Because of Love U Like Dream, everyone is putting all in to the preparation. Today I get my good dance partner in concert, Shirley, to be involved in dance practice. Many actors in the movie (including me), lately all working hard at dance practice, to tackle the big scale dance scene in this movie.

Sources have it that the sound systems & lighting equipments used for Andy's concert can be put into 17 containers. The reporter observed that the stage is being set up at the stadium. The completed stage will be 30 m deep & 80 m wide. The station for sound & light control is 45 m above the stage. The distance from the first row of audience seat is 8 m.
Concert will be held on 29th night in Taiyan. Andy will stand on a 20 m tall elevated stage & sing Water of Forgetfullness in the rain in a singlet. Security is tight, there will be 3 tiers of security guards, policemen & 'combat' police . The audience can then have a good view of Andy.

Source: Sinchew Jit Pao

Heavenly King Andy Lau is coming to M'sia for concert after 5 long years! The dates are confirmed on 14th & 15th Dec. Tickets are out for sale today.

It will be held in Genting. Tickets are priced at M$80, 150, 220 & 290. Tickets bought before 11/11 for $150 & $220 category enjoys a discount.

Those who purchase the first day concert enjoys a 20% discount, & a 10% for the 2nd night concert.

D f al.com

25/10---Though today is 9th of 9th month in Lunar calendar & a public holiday, but I have no holiday, still busy with meetings for the enw movie. Not sure if u go to mountain? I am so busy I have no time to climb mountain.

[A T: It is a Chinese tradition to climb mountain & visit tremples on this day.]

[...wow...water jets from such a height must be quite painful on the body!]

Date: 26 Oct 01
Source: Apple Daily

Sammi has become a hot fave in movie industry. Many co try to get her to film movies. It was said after her 3.5 mil fee in filming 'Cohabit Close Friends’ [literal translation], Golden Harvest paid a fee of 4.5 mil to get her to film another movie. The high price had put off Andy's Teamwork plan to invite her for the movie Love U Like Dream.

The writer feels that Sammi price is too high, because her ‘outstation selling price’ is not a box office guarantee. It is dangerous to ask for such a high fee.

Source: www.people.com.cn
Li Qian: Andy has his own way of success

Li Qian, touted as a music genius, launched his 2nd album since joining nmg, on 20th Oct. The response is good. Official launch held by nmg will be on the 3rd of Nov in Beijing.

At a press interview, he was asked to comment on the special relationship between him & Andy. Li was once Andy's album producer & now Andy is the boss.

Li: I had produced 3 songs for Andy before. Most of the time we had together was at the studio. Frankly speaking, previously I was biased. I felt that I learn music since young, I will be at any one time better than those who join half-way...But after being together I realise there is really a reason to a person's success. I, as the producer, was of course more demanding on the singer. But he is my boss, so I was a bit worried he would be unhappy. But Andy is v humble, he is v professional in his work attitude...so one has to really come into contact with a person before one can come to a conclusion. Heresay is unreliable, including myself Li Qian.

Source: Ta Kung Pao /Chen Pao

Lin Jia Tong will act as asst Latin dance instructor in Love U Like Dream. Shirley was employed by Teamwork to teach him the dance. He had 5 lessons. He commented during dancing, he had to put on many poses, before the class he had to stretch his tendons, he danced till the tendons were cramp!

But he does look like a real dancer after intensive training.

Source: newspapers fr China

Until 3 pm on 24/10, at the rehearsal for a concert celebration for China soccer team, one of the staff still said Andy & Coco were on the way to Shengyang. But when the concert was over at 10:15 pm there was still no sight of both of them.

Accordingly, the organiser had by all means managed to invite Daniel Chan fr HK & Jacko Cowboy (??) fr TW, to compensate for those who had bought tic to see.

[from the diary below, Andy did not go. His name may just be used..]

D f al.com

24/10---Went back to office early am for meetings. Lately busy with concert tour, no time to have meetings with office staff, hardly a day in HK, just like being trapped, whole day spent at the office.

Joey Yeung is having her concert starting fr tonight. To show his support for juniors, Andy presented her with the recipe of ‘voice enhancing’ tonic. Her mother said she will prepare for her to drink everyday.

Source: Wen Wei Po
Headline: Andy Lau Coco Li Wu Xiao Li conferrd title

Famous singers Coco Li, Andy Lau, famous TV presenter Wu Xiao Li, China Top 10 Young Persons & few others were selected by China 2001 International Volunteer committee as first batch of ‘China Volunteer Image Ambassador’.

Source: newspapers fr China

A party to celebrate entry of China to World Cop 2004 was held at Wulihe Stadium in Shengyang last night. Many artistes were invited to perform, abt 160 in all. Among the 40 over singers were Andy Lau, Coco Li, Naying etc. Many more were eager to take part but have to be turned down. Central TV Station is said to telecast the prg.

Yesterday afternoon, a ceremony was held in Beijing People’s Hall to confer the title of ‘China Volunteer Ambassador’. Andy Lau, Coco Li, & Wu Xioa Li were some of the persons honored. Andy was not present as he was in Shengyang.

News fr al.com …An unprecedented method of tic booking was introduced for ‘Sharing This Moment Kodak Andy 2001 Concert’ in Shanghai. During the press con, Andy introduced the method to the media. Fans can book through the Kodak network to choose the seat & purchase tic.

D f al.com

23/10---Today has no concert tour, but still has no time for rest. Because have to prepare for the new movie. There is a dancing scene, so have to do with the female lead ~~~ Sandra Ng practise dancing. Everyone busy with dancing, talking on movie, hope to film a good movie for all to see.
If u can remember, Sandra had latin dance at my Summer Fiesta concert. Working with her this time, sure more compatible than before, just wait & see!

After his concert in Dalian, Andy stopped over at Shanghai for a press con on his upcoming Shanghai concert (10 Nov ) on 22/10, before he returned to HK.

'Sharing This Moment Kodak Andy 2001 Shanghai Concert' will be held at a Stadium which can accommodate 80,000 people. It is the main event for the 3rd Shanghai China Art Festival. He has donated 1.5 mil RMB to the organizer.

He said he has planned the concert for 2 yrs. The 40 mil extravagant stage layout will be transferred in complete to Shanghai.

Fans can book tic thro' the net at Kodak outlets to pick good seats & will be given tampered proof tic on the spot.

Source: newspapers from China

Andy was at a press con in Shanghai on 22/10. From the layout of audience seats, the reporter could see abt 70% of tic were sold. This is considered not bad.

Andy in a white shirt appeared to be rather slim, akin a weak scholar, suave & cool.

But actually his body is v tough. Previously nobody did keep fit exercises before concert, he diligently toned up his bod & set the trend to build up a 6 pack abd muscles. When everyone began dancing on the stage, he was already flying in the air in his concert. He looks 'frail' on the outside but he is tough like steel inside.

He fielded questions calm & v experienced.

R: Is the stage in S the same as in HK?

A: HK is 4 sided stage, S is direct stage (3-sided). But the layout is basically the same. The distance between audience & me is v near.

R: Will the dinosaur fr America appear in S ?

A: The dinosaur had gone back to America. We have changed another prop.

R: Any guest?

A: No. I sing from beginning to end the 2 1/2 hrs.

R: What is the ratio of Mandarin to Cantonese songs ?

A: Most will be Mandarin songs, Canto pop is not trendy nowadays. But my fast songs will be in Cantonese mostly. Encore section more will be in Mandarin.

R: Heard that u practise v hard at dance?

A: Ya. I am practicing international dance. My dance partner Shirley graduated fr Beijing Dance Institute, had danced Latin dance for 5 yrs in London. Maybe after another 5, 6 yrs I can also join international competition.

R: Heard that in yr previous concert in Wuhan, u don't like to drink the local water. Water was shipped fr Guangzhou, finally u drank up 3,800 yuan of water?

A: I am not aware of this myself. I don't drink a lot of water, I drink coffee. Some media write this type of untrue report for entertainment purposes. As long as it does not harm my personality, I would not mind. Of course, everyone got to be careful with this type of report.

R: Heard that tic sale for yr concert in Wuhan & Dalian were no good ?

A: I think it is quite satisfactory. There were abt 30,000 audience in Dalian, but I do hope in future tic price can be lower, such as concert this time, in the stadium abt 10,000 seats were vacant, outside the stadium another 10,000 were waiting for cheap tics.

R: What is your principle in life?

A: ...(Katherine will tell u later, give me time) I will not be totally satisfied with my performance done one before this, but I will forever work hard, so as to do the next one better, so I am forever getting myself near to 100 marks.

Source: Dalian Wanbao
Headline: Andy's concert teaches market a lesson

Andy's concert in Dalian has taught market a professional lesson.

His concert of 30,000 was a record tic sale in Dalian. 'Black market' tic sale did not happened this time. There was no more selling of 100 yuan for 2 outside the stadium when concert began outside the stadium, which was the norm previously.

In actual fact, tic price to Andy concert went up just before concert, as witnessed by the reporter, 80 increased to 150, 120 to 220 yuan. 1/2 an hr after concert, there were still people buying tic to go in.

For a long time, people were used to complimentary tic, to show their status.

Those without tic were not silly, they waited till concert had started & gave a representative amt of cash to get in. Unsold tic are just like waste papers, so desperate tic seller just simply sell for any price.

Now these people had miscalculated. They have a terrible experience with this model concert.

The organizer adhered strictly to the principle: No complimentary tic, no discount, no price drop.

Unsold tic were discarded openly. So, v limited tic went to the black market. Most of the tic were bought by fans thro' their pockets.

The organizer were not tempted to sell tic at 10 or 20 % discount before concert. It is understandable the heartache of the organizer seeing wads of tic unsold. Tic price did not drop before concert. Many waited in disappointment.

These 3 NO in tic sale to Andy Lau concert has taught Dalian market a good lesson.

Dalian stadium accommodates a audience of 60,000. Abt 30,000 seats were occupied. Response from the audience was hot like fire. Andy was almost exposing his whole chest singing & dancing, his power was not at all less than a younger singer. Towards end of concert, with gratitude & sadness, he said, ¡°When I am 60, I want to come here again. Then even if I am not be able to dance, I will sit & sing for the fans."

D f al.com

22/10---After concert in Dalian last nite, left Dalian today. Went to Shanghai first, for a press con for concert in Shanghai. Then nonstop went back to HK. Went to office at the v first hr, to have meetings for the new movie. Really v v v busy. 24 hrs a day is not enough. Ha!

Korean actress Lee Ying Ai visited HK a 4th time, she was interviewed yesterday. She feels sense of closeness with HK, the chocolate ad she filmed with Andy 10 yrs ago leaves her with the most impression. She was a 2nd yr U student & Andy was a young man. He was playful & carried no air of a filmstar. Asked which actor she wished to act with. Without hesitation she said,"Andy Lau, hope he can remember the small girl 10 yr ago."

Source: The Sun

Andy had returned to HK last night from Dalian. He was asked if he called Sammi to ask on her father's illness. Her father has a stroke & was warded in Beijing. Andy appeared rather unbelieving & said he will called her later.

Source: Eaatern Net/ Dalian Zaobao dated 22/10
Headline: Andy: Not asking for perfection, but asking for no regrets

Andy had a press con to promote his concert in Shanghai in Dalian on 22 Oct.

After yrs of being in showbiz, he is still a popular figure. Not many people can be like him, a singer, an actor fro movie & TV, lyric writer, script writer. Be it among fans, media circle, workers, his reputation is good. When he first release his Cantonese album Know Loving U Only This Moment, many were skeptical abt his singing skill. But now his multiple successful albums speak for themselves.

At the interview, he said confidently, "I do not invite any guest this time for my concert, I will sing all the 2 1/2 hrs myself"

Asked how his feeling was with his 2 concerts in Wuhan & Dalian. He said he is v satisfied with his performance. He introduced his stage layout to the reporters.

Due to transportation difficulties, the dinosaur will not appear in Shanghai. Andy joked that it has to go back & protect its country.

The song list has not been finalized. There will be a 50% mix of Cantonese & Mandarin songs, & 50 % mix of old & new songs.

His concert is a participating event for 3rd Shanghai China Art Fest. Before his performance Andy has already donated all his fee. He donated 15 mil to the Art Fest organizing committee.

Andy was asked on his life philosophy. He answered: No asking for perfection, but asking for No regrets. Perhaps, on singing he is still not the best, but his results is obvious. This motto may have made him to be v frank with himself, dare to critise own self. The feeling of no regrets to anybody within him makes him persist till now. He uses his sincerity & hard work to achieve his success today.

The press con as usual was late by an hr. When Andy breezed in, 100 over reporters were all ready. Despite questions to be asked had to be submitted beforehand & screened, many still fired Andy with some tough ones.

It was said response to concert was 'explosive'. One reporter disclosed that only half of the tic were sold, it may become a concert with the least nos of audience for Andy. Andy was asked what he would do if only half filled.

Not concealing his embarrassment, Andy replied, ¡°I have heard too only half of concert tic were sold. But I think this half are those who really like me, so I will also put in whole heartedly to treat this half of audience.¡±

Another reporter pointed that concert tic was priced at 80 to 800 yuan. But the tix with the nos 927 was sold out by the organizer at the high price of 280,000 yuan.

Andy was again embarrassed, "As tic sale is controlled by the organizer, I have no control over them. But I too feel there is problem with over pricing. Hope the organizer can help to take care of my fans, don't let them spend too much to see my concert."

Source: Wuhan Zaobao

There were some complaints of fans at Wuahan concert.

Miss Tay claimed that she had bought 980 tix, when she went with her 2 friends, Gate 1 & 2 were not opened. When she finally got in, their seats were occupied. She was told to sit anywhere, She stood at a corner, couldn't even see Andy's shadow, she left ater 5 min as it was v chaotic.

Ms Tan fr Shenzhen spent 680 on tic. She couldn't see Andy though at row 7 as people in front all stood up on their seats. She stood up but couldn't see a thing.

Mr Tan said after buying VIP seat of 980, he found there is no diff with 480 seats.

[aiyah, Andy Town says: go early, get in early, stand if u cant see, enjoy the atmosphere...a stadium of 20 to 30,000 people, how to see, see the big screen lor.
aiyah, concert in Shanghai, still too early to say, people always think if I buy tic last minute maybe there is some discount...etc, where got concert with no audience for Andy so far..
aiyah...I am so late for work already..., excuse for errors in news update...]

D f al.com

21/10---Thank u v much, fans in dalian! U all made me feel tinge & tinge of warmth. Had concert in Dalian tonite, though it was quite cold, but their warmth dispels all my coldness away.
Tonite performance is even more at finger tips, maybe after a warming up in Wuhan, hope it gets better & better !

Despite some empty audience seats at Dalian People's stadium last night, concert mood was not affected. There were 30,000 over fans. Waves of excitement created by moving voice of Andy was the same. Faced with the organiser firm promise of 'no added seats, no discount, no price drop', the fans bought tics themselves. In this cool mid autumn night, Andy 'melted' under the warmth of fans, donning only a singlet.

Last night Andy displayed his Heavenly charisma, ape man Tarzan look, fat guy as in LOAD, exclusive specially designed stage were eye opener to Dalian fans. Singing in the air, water cascade, his 30 over songs, the audience were mesmerised.

When the whole stadium sang Moon R M H, covering Andy own's voice, Andy stopped singing, he stood quietly on the stage, visibly conquered by the fans' enthusiasm, he was moved by the fans.

At abt 6 to 7 pm, the area surrounding Dalian city stadium was bustling with people, such an exploding scene was due to Heavenly King Andy Lau concert at 7 :30pm . The businessman took opportunity to tout business, a person selling a small flag with face of Andy sold 500 over flags at one go.

By 8pm the audience was abt 20,000. When the reporter left at abt 9:40pm there were still many rushing in to see, anxious to get in.

Carina Lau has become the spokesperson for Wanko, a brand name for a range of clothes for average consumers. Carina has always been endorsing branded products, is she downgrading her status? She replied, "Andy Lau has no waories, definitely not downgrading status, usually my dress code is v casual too. "

Source: Min Shen Pao

In F4¡¯s concert, Zai Zai sang Andy's Icy Rain in an all white attire, he looks v handsome.

Source: Apple Daily

Mnay famous singers were under Wah Sin record co before. It was rumored that the co had dismissed all its staff yesterday. Andy had his first album, Only Knows Loving U This Time, produced by the co. He feels sad & thinks it is due to economy downturn forcing the co to face the fate. He

Source: Changjiang Daily dated 20/10
Headline: Andy raised 'beautiful-ending storm' in Wuhan

The concert last night lasted 3 hr & 40 mins. Andy sang a total of 27 songs, including How Can U Let Me Feel Sad, Moon R M H, Film-star & Wanderer's Love Song.

Excellent, really too excellent! To be more exact, the production of last nite Andy Lau in Concert is really too superb, from the glamorous stage with multiple functions, dazzling costumes, sound effect, realistic feel, Andy at tip top condition, the accompanying dancers first class standard, the immaculate planning of concert sequence, the audience screaming oblivious of oneself, all these are a challenge to our imagination never happened before. We are all shocked, actually a concert can be like that too. Last night, it is not solely listening to a singer singing as before, it is just like a grand movie, displaying to all in different stages, bringing audience to different angles of movie world.

The whole 3 over hr of concert started at 8:10pm. When Andy appeared from an elevator raised gradually from below the stage, the atmosphere in the stadium turned to boiling high, the audience surged forward forgetfully. A child beside the reporter was crushed & wailed 'wahwahwah'. This moment of thronging made the security guards on full alert, & v anxious, Andy on the stage kept telling the audience to sit down. It was only when he said, "If u all dont listen, I will stop the concert." the audience was then quite down. To take care of the audience who couldnt see him, Andy used elevator or climbed up the rail to greet them.

Other than clothes change, Andy almost never stopped singing for 3 over hrs. Towards the end his voice sounded a bit hoarse when he talked, his professional attitude is really worthy of respect. Lai Shen Yuan, Days Together, Heaven's Will, Icy Rain, U Are My Lady, Silly Child, Water Of Forgetfulness, Shoulin Soccer, Man Cry Is No Crime, every song had fans singing along with him, every song is a reflection of his 10 over yrs of glory & hardship. Other than his own songs, he sang Teresa Teng, Wu Bai & Huang Ping Yuan songs, his skill is equally marvellous.

Andy's stage charisma helped to raise atmosphere to climax again & again. The concert has not escaped the fate of rain. From the beginning it was drizzling on & off. Andy kept asking the fans if they were scared of rain. The audience responded like loud waves 'Not scared!" The female fan next to the reporter added, "Even go under knife is not scared!". This 'willing to die' attitude is awesome. As there was shelter on the stage, Andy was not drenched. Perhaps to convey the msg that he was with his fans all the time, when he sang Icy Rain, there was rain dropping on the stage, making him wet thro. He said, "Actually u all are more important." This made the audience v touched.

Andy's glamorous costume was the most glittering point in this concert. From the reporter's observation, Andy had changed to 7 sets of exclusive, immaculately designed costumes. The costume gave a 'royal feel', be it the action packed denim attire, sexy 'wild man' look exposing chest, romantic 'Latin lover' look, or the sewn black dragon 'dragon gown', the theme was v characteristic. He appeared in an ensemble of white, with a white cowboy hat half covering his face, the fans screamed nonstop wanting him to take down the hat.

When he sang Silly Child, he changed to a 'wild man' attire exposing his chest. He was in 'dragon gown' when he sang Chinese. Later, he appeared sitting in a car popping up from below the stage, he was in a red shirt & tight pants, he invited incessant screams & shrieks as he danced Latin dance. At the last song Love U 10,000 Yrs, the worker gave him a beautiful flowery suit to put on.

Andy in his fat costume gave audience a shocking happiness. He said, "It is v hard wearing this costume. All along people think I use my look to earn money, now I appear as a fat guy, do u still love me?" The audience all in unison, "Love!"

Andy's dancing was still not too good, but his hard work in putting forth the show & his perfect dancers covered his short comings. He not only danced hot dance, tap dance, the most impressive was the beautiful Latin dance with the female dancer, can see that Andy really tried & put in effort.

In the middle of concert, a giant screen dropped from the whole stage, displaying his 20 yrs of satisfactory movies. Finally, amidst song Love U 10,000 Yrs, Andy disappeared from the highest point to below the stage on the elevator.

At 11+ pm, he was 'thrusted' into the car immediately, under tight security he escaped from the concert scene. Many fans lingered around the stadium to reminisce the unforgettable night.

D f al.com

20/10---I have come to Dalian today. Come here again, the scenery is still as beautiful. On arrival, first of all of course went to see the concert place. Yee~~~~~~~the stage is still not ready. We had to go back to hotel. I took this free time, contacted HK movie persons, as I am starting to shoot a movie soon & I have this concert tour, so I have to make use of every minute every second, talk to them on the details of movie.
There is a special prg tonite, is to celebrate bday for a friend. Big sis Mei~~~~~Happy Bday! Actually her bday was yesterday, but because of the concert, tonite celebrate for her, a gp of us had a meal together happily, had a wonderful nite!