Monday April 13, 2009
Dragon force
By SETO KIT YAN
Enter Music-Man Wang Lee Hom, the latest costumed superhero to hit town, armed with a mean ‘dragon’ guitar.
MANDOPOP heralded the birth of a new superhero when Wang Lee Hom kicked off his latest world tour in Taipei last September.
The Chinese-American singer-songwriter emerged as Music-Man with metallic blue hair and a black leather outfit, wielding a dragon guitar in a show that sold out within two hours.
His Malaysian fans were elated when their idol flew in last Tuesday to plug his Music-Man World Tour concert to be held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium next month.
Singer-actor Wang Lee Hom posing with fans during his showcase in KL last Tuesday to plug his upcoming concert. – Pic by SIA HONG KIAU / The Star Wang, who last staged his Heroes on Earth World Tour concert in 2007 at the same venue, expressed his excitement at being back at a press conference to promote his gig here.
“Whenever I stage a concert in Malaysia, it always feels like I’m attending a concert myself. I can’t bring myself to leave the stage. It is such an unforgettable experience for me as Malaysian music lovers are so passionate about music. They always sing the loudest and know all the lyrics to every song.”
The four-time Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter shared that his concert theme Music-Man reflects his fondness for manga and comicbook superheroes like Superman, Spiderman, Batman and Watchmen.
“I thought if could be a superhero, then I’d be Music-Man, since I like music so much. My weapon of choice would be a dragon guitar. And my mission would be to save the world through music.”
Dubbed Bahamut (meaning “dragon king” in role-playing games) by Wang who was born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the dragon, the said weapon is a custom-made electric guitar. It is in the form of a dragon shaped like a G-clef (musical note). Costing US$25,700 (RM96,700), the instrument was made by Alistair Hay, the famed guitar designer from Ireland.
Later the same night, the dashing entertainer delighted fans with new songs from his 13th and latest Mandarin studio album Heart Beat at a showcase.
He also revealed that his Malaysian show will be different from his Taiwan concert. “My new album had not been completed during my Taiwan gig. Now that it’s been released, I’ll definitely be including songs from Heart Beat.”
So, what makes his heart beat? “Music makes my heart beat ... being alive and, most definitely, live performances.
“It’s strange how I’ve staged so many concerts in my life yet, before each show, as I stand behind the curtain and try to keep calm, my heart just keeps beating faster and faster.”
Is there someone special in his life that makes his heart beat faster?
“I’ve been on set filming with Jackie Chan and there really weren’t many girls to be seen. The only female around was the horse,” quipped Wang.
Making his singing debut at age 18, Wang has, to date, released 20 albums and 13 singles in Mandarin and Japanese. His records have sold some 15 million copies, with his previous release Gai Bian Zhi Ji (Change Me) selling over two million copies.
He has also starred in seven films – in Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese. Last seen in Taiwanese director Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution (2007), Wang is now filming Jackie Chan’s epic action film Da Bing Xiao Jiang (literally translated as Big Soldier, Little General).
Wang’s wholesome image was said to have impressed Chan’s wife, former Taiwanese actress Lin Feng Jiao, that the action star was compelled to cast the Rochester-born Wang in the role that he originally planned to play himself had he made the film some 20 years ago.
“For the past two months, I’ve been undergoing martial arts training in China; I’ve learnt a lot from Jackie.”
Wang, who will be celebrating his 33rd birthday on May 17, was quite excited about his latest role, which he says will surprise viewers. “It’s very action-oriented and totally different from my university student character in Lust, Caution.”
The actor dismisses talk that his looks might be too Eurasian for a period piece. “I used to think that way too but I realised, after filming this movie, that I actually looked very much like an ancient Chinese. It’s set in the Qin dynasty and I had my hair shaved so I’ve got no hairline now,” he said, as he pulled back his hair.
“My character’s also got quite a temper but I have a very nice costume, and the artistic direction is very beautiful.”
Lee Hom Music-Man Live in Malaysia 2009 concert will be staged at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on May 2 at 8pm.
Organised by Galaxy, the concert is supported by Tourism Malaysia. Ticket prices are priced at RM398, RM318, RM268, RM198 and RM138. The RM88 (free-seating) tickets have sold out. For ticket bookings, call the Galaxy hotline ( 03-2282 2020) or visit its website: www.galaxy.com.
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