Were you once a big fan of F4, stars of the big hit Taiwan version of “Meteor Garden”? After you read this 5 part translated interview closely, you’ll find out how F4 has grown closer off screen, how they’ve handled stardom and other things that they rarely talk about in the past.

Patty: There’s four guys who became a sensation not only in Taiwan but all over Asia. During that time, it was because of them that Taiwan television series started airing overseas as well. Seven years has passed, these four men has far exceeded where they started. Many people saw their handsome faces on screen but many people don’t know about the hard work they put in and about their friendship. Today, it wasn’t easy to finally have F4 be together in this show. Let’s welcome F4.
F4: Hello!

Patty: It’s been so long since I’ve seen the four of you sitting together!
Vic: I think it’s more like your first time seeing us together *laughs*
Patty: Mmm.. right! No! Because I’ve always seen you together on TV before. Welcome! Welcome! You’ve all been doing your own promotions. How long has it been since you’ve sat together (on a show) like this?
F4: *laughs*

Vanness: We do have some opportunity to be together the promotion for the Bureau of Tourism.
Patty:oh..Burea…bureau (She messed up the pronunciation)
Vanness: Eh? What’s wrong? Have you been working too much around Vic that you got afflicted too? (Vic is known to mess up his Mandarin pronunciation)
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Patty: I think it was really not easy. Overnight, the four of you became everyone’s topic. Then, it wasn’t only Taiwan but also many other countries - Japan, Malaysia. I heard when people went to India, as soon as people mention Taiwan, they go “F4!” and then “Jerry”. Everyone’s talking about you. I think there must have been a lot of pressure. In addition, many of you were newbies at that time. Of course, it was a pleasant thing… but was it also a lot of pressure? Jerry?
Jerry: Yeah. We were just having fun filming. I still remember when we were doing “Meteor Garden”, the 3 of them were always playin’ around together. Then I was always alone by myself. Right?
Jerry: *laughs* You’re blaming us now. You were the one who wouldn’t join us. *laugh*
Patty: Why is that? Why was Jerry usually by himself at that time?
Jerry: I’m just naturally slow to warm up.
Vanness: Because he is…what do you call that? …
Vic: In “Hang Tai Jin Shu”, we’d consider him as “Tai He Jin”..not afraid of heat.
Vanness: Get out of here *laughs*
Vanness: I just got here! You’re asking me to leave? You’re funny *laughs*
F4: *laughs*
Patty:That’s funny. But you’re relationship was pretty good at that time, although you later went on with your own careers. Did you stay in touch?
Simon: I think on our own, we rarely talk about personal stuff or our feelings. We just never would ask about that.
Patty: Really?
Simon: I think we have that connection. Like when public as about our personal relationships. If I know but won’t say it, then it’d be weird. So that’s why we keep that stuff to ourselves and wouldn’t talk about it privately.
Patty: Oh I see.
Vanness: So we really don’t know about it.
Patty: So what do you normally talk about?
Vic: Ummm, when the phone connects, we just watch TV together. *laughs*
Patty: Be serious!!
Vic: Actually it depends. Like if I am a question/issue, I may call Jerry then call Simon. It depends who has time for me at that moment.
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com
Patty: It’s just knowing that you have a friend there when you need him. The important thing is not whether who can provide a solution to a problem. Right?
Jerry: Actually, there’s an incident that really made an impression on me. One time late at night, you (Vic) called me and we chatted like 3 hours. We talked about a lot of stuff, including relationships and stuff. After I hang up, I was confused and wondered “why did I wind up talking so much with Vic?”
Simon: You were thinking so much. He just had insomia.
Vic: *LAUGHS”
Patty: *laughs*
Simon: Right. But at least we’d still care about each other.
Patty: Honestly. The four of you together gives a feeling of “greatness”. Because you’re tall and handsome. It’s the first time I witness seeing “comic-like” characters in real life. Most people only see the handsome part but often would overlook other factors, like he’s acting is very good or I think he’s dancing is very impressive today. The physical part tends to shadow the other qualities.
Vanness: I think whenever we face the mirror, we know where we are lacking. Focus is not on what’s good but how to fix the problems.
Patty: Mmm. Zaizai, would that cause you to make faces? (ugly faces..etc)
Vic: I would because my personality fits it better. Because I think I won’t be able to stand it if I’ll keep on being “Hua Ze Lei” or prince charming. But as far as “handsome” or “coolness”, I think it’s all about your self confidence. No matter how handsome you are, if you are not confident about yourself, people are not gonna see you as “cool”. I FEEL THE “ME” RIGHT NOW, DON’T HAVE ANY SELF CONFIDENCE AT ALL. *laugh* Just kidding
Patty: *laughs* I think no matter how popular you are. There’s always something that makes you insecure. Right?
Vic: Understanding your own weakness is a good thing. Because if you don’t, you can’t work hard and improve. Like, I understand where my weaknesses are and know to work hard to improve.

Patty: So I think among the 4 of you, I think Vic has gone through most improvement. Do you agree? I think he’s become much better at expressing himself to others.
Vic: Because I always do promotion and so I am more used to this type of shows. Like the 3 of them rarely goes on a talk show like this, so they’re more shy. (Vanness and Simon looks at each other… shy??)

Jerry: I don’t think I’m shy. It’s just that I’m not like Vic, y’know. Zai Zai is very funny and lovable. I’d like to be like him too but, I’m not good at telling jokes like he does. I easily become serious in conversations. Then when I become serious, everyone’s jolly atmosphere is changed because of my seriousness. So sometimes I’d wonder what I should say to make it right.
Patty: I’m like that too sometimes. Actually, today when I as organizing your information. I noticed that you really did a lot documentation. Like when you went to Japan…

I think I’ve learned more about Jerry’s personality in this interview than in any other ones. He’s often portrayed as aloof or in a negative way. He was the most popular among the four, yet he was the most “mysterious”. Has seeing this interview changed the way you see Jerry?

To be continued…
*Special thanks to Pandasa7ar for sharing this interview on youtube,

*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Ken Zhu of former Taiwan boyband F4, recorded his parts in a Filipino movie set in the northern most islands of Batanes. In the interview (see video), Ken expressed how much he enjoys working with the Filipinos and his co-star Iza Calzado.

Makes me wonder if Ken would ever be as popular as he was during the peak of F4. Seem unlikely though. Maybe he can get some help from Korean stylists?