Contrary to most of the fashion shows which only invite celebrity guests, TGC is opened to public with an affordable fee (¥3,000-10,000; ~USD30-100). [Hat tip to KN]

Make no mistake though, despite the cheap entrance fee, the show is still as glamourous as other top fashion shows, albeit more casual, with participation of top brands & models, and performances by popular artists (TVXQ, Leah Dizon, DJ Ozma etc).

The crowd and models at TGC 2008 Spring/Summer (Image via GW)

Below are some photos of showgirls in the 5th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition, the last grand automobile exhibition in China for 2007, which kicked off on Nov 20.

Showgirls at 5th China (Guangzhou) Int’l Automobile Exhibition

(Images courtesy of Dayoo)

Some weird panda-themed fashion presented by Chinese conceptual artist Zhao Bandi at China Fashion Week in Beijing on November 4…

Bandi-Panda fashion (Image courtesy of Chinanews and Xinhuanet)

Picture of Daniel Wu

Daniel Wu Profile

Name: Wu Yanzu, Daniel
Chinese name: 吴彦祖 (吳彥祖)
DOB: September 30, 1974
Birth place: San Francisco, California, USA
Height: 183cm
Profession: Actor, director and model

(Also known as Daniel Ng, Wu Yan Zu, Ng Yin Zou, Ng Yin Jo, Ng Yin Jo, Ng Yin Cho, Ng Yin Chou)

Daniel Wu Biography

Daniel Wu is a Chinese martial art practitioner since his youth; he moved to Hong Kong in 1997 after graduated from University of Oregon (architecture), and started his entertainment career in modelling.

Daniel made his acting debut in 1998 in “Young and Dangerous: The Prequel” as supporting cast. He starred in a few more movies before making his breakthrough as the leading actor for “Purple Storm” in 1999. Purple Storm won some awards in various film festivals, and people started to notice Daniel’s acting besides his look.

Daniel continued to star in dozens of movies, but his next breakthrough came years later in 2004, with his performances in “One Nite in Mongkok” and “New Police Story”. He won the prestigious Golden Horse award (best supporting actor) with the later movie.

With the Golden Horse success, Daniel managed to land more roles in high profile movies, like “The Banquet”, “Protégé” and “Blood Brothers” etc.

Daniel forms a boyband, ‘Alive’ in 2005. His attention however, is not about the music, but to direct a mockumentary about Hong Kong music industry, using Alive as the centre of the plots.

His directing debut, “The Heavenly Kings” was released in April 2006. The movie is not a huge box office success, but Daniel claimed the best new director award the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2007.

Daniel Wu Related Websites

Alivenotdead ll Daniel Wu Forum

Picture of Daniel Henney

Daniel Henney Profile

Name: Daniel Phillip Henney
Korean name: 다니엘 헤니
DOB: November 28, 1979
Birth place: Carson City, Michigan, USA
Height: 188cm
Profession: Actor and model

Daniel Henney Biography

Daniel’s father is an American of British (some say Irish) descent while her mother an American of Korean descent. He was a basketball player and attended colleges on scholarship; and admitted into University of Illinois at Chicago.

Daniel didn’t graduate from university though; he decided to quit his study and ventured into modelling in 2001 instead. He started modelling in Korea as well as some other Asian and European countries.

Daniel was already an established supermodel before making his acting debut in 2005… first in some cameo roles for “Hello Franceska”, before making his full debut with “My Lovely Sam Soon” the same year.

Sam Soon is the most popular Korean drama in 2005; although Daniel was starring as the supporting actor, his performance (and look) was widely notice.

Daniel then starred in another decent drama “Spring Waltz” in 2006; he also made his movie debut “Seducing Mr Perfect” but the movie didn’t perform very well on box office. His 2nd movie “My Father” (2007) did much better though.

Seducing Mr Perfect however revealed another of Daniel’s talent… singing. He sang the ending theme song together with Alex from boyband Clazziquai. I wouldn’t be surprised if Daniel managed to ink a recording deal and releases his album soon.

Daniel Henney Related Websites

Daniel Henney Forum

Miss Korea 2006, Honey Lee

Honey represents Korea at the Miss Universe 2007 in Mexico City. I thought she had bright chance to win the event, but she didn’t perform too well at the Q&A section (the translator should take part of the blame) and finished as the 3rd-runner-up instead.

Anyway, Honey became a popular celebrity back in Korea. She landed a hosting position at Real Time TV Entertainment and is now involved in modelling. Considering her popularity… Honey is likely to star in some dramas/movies soon; she will have a bright future in the entertainment world.

Honey Lee modelling for Hilfiger Denim

Picture of Joe Cheng

Joe Cheng Profile

Name: Cheng Yuan Chang, Joseph
Chinese name: 郑元畅 (鄭元暢)
Nickname: Xiao Zhong (小综)
DOB: June 19, 1982
Birth place: Taiwan
Height: 188cm
Blood type: O
Profession: Actor and model

(Also known as Zheng Yuan Chang)

Joe Cheng Biography

Joe started his entertainment career as a fashion and commercial model. He made his acting debut in 2003 TV drama “The Rose”, starring alongside Ella Chen and Jerry Huang. The drama was a big hit, and Joe became a popular actor in Taiwan since then.

Joe continued to star in numerous dramas while keeping his modelling job. He has mentioned that he won’t give up as a model because it’s where he started his entertainment career, and he hopes that he will do well in both acting and modelling.

2005 was another breakthrough year for Joe; he starred in Japanese manga adapted TV drama “It Started with a Kiss” (ISWAK) with Ariel Lin, which was a big hit across Asia… and Joe becomes an international star.

Joe and Ariel are currently filming the sequel for ISWAK.

Joe Cheng Related Websites

Official Website (Chinese) ll Joe Cheng Forum

Picture of Kwon Sang-woo

Kwon Sang-woo Profile

Name: Kwon Sang-woo
Korean name: 권상우
DOB: August 5, 1976
Birth place: Daejoon, Korea
Height: 183cm
Blood type: O
Profession: Actor and model

(Also known as Sang-woo Kwon, Kwon Sang-wu, Kwone Sang-woo, Gwon Sang-woo)

Kwon Sang-woo Biography

Kwon Sang-woo worked as a model before making his acting debut in 2001. He started with some small roles in various movies and TV dramas before making his breakthrough in 2003 with movie “My Tutor Friend” and TV drama “Into the Sun”.

Later that year he starred in TV drama “Stairway to Heaven”, alongside popular actress Choi Ji-woo. The drama was a superhit in Korea and across Asia; Kwon Sang-woo becomes one of the most well-known Korean stars outside of Korea.

Kwon Sang-woo continued to star in other movies and dramas like “Love So Divine”, “Sad Sonata” and “Yasu” etc. His latest projects are movie “Fate” (also known as “Destiny”) and TV drama “Bad Love” (or “Cruel Love”).

Kwon Sang-woo Related Websites

Kwon Sang-woo Forum ll Buy Kwon’s dramas & movies

Picture of Wu Chun

Wu Chun Profile

Name: Wu Chun
Chinese name: 吴尊 (吳尊)
Real name: Goh Kiat Chun (吴吉尊)
DOB: October 10, 1980
Birth place: Brunei
Height: 181cm
Blood type: O
Profession: Actor, model and singer

(Also known as Wu Zun)

Wu Chun Biography

Wu Chun was born in a rich family in Brunei. He graduated from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, and worked as a model and fitness coach before starting his entertainment career in Taiwan in 2005.

Wu Chun made a couple of TV drama’s cameo appearances before being introduced as a member of boy-band Fahrenheit (飛輪海; Fei Lun Hai) in late 2005.

Wu Chun starred in his first leading role in early 2006 in TV drama “Tokyo Juliet”, co-starring actress Ariel Lin. His appearance gained wide notice from drama fans; and alongside with the rising fame of Fahrenheit… Wu Chun was becoming the hottest rising star in Taiwan.

In late 2006, Wu Chun starred in another TV drama “Hana Kimi” with Ella Chen (from popular girls group S.H.E); the drama was a great hit, and Wu Chun becomes one of the most popular artists in Taiwan and other Chinese regions.

Wu Chun’s latest drama is “Romantic Princess”, co-starring pop star Angela Chang, which is quite popular as well.

Wu Chun is currently filming a drama with popular Asian hunks Jerry Yan and Show Luo.

Wu Chun Related Websites

Official Blog (Chinese) ll Wu Chun Forum ll Buy Wu Chun’s dramas ll Buy Fahrenheit’s albums

Picture of Takashi Sorimachi

Takashi Sorimachi Profile

Name: Takashi Sorimachi
Japanese name: 反町 隆史
Birth name: Takashi Noguchi (野口 隆史)
DOB: December 19, 1973
Birth place: Saitama, Japan
Height: 183cm
Blood type: AB
Profession: Actor and singer

(Also known as Sorimachi Takashi)

Takashi Sorimachi Biography

Takashi Sorimachi started his entertainment career with Johnny’s Agency as a boyband singer and backup dancer for other popular boybands.

Takashi only stayed with Johnny’s for a short period before turning into modelling in 1990 and started to build some fame.

Takashi started acting in some TV dramas in 1994, and got his first leading role in 1997 with “Virgin Road”.

Takashi then starred in hit drama “Beach Boys”, which made him and his co-stars (Yutaka Takenouchi and Ryoko Hirosue) instant big names in Japan and Asia. Takashi released his debut album, “Message” in conjunction with the drama.

Takashi’s fame continued to rise in 1998 with drama “GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka”, co-starring Nanako Matsushima, whom he married with in 2001. The couple has a daughter.

GTO is probably the peak of his career; the manga-based TV drama was making waves in Japan and across Asia, and Takashi was arguably the most popular Japanese actor back then.

Takashi’s following drama in 1999, “Overtime” (co-starring Makiko Esumi) also achieved good ratings; but his popularity started fading after that.

Takashi remains decently popular though; he still managed to star in some good dramas and movies like “Hotman”, “Wonderful Life” and “Yamato” etc.

Takashi Sorimachi Related Websites

Ken-On (Japanese) ll Takashi Sorimachi Forum ll Buy Takashi’s dramas and movies

Picture of Erika Sawajiri

Erika Sawajiri Profile

Name: Erika Sawajiri
Japanese name: 沢尻エリカ
Nickname: Aachan, Kacchan
DOB: April 8, 1986
Place of birth: Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
Height: 160cm
Blood type: A
Profession: Actress, model and singer

(Also known as Sawajiri Erika, Kaoru Amane, Erica)

Erika Sawajiri Biography

Erika Sawajiri is born to a Japanese father and an Algerian-French mother. Her name Erika is derived from a flower’s name, Ericaceae’s Erica.

Erika started her entertainment career as a freelance teenage model before signing for Stardust (talent agency) after passing an audition in 1999. She entered the entertainment world because she wanted to meet her idol, Japanese pop star Namie Amuro.

Erika continued to work as a teenage model before making her TV debut in 2001 as a regular in a Japanese variety show. She extended her modelling career as a gravure idol (bikini model) at just about the same time.

Erika made her drama debut in 2003 with a small role in “Hotman”, starring Takashi Sorimachi. Her breakthrough came in 2004 with movie “Pacchigi” which won her multiple movie awards as best newcomer.

Erika then rose to super-stardom in 2005 with acclaimed TV drama “1 Liter of Tears”, in which she starred as a teenager with degenerative disease, based on a real life story.

Erika launched her music career in 2006, using the name Kaoru Amane, her character from TV drama “Taiyou no Uta” (not to be confused with same titled movie, starring another Japanese starlet Yui).

Erika’s debut single was quite a hit and topped the Oricon chart. She released her 2nd single, “Free” in July 2007 using her name Erika, and hit the #1 spot on Oricon chart once again.

Erika’s booming entertainment career however suffered a setback in Sept 2007 when she was promoting her movie “Closed Note” in an official event, where she showed some nasty attitude.

In a country (Japan) where politeness is everything, her gimmick drew huge criticism from the public. The media and some celebrities had openly criticised her attitude, and some of her fans had showed no mercy with this issue as well.

Erika had to make a career saving apology on her website a few days later.

Erika is currently taking a long break from her entertainment career; she left Japan for London in early January. Her future career plans remain uncertain.

Erika Sawajiri Related Websites

Official website (Japanese) ll Erika’s Forum ll Buy Erika’s dramas & movies ll Buy Erika’s albums