孩子们,又到了温习英文的时间啦!新加坡的新闻都是老调重弹的说,但变脸成英文之后,可以把它看成是一篇阅读理解喔,哈哈,是假期复习课咩
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Joe Cheng vs himself
From: Straits Times 2010.02.13
Taiwanese heart-throb Joe Cheng’s debut album has been savaged by critics but the actor-turned-singer appears to take the criticism in his stride.
Reviewers described his voice as “thin” and the songs unmemorable when the album came out late last year.
The five-track album, Joe’s Singing For You, was accompanied by a DVD containing many images of him acting cute.
It was clear that the record company was banking on his good looks to sell the album.
The 1.88m-tall former model was in town recently to promote the album and displayed a disarming charm. He readily admitted that he has a long way to go if he wanted to make it as a singer.
“I’m not born with a natural singing or dancing talent. My singing techniques are very lousy and I feel that I still have a lot to improve on.”
He added: “No matter what criticisms come my way, I’ll just listen and learn from them. Competing with myself is the only way I can improve and I will work very hard.”
The humility was touching-you half expected him to bow when he said this.
The 27-year-old became a star in 2005 playing a high-school genius who falls in love with a homeless naïve schoolmate in the television series It Started With Kiss.
He is the latest in a long line of Taiwanese male idols such as Vic Chou and Jerry Yen, who started off as actors and have banked on their good looks to sell their albums.
Cheng said he became interested in singing after he sang a few tracks on the wildy popular shows that he had acted in, such as They Kiss Again(2007) and Love Or Bread(2008).
But he admitted that trying to start a new career as a singer is putting pressure on him.
“I’m considered a new singer but I am technically not a ‘new’ celebrity at the same time. Thus, there was a lot of pressure for me to do well.
“I try not to think about the sales target, though, because it gives me unnecessary stress.
“I wouldn’t deny that good sales figures equates encouragement for me. It pushes me to word harder.”
He need not have worried. Despite bad reviews, the album made it to the top 10 of Taiwan’s biggest music charts, G-Music Charts, for five weeks running after it was released.
Encouraged by the chart success, he said he may release a full album.
The critics had better watch out.
Challenging oneself is the only way to improve, says actor-turned-singer Joe Cheng. Photo: my paper
