Han Geng-Sina Star of the Week

Sun Zuyang, Yumiko Cheung (back right)
Zhang Junning, Choi Siwon, Han Geng, Kenny Kwan (front left to right)

In 2008, the name of Han Geng appears more on Chinese media and Han Geng is recognized by more people. Han Geng is attracting people’s attention because he returns to his old home town in full glory with several members from super group Super Junior. They become group Super Junior-M and develop in China, making Han Geng the real host. Because of his talents, hard work, and special experience, and also because his is the leader of a very outstanding Chinese group, Han Geng has more opportunities for development and is continuously expanding the scale of his career. Recently, with the air of TV drama ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’ during the Spring Festival holiday, Han Geng becomes the focus of people’s attention.

In April 2008, Super Junior-M releases new Chinese album ‘ME’ and officially debuts in China. With the glory and pressure of Super Junior, this group has a higher starting point and aim than other common groups. Super Junior-M is totally localized. They sing Chinese songs, attend Chinese entertainment shows. For Han Geng, the communication in his mother language allows him to show himself more perfectly. However, as the leader of Super Junior-M, the originally quiet Han Geng in Super Junior has to take on more responsibilities. He has become the nanny and interpreter of other members, and he has to create a proper atmosphere when they do activities. Naturally Han Geng feels pressured.

Less than one year after their debut, Super Junior-M attends all the music and entertainment shows and the Chinese communication skills of the 4 Korean members have benefited from these experiences. Because of members’ better and better performance, they bring a big wave of hotness everywhere they go. They endorse a famous domestic clothes brand, attend the recording of the year-end CCTV Song Dance Gala, and receive 6 group awards that carry authority. All these are best encourage to Super Junior-M and Han Geng. During the interview at the end of 2008, Han Geng says modestly that although they have received a few awards, they have to work harder as a new group.

Han Geng has a most wonderful time in 2008. He has not only become the leader and professional nanny of Super Junior-M and taken members to every show on renowned TV stations, but also attended all kinds of activities without a stop just like a transformer. Until now, he has recorded almost 30 shows such as Happy Camp, March Bravely, A Date with Luyu, Music Assembly, and other big scale galas. He also flies to Korea, Japan and Thailand to perform at more than 10 concerts and fan meetings with other Super Junior members.

In May 2008, Han Geng endorses eyes drop Zhenshiming. During that time the earthquake in Sichuan cast a cloud upon China. Han Geng who is always active in charity prays for the quake-stricken area in his mini homepage and asks fans to donate. He donates blood at the Red Cross in a low profile and donated money. He also collaborates with Zhenshiming and donates 6,800,000 RMB as the ambassador of eyes. During the charity performance on May 23, he and other members attend in black suits. He can’t help crying when he delivers the speech. As a torch-bearer, he also calls for people to help reestablish the quake-hit area. He wishes that he and other members could visit these areas and show love to the children there. Han Geng not only calls for people to help during the earthquake charity, but also donates anonymously during the snow damage in February 2008.

During the first half of 2008, Han Geng attends a series of Olympics-related activities. In March he attends the torch carrying vow meeting in Shenzhen. In April he attends the press conference to release the 100-Day Olympics countdown theme song ‘Beijing Welcomes You’ and the 100-Day Olympics Countdown Party. In July, Han Geng is selected as the lead actor in idol drama ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’ which stars Huang Yi, Joey Yung, Yumiko Cheung, Kenny Kwan and other celebrities. In August, Han Geng carries the torch in Beijing. In the middle of August, Han Geng and other members attend the press conference as Semir clothes endorsers, and they also endorse Yamaha motor in Thailand. In November, ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’ starts shooting. Han Geng also shows up at CCTV audition show ‘Walk of Fame’ and teaches the contestants dancing.

In 2008, Han Geng is recognized and loved by the audience suddenly. This is the result of Han Geng’s diligence, the packaging of the company, and people’s need to seek novelty. Han Geng’s special experience gives people a fresh feeling different from the past. In a country full of Korean pop culture, a celebrity like Han Geng gives people a sense of proud and the audience is filled with admire. Young people as well as middle-aged even old people who pay no attention to entertainment are moved by Han Geng. As a result of that, many people want to go for auditions to become celebrities in Korean companies; more companies want to train their artists dancing like Han Geng; some companies introduce the system of trainees; some companies send artists to Korea to receive training; some companies collaborate with Korean companies to train new people. Because of all there exchange, the entertainment interaction between China and Korea become more frequent. Han Geng’s fans popularize the fan culture in Korea. As more people become fans, they go to the right path. After the earthquake in Sichuan, Han Geng’s fans (Geng Fan) donate more than 100,000 RMB.

Because of fans, the dumpling restaurant owned by Han Geng’s mother is prospering. In Arpil 2008, the restaurant has a new branch. The new restaurant becomes the gathering place of fans. Many fans are posting the pictures of the place online. Fans from other places will visit the restaurant. You can even find the detailed map online, even marked in Korean. It is rumored that during the holiday, fans will help in the restaurant for free. You can how much they love Han Geng.

The dumpling restaurant has become a saloon for Han Geng to treat his friends. Pictures of Han Geng, his mother, and friends are posted everywhere in the restaurant. Host He Jiong, hostess Xie Na, actress Li Xiaolu, and Super Junior-M members have visited the place. Last year during the shooting of drama ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’, Han Geng has taken Huang Yi, Kenny Kwan to the restaurant. He even invites friends from the crew to celebrate the Spring Festival. In November 2008, at the press conference for the theme song of drama ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’, Joey Yung gives Han Geng a super big dumpling and hopes that this will become the best treasure in the restaurant.

Back in 2007 at the Cyworld Fan Meeting in China, Han Geng says that he wants to an actor. His dream comes true in 2008 and he becomes the lead actor in CCTV drama ‘Qing Chun Wu Tai’. He plays a boy who gives up arching for dancing. The all-star cast includes Huang Yi, Joey Yung, Yumiko Cheung, Kenny Kwan, Zhang Junning. The script is written to suit Han Geng. Super Junior-M also guest stars in the drama. During the shooting, Han Geng and his childhood sweetheart in the drama Huang Yi are rumored to fall in love. All these are eye-catching. This is Han Geng’s first drama so everyone is anxiously waiting for the drama.

The drama is planned to start shooting in June 2008 and air during the Olympics. Because of the Sichuan earthquake and the Olympics, the shooting is postponed to November. Every character in the drama is loved by young people. Every character has his own difficulties and nobody gives up. They help each other and finally fulfill their dreams. Han Geng plays Xia Lei who is rebellious and stubborn, and talented in dancing. Xia Lei lost his mother when he is young; quarrels with his father for he gives up arching; enters the dancing group after loafing about the town with nothing to do; competes with his opponent. His funny accent and the role that resembles him impress people. It is said that Han Geng is good at crying scenes. His crying scene in the last episode make the working stuff cry. Although his acting skills are not perfect compared to other actors, it is rather satisfying since it is the first drama for Han Geng who has no acting experience. He has to work harder if he wants to fulfill his acting dream.

After airing on CCTV Children Channel, the fresh drama receives good comments. The drama will also be aired on 36 satellite TVs.

After 7 years of hard working, experience every reverse unimaginable to ordinal people, Han Geng goes from China to Korea and back to China. Because of his firm belief, he is easily moved by tiny happiness and not dwarfed by any difficulty. Han Geng, such a common but not ordinary person, stands firmly on the stage of life to fulfill his dream.