Up close with Bosco Wong

Up close with Bosco Wong

HONK KONG - Many people know Bosco Wong as one of television station TVB's leading hunks.

But come November, the 32-year-old Hong Kong heartthrob will temporarily shed his actor persona to serenade the crowd with Cantopop tunes at mega concert Sundown Festival.

He is one of eight headliners at the annual Asian music extravaganza - this year's line-up also includes Taiwanese crooner Yoga Lin, Indonesian alternative rockers Nidji, Japanese visual kei band Screw and Korean girl group AOA.

In an interview with LOUD last month while in town to promote his new drama A Change of Heart, Wong said he is aware of his lack of vocal chops. "When I take on gigs, more than anything else, I hope they will become interactive sessions with my fans," he said.

"My upcoming performance (at Sundown Festival) should be like a party, a night where they can meet me up close and enjoy themselves to the fullest.

"I'm an actor first and foremost, so when it comes to singing, I'm not a professional. Most of my supporters understand that, which I'm quite thankful for."

With a grin, he added: "I'm not Eason Chan, that's for sure."

His remark brought back memories of his headlinemaking duet with Chan at Hong Kong's Jade Solid Gold Music Awards in 2009.

He had been spontaneously chosen from a pool of TV personalities to deliver Chan's hit ballad, King of Karaoke, alongside the Cantopop superstar himself.

Alas, Wong went off-key midway through the song and was massively panned by critics.

His weak singing, however, hasn't deterred him from lending his vocals to the theme songs of several drama series, including 7 Days in Life (2011), Lives of Omission (2011) and A Change of Heart, now showing on weekdays, 9pm, on VV Drama (StarHub Ch 855).

He has two EPs under his belt too - In Love With Bosco (2008) and Bravo (2010).

Entertainment career aside, Wong shared his entrepreneurial plans with LOUD, He is in the midst of setting up his first oyster bar, which is slated to open in Kowloon City at the end of October.

"Oysters are like the milk of the ocean. Like red wine, they have many health benefits," he said.

"When I taste oysters, I try to remember their names, where they are sourced from, and their distinctive qualities."


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