Tracklist
1. Wo You Wo De Young
2. Xia Xue
3. Zhi Dui Ni You Gan Jue - featuring Hebe from S.H.E.
4. Yi Ge Ren Liu Lang
5. Zhao Xing Fu Gei Ni
6. Ai Dao
7. Chu Kou
8. 2 Yue 30 Hao Jian
9. Qing Zai Wo Hou Hui Zhi Qian Li Kai Wo
10. Bu Si Zhi Mi
11. Zhi Dui Ni You Gan Jue - remix

Even though I’ve said that Fahrenheit as a group is pretty different from Johnny’s group, music-wise, they’re not much different. They’re well produced, supported by good songwriters, and most importantly - well marketed. Vocally, they’re not bad, but of course there’s always room for improvement. Also, when you first start listening to them, it’s difficult to tell the different between their voices except for Wu Chun who’s bass; the rest are all tenor.

Wo You Wo De Young is their first single; it’s a pretty standard boy band track that gives each member some solo lines with the rest of the group harmonizing in the background. It’s pretty obvious in this song that they can’t quite reach some of the higher notes. In their vocal range, there’s no problem at all - it’s all very good. Next time the song writers better keep their ranges in mind…it’s no good to hear them stretching for the note. Besides that though, this is a really fun song with a catchy chorus.

Zhi Dui Ni You Gan Jue features Hebe Tian from girl group S.H.E. of the same music label. Their voices go together really nicely and the song is quite catchy. The synth and the strings are some really nice touches in the arrangement. This was one of the first song I ever listened to, before I really became a fan and even then I still liked this song. The album also includes a remix. It doesn’t really depart from the original very much, a bit faster with a heavier beat and has a little extra synth. It’s not bad, but it’s not better than the original mix.

Generally, Fahrenheit does well with ballads and there are loads on this album. Xia Xue is the first of their slow and sweet ballads. The arrangement is quite pretty and utilizes their ability to harmonize well, while keeping them in their respective vocal ranges. It’s not ground breaking or anything, but it is very soothing to listen to and I wouldn’t mind having this piece on repeat. Yi Ge Ren Liu Lang is a really nice acoustic piece, starting off with some solo lines. I really like the guitar part in the arrangement; it’s simple but very pretty. Like Xia Xue, it’s a soothing piece and vocals are pretty good here too. Although the verses are a little boring, the chorus is quite nice.

Chu Kou is a slightly more upbeat semi-ballad. Vocals are pretty good here and the harmonizing is done well. There’s a little piano solo in the middle that’s really nice. The verses are also not bad and the chorus can be quite pretty at some points. There’s also a key change, but it doesn’t really add anything special to the song.

2 Yue 30 Hao Jian picks up the pace (finally!) but unfortunately whoever wrote the melody lines forgot that these boys can’t reach some of the higher notes in the chorus. This is sad because the verses are pretty good and rather fun. Maybe they should re-record this someday when they develop a better range. Qing Zai Wo Hou Hui Zhi Qian Li Kai Wo is another ballad that suffers similarly from the boys stretching for a few of the high notes. The melody lines are rather pretty at some points and there is this one part where Aaron (I think) is just backed by piano, which is really nice.

For some reason the intro to Zhao Xing Fu Gei Ni sounds really familiar, like I’ve heard it somewhere but I can’t put my finger on it. The arrangement has a bit of a Latin feel to it and as for the song, it’s another ballad. There’s a little bit of English and since 3/4 can speak English fairly well, pronunciation is spot on. This one is a little boring and feels a little draggy, even though it’s not actually very long.

Ai Dao has light R&B feeling. I really like this track especially because of chorus. Even though it’s a bit repetitive, the melody is quite nice and I don’t really mind it. Although it’s ballad-like, it distinguishes itself from others because of the light beat and the slightly faster tempo. Also, the guitar part is quite nice.

Bu Si Zhi Mi is a big departure from the rest of the album with its heavy rock and rap theme. It feels really out of place on an album full of ballads, but I am welcoming it even though I don’t really like rap that much. It’s done quite well, and I’m liking it.

What’s kind of nice is that they don’t stick to one genre or look. They have their straight pop and their ballads, but there are also light R&B and even rap tracks. But still, it’d be nice to see less ballads and a more balanced album the next time around.

For me, it’s come in a little Taiwanese package known as Fahrenheit or 飛稐海 (Fei Lun Hai). It’s not that I just discovered them, but more that I recently discovered that they’re pretty awesome. But it’s not really that all their songs are amazing or their performance skills are great, I just like them.

Members include (from left to right)

Wu Chun, or Wu Zun, though Zun is the correct hanyu pinyin, it seems that it’s usually spelled Chun. He’s from the small country of Brunei, though he is of Chinese descent. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from RMIT University in Australia. And he owns a gym in Brunei. He first came into the Taiwanese entertainment industry with a small role in KO One, but later starred in Tokyo Juliet alongside Ariel Lin (who I adore). Right now he’s 28.

Calvin Chen (Chen Yi Ru) is Taiwan born and bred. He studied in Canada for his undergrad and grad, completing a Master’s degree in Economics at University of Victoria. He’s currently a student at National Chengchi University (for what? His PhD?). In Vancouver, he joined a competition called Sunshine Boyz and won first place (in 2004) and won a trip to Taiwan, a music contract and drama role. He’s 27.

Aaron Yan (Yan Ya Lun, birthname Wu Geng Lin) is also Taiwan born but moved to New York at a young age. Later, he and his family moved back to Taiwan. He’s only 22, the youngest of the group and unlike the rest, has no degree, though he is in the middle of one (who knows if he’ll ever finish).

Jiro Wang (Wang Dong Cheng) is also Taiwan born and raised, who holds a degree in Advertising Design from Fu Shin Arts and Trade College. He’s the most famous from before the band started, and was also put in a group with the amazingly famous and talented Jay Chou, but due to 9/11 and the company’s stock crashing, the plan had to be aborted. He’s been in many dramas, CMs, and has modeled. He’s 26.

Fahrenheit is pretty new, only formed just before the end of 2005. Looking at Fahrenheit and looking at Johnny’s, I can’t help but think how different Taiwan and Japan really are.

1. Fahrenheit was formed after all four had made names for themselves. Johnny’s groups are groomed from boyhood, from nothingness to ultimate stardom, even then you’re not even guaranteed to debut (Ikuta Toma, anyone? The poor child…). For Fahrenheit, it’s kind of like an afterthought, “hey, these guys are all sort of famous and can sing, sort of dance….LET’S PUT THEM IN A BOYBAND!” This was the same for F4, Taiwan’s most popular boy band, which has pretty much disbanded now. The four acted together in the Meteor Garden (Taiwan’s Hanadan drama), which was an amazing success (and as a side note, did you hear? There’s going to be a Korean drama version sometime next year!) Anyway, F4 formed after the drama aired because they were so popular of course they’d sell millions! They changed their name to JVKV later because of the Hanadan airing in Japan and not wanting to get them mixed up. Don’t know why, though, it’s not they ever going to release anything again anymore because each of them is already so famous and has their own solo stuff going on. Anyway, back on topic.

2. In comparison to Johnny’s, Fahrenheit is old. Feels like most Johnny’s debut at around 17-19 years old, with the exception of pedo-bait Hey! Say! JUMP. Seriously, it’s a little gross. What’s going to happen when they hit puberty? And also except Aaron, the little youngin.

3. What also comes with age is education. The guys in Fahrenheit don’t need the group to make them famous; they already were. Plus, some of them don’t need to be in show business. Wu Chun owns a gym and Calvin has a master’s degree. Seriously, man, you have a master’s and yet you’re in a boyband….seriously… and he’s still in school; how’s another master’s or a PhD going to help in the boy band industry? Props to him, though, I don’t think a lot of Johnny’s even graduated from high school (though there’s a few exceptions and college students? I’m not quite sure myself, but it’s definitely not the norm).

I think I’m beginning to understand why people like boy bands or girl groups. Even if you don’t like all their songs or their performances that much, you’re still a fan of their stage personality.

Actually, Fahrenheit has been getting bigger and recently released their first Japanese single. Their two albums have had Japanese editions released, and, as always, they have plenty of endorsements and their songs are on tons of drama soundtracks. I am going to review them eventually, though, look forward to that!

Starring:
Angela Zhang as Mai Qiu Sui (Huang Fu Shan)
Wu Chun as Nan Feng Jin
Calvin Chen as Nan Feng Cai
Gu Bao Ming as Huang Fu Xiong (Emp)
George Hu as Nan Feng Lin
Li Ang Lin as Nan Feng Ying
Genie Zhuo as Gong Mo Li
Hsia Ching Ting as Yi Sen Chuan
Bu Xue Liang as Mai Cong Guang
Huang Jia Qian as Mai Ge Hao Wa
Lu Jian Yu as Head of Guards

Romantic Princess, Gong Zhu Xiao Mei, tells the story of Xiao Mai. Illegally adopted by a poorer family, she’s always dreamed that she was actually an heiress. One day to her and her parent’s surprise, the right hand man of Asia’s richest man Huang Fu Xiong (called Emp) comes take her back to her real home. She is actually the granddaughter of Emp and 17 years ago was taken by his enemies and later abandoned on the side of the road. Finally, after years of searching, his men have finally found her. She doesn’t want to leave her parents and her current life, but since her parents adopted her illegally, they have no legal rights as her guardians.

She reluctantly comes to live in their grand mansion and is told that her grandfather expects her to marry his successor when the time comes. The two pairs of brothers from the Nan Feng family are his candidates. The four have lived in the Huang Fu household since they were children and were groomed to eventually take over his corporation. Jin in particular is Emp’s favorite. Too bad neither he nor any of his brothers plan on becoming the successor. But as Xiao Mai and Jin begin to fall for each other, Emp insists on them getting engaged, something that will force Jin into becoming the successor.

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. The plot, while of course being impossible, was very good and really fun to watch. I think a lot of what makes this drama really watchable is that it’s so much like a fairytale. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good fairytale? I know I love them! What’s nice about this fairytale is that is does have a few roots in reality and is undeniably modern. I have to say I love the clothes that Xiao Mai, Jin, and Cai have.

I’ve complained about Taiwanese dramas not have much side stories on other characters, and of course this drama is no different. While a few of the characters are given a little more depth (Emp, Cai, Mo Li), most are just there for no other purpose than to just be there (Lin, Ying, Xiao Mi, Xiao Mai’ parents). In the first episode, we find out that for some reason, Ying can’t stand to hear anyone say the name “Angela.” I thought that maybe later we’d find out why, but actually we don’t. So I’m not sure I understand what the point of adding those few short scenes throughout the drama if there wasn’t actually going to be anything coming out of it.

Acting-wise, it’s pretty good. Angela was really charming as Xiao Mai and it surprised me how much I liked her in this role. Actually, she stars in another drama that I really want to watch called Ai Sha 17. Unlike most Taiwanese dramas, it’s a mystery-type thing, so I’m excited to start that. But that’s for another day. Also, she looked really beautiful throughout the entire thing and I have to say that I don’t like her haircut on her Ang 5.0 album, the long, wavy hair looks much better on her.

Wu Chun also really surprised me here. I’ve watched him in Tokyo Juliet (with the great Ariel Lin), which I will cover some day, and he was just so-so. He was a little better in Hua Yang, but his role here was the best I’ve seen him yet. Really quite dashing. And next is my favorite, Calvin Chen as Cai. I think I’ve fallen in love, haha. He was really endearing and completely won me over, though his character can get a bit annoying at some points.

Generally, Romantic Princess is a well-acted drama with a fun fairytale-in-reality plotline. Like all other Twdramas, there are some pretty cheesy and over the top dream scenes, but the entire thing was really fun and didn’t skimp on the drama, either. Wu Chun and Angela Zhang look really good together and best of all, unlike Jdrama’s stale kissing scenes, theirs were not bad at all!

Buy the boxset: Taiwan Version