Michael Wong (singer)
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| 光良 Guang Liang |
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Image:0095b.jpg
Promotional shot from Guang Liang's latest album, Commitment
It should be possible to replace this fair use image with a freely licensed one. If you can, please do so as soon as is practical. |
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| Years active | 1995-present |
| Genres | Mandarin Pop |
| Labels | Rock Records (1995–2005) Seed Music (2005-present) A music(2005–present) |
Michael Wong (born August 30, 1970), or Guang Liang (Chinese: 王光良; pinyin: Wáng Guāngliáng), as he is more commonly known to the Chinese music market, is a Malaysian singer that has successfully made his name in the Taiwan music scene. Wang specializes in composing and singing romantic and hysterical love songs using his skills on the piano.
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[edit] Profile
From: Malaysia, Ipoh
Date Of Birth: 30 August 1970
Horoscope: Virgo
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Blood type: B
[edit] Biography
Born in Ipoh, Malaysia to a family of six as the third child amidst two older brothers and one younger sister, the first step of Michael Wong's journey in the world of music began when his parents invested into a piano (a semitone lower) for him and his younger sister. Michael was ten years old at the time. He then began to accompany his six year-old sister to attend piano lessons together. He has practiced the piano for 7 years since then.
Michael, as a devout Catholic, often sang in the church choir during his school days and was once a choir teacher at a church. Graduating from Sam Tet School in Ipoh, Michael often participated in musical performances in school and has been writing his own songs since secondary school. Arriving in Kuala Lumpur (the capital city of Malaysia) to pursue a course in computer engineering, he was introduced to MIDI (Music Information Digital Interface), and his interest in the world of music composition began to grow.
[edit] Wu Yin Liang Pin (無印良品)
Entering from up to 30 singing competitions in town in a single year, where he managed to surface as the winner several times, were also the stepping stones to his successful singing career today. Finally noticed by Asia Pacific Music in the Pioneer karaoke contest, he then joined forces with a college mate, Victor Wong, and together the duo produced a demo album for Rock Records, which in turn, signed them up almost immediately. They then formed a duo group known more commonly known in Malaysia as Michael & Victor or Guang Liang Pin Guan (光良品冠). In Taiwan and China, they were mostly known as Wu Yin Liang Pin (無印良品), a name given by their record label in Taiwan.
[edit] The split
The duo then arguably became the first Malaysians to attain much success in the music scene in Taiwan. Their albums managed to hit the top notch both locally and in Taiwan as their debut album went platinum in both nations. After a few splendid and successful years together as a duo in the Chinese music scene, during which the pair bagged countless awards for their success, Michael and Victor then decided it was time to part cordially and go their own ways in the music scene as solo singers in year 2000.
[edit] Solo career
Not long after the announcement, Michael worked hard to compose and write new songs for his new solo album, 'Michael's First Time'. Although Michael's company promptly decided that he should produce his first solo album on his own, Michael did not agree straight away. This is because Michael was not confident that he was skillful enough to produce one whole album all by himself. However, after much contemplating, Michael finally accepted the challenge and was successful in breaking away from the Michael & Victor mould. Other than working on his own album, Michael also found time to co-produce other singers' albums like Rene Liu and Fish Leong.
[edit] Fairy tale
After releasing two solo albums on his own (Michael's First Time, Ray of Light), his fans had to wait another two years before Michael finally launched his much-anticipated album, Fairytale (Tong Hua). The first single from this album, Fairy Tale, Michael wrote and composed by himself. Michael, who is more of a composer and hardly wrote lyrics, asked about 30 lyricists for suggestions for this particular song. After finally adding a finishing touch to the song with lyrics he wrote himself, he then left it to be arranged and produced by the experienced Japanese producer Taichi Nakamura. After rejecting the first few songs he short-listed himself for the album with his sense of perfection, Michael eventually re-selected some songs himself and finally rooted for his ten favourite songs to be cut into the album, of which six were co-written by himself. His two years of hard work finally paid off when this album immediately attained success, and is critically acclaimed to be Michael's best-selling album yet.
Fairy Tale has proved to be his strongest single yet by shooting up to No. 1 immediately after it was released in January 2005, making it to the top of the download counter Baidu 500 for 15 weeks as Asia was swept by the "Fairy Tale Tornado". The single is arguably the most successful Chinese language song in the 21st Century. As of 2007 it is still among the top in the karaoke charts. Not only that, Fairy Tale also raised Michael to the top as he became arguably the first Malaysian to win four main awards in the Chinese music scene's biggest award show, the Hong Kong TVB8 Golden Music Awards, which was held on 3rd December, 2005. He has managed to win Best Composition, Best Composer/Artiste, Top Ten Songs of the Year and also the major award of the awards show, Best of the Year's Top 10 Songs, that astonished everyone that night. On top of all that, all this happened in his first ever participation this year in the music awards show that has been held for eight years and going. Michael was the biggest winner of the night despite him facing a mouthful of competition from the biggest stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China and Singapore.
[edit] New contracts
Not long after that, Michael has made the biggest decision in his singing career by announcing his departure from his long time recording company, Rock Records, in July 2005. After 10 years being contracted with Rock Records, Michael is now officially signed to Seed Music. The reason of his departure from Rock Records was because Rock Records believed that since his music was so simple, it was not music. Thus, they ignored him. On TV, someone had claimed that Michael's music was not music due to its simplicity, causing the singer grief. Michael's unstable relationship with Rock Records has encouraged his decision to leave for Seed Music. When pressed for comments, Michael firmly and merely stated that he thanked Rock Records for giving him his big break.
[edit] Acting career
His talents and works in the music world aside, Michael also happens to be a worthy actor. Acting alongside Taiwanese singer Richie Ren, fellow Malaysian singer, Ah Niu and famous Cantonese singer/actress, Sammi Cheng, Michael made his debut in the big screen in movie 'Summer Holiday' in year 2000. Next to that, Michael also acted in several TV drama series in Taiwan, such as White Romance (starring alongside Karena Lin), Wintry Night 2, and a several more. Besides that, Michael also did a stunning act in Taiwanese director, Su Chaopin's debut comedy movie, 'BTS'. Besides movies and drama series, Michael also starred in a musical stage drama in Taiwan, 'Mr. Wing' in August 2005.
[edit] Commitment
He has released his new fourth album, which is entitled 《約定》(Yue Ding / Commitment)and was sold 1.5milion copies in less than one month. This is a best collection of many of his past works. There would be a total of approximately 17 tracks on this album. Three self-penned new songs are featured in this new album, which are titled 《約定》(Commitment), 《都是你》(Dou Shi Ni / It's You) and 《擁抱我》(Yong Bao Wo / Embrace Me). The rest of the album will be filled with songs which he wrote for other singers like 《勇氣》[(Yong Qi / Courage)-original singer: Fish Leong)], 《我等你》[(Wo Deng Ni / I'm Waiting For You)-original singer: Rene Liu)] and 《戀》[(Lian / Love)-original singer: Angelica Lee)]. He also included the songs he written and sang when he was still part of the duo, Michael and Victor. A clip of his new song, Yue Ding, can be heard at his official site.
Owing to the overwhelming success of Tong Hua, some critics have expressed their concerns that Tong Hua might only be Michael's one-hit-wonder. His critics were proven wrong as the sales of his fourth album, Yue Ding, exceeded expectations by selling more than a million copies worldwide in a month's time. Wang's fanbase has grown tremendously and has gained much popularity globally. His success as a singer and songwriter has earned him countless awards from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
[edit] Further success
Gaining more and more recognition globally, Michael was recently appointed as Tourism Malaysia's ambassador. Earlier before that, Michael's participation in A Music records label in Hong Kong has also gained him more recognition in Asia. He appeared as a guest appearance at the concert of famous Cantonese singer, Leon Lai concert in October 2005.
On June 6, 2006, Michael made it into the Malaysia Book of Records as the Malaysian Chinese Male Composer with the highest number of awards and also for The Best Selling Chinese Album (Tong Hua).Michael has gathered 44 awards,23 which were for his hit song Tong Hua.
Michael has also managed to make it to the nominees' list of the 17th Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammys. Michael was holding up against fellow Taiwan-based Malaysian singer Penny Tai and other musical talents like Hu Defu, Chen Xiaoxia, and Yu Yang in the Best Composer Category. Although the award went to fellow Malaysian singer, Penny Tai, Michael expresses that he feels very grateful and lucky to be nominated in this prestigious award ceremony.
[edit] Commitment : Fulfilled
In the past, Michael always felt puzzled and uncertain whenever his fans urged him with the question, "When are you finally having a concert?". Due to circumstances in the past, Michael has never held his own solo concert before and always tried to soothe his fans by making promises to them that he will, one day, finally stage his own solo concert some time soon. And therefore, in year 2006, he finally got the chance to fulfill the commitment between him and his fans.
With just half a year in Hong Kong music scene, Michael who gained more recognition in Hong Kong, was given a golden opportunity to stage his own solo concert. Not only that it's his first time, but it will also be held in the famous Hong Kong Coliseum where almost every Chinese singer dreams to stage their own concert. Apparently, he is the first Malaysian singer to do so. Although a bit worried about the amount of audience turning up that night, Michael's fear has been proven to be unnecessary because his concert tickets was sold out after being available for purchase in only 5 days! Michael was deeply surprised and delighted and thanked his fans greatly for their utmost support to his music. Michael completed his much-anticipated first solo concert in the Hong Kong Coliseum on the 29th of March and the success of the whole concert was undeniable. His concert is entitled 'Michael's First Fairy Tale Concert 2006'. Michael has managed to make his mark in everybody's heart with his love for music. After that, he will set to return to his homeland, Malaysia in September to stage a concert there as well.
His second concert, titled 'Michael's Commitment Concert Malaysia 2006', was held on the 1st of September in the Putra Indoor Stadium in Malaysia. After about a few weeks of selling tickets, all were sold out. Due to the overwhelming response, Michael and his company decided to stage his concert there for two nights. Michael was very delighted and grateful that his fans are so supportive and stated that he hoped these two concerts will allow him to introduce his country, Malaysia to his fans from other countries, playing the role as Tourism Malaysia's envoy. His two shows in Malaysia guaranteed a fun-filled night where fans enjoyed Michael's soothing, self-written songs.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Solo Albums
- Michael's First Time 第一次個人創作專輯 (dì yi cì gè rén chuàng zuò zhuān jí) (May 10, 2001)
- Ray of Light 光芒 (guāng máng) (November 08, 2002)
- Fairy Tale 童話 (tong huà) Fairy Tale (January 1, 2005)
- Commitment 约定 (yuē dìng) (March 03, 2006)
- Michael & Victor / Guang Liang Pin Guan (光良品冠) /Wu Yin Liang Pin (無印良品) Albums
- Palm 掌心 (zhǎng xin) (August 1995)
- Oversensitive 多心 (duō xin) (May 1996)
- Palm 掌心 (zhǎng xin) (October 1996)- (combination of 掌心, zhǎng xin and 多心, duō xin)
- Having you beside me 有你在身旁 (May 1997)- (Malaysian version CD of Wu Yin Liang Pin X 2)
- Wu Yin Liang Pin x 2 無印良品 x 2 (June 1997)
- Thinking Too Much (selected songs) (胡思亂想, hú si luàn xiǎng (精選)) (Hong Kong) - August 1997
- The three of us (3 人行, 3 rén xíng) (Taiwan/Malaysia) - January 1998
- Wanna See You (想見你, xiǎng jiàn ni) (Taiwan) - February 1999
- Take Care Michael & Victor - 95-99 - Farewell Compilation (珍重無印良品 - 95-99 分手紀念精選集,
zhē n chóng wú yìn liáng pin - 95- 99 fē n shou jì niàn jing xuǎ n jí) (Taiwan) - December 1999
- 10 Golden Years in Hong Kong Rock Records - Michael & Victor 【 滾石香港黃金十年 】光良品冠精選 ([wen shí xiāng gǎng huang jin shí nián] guāng liáng pin guā n jing xuǎ n ]) ( (Hong Kong) - (March 2003)
Live Albums:
- Take Care Michael & Victor Farewell Concert (Live Recording) (珍重無印良品再見演唱會 Live 全紀錄, zhē n chóng wú yìn liáng pin zài jiàn yǎ n chàng yǎn chàng huì Live quán jì lù) (Live Recording) - (Taiwan) - June 2000
EP Albums:
- The World Shines Because of Love 世界因愛發光 (shì jiè yin ài fā guāng) - December 1997
Other CDs:
- I Believe 我要跟隨祂 (wǒ yào gen suí tā ) (Christian songs) - 1994
[edit] Filmography
Movies :
- The Threesome : The Movie (三人行音樂電影) (sā n rén xíng yin yuè diàn ying) - 1998
- Summer Holiday (夏日麼麼茶) (xià rì me me chá)- 2000
- BTS (愛情靈藥) (ài qíng líng yào) - 2001
- Like A Hero (英勇戰士俏姑娘) (yīng yǒng shì zhan shì qiào gūniang)- 2005
- Purple Mirage - 2006
Dramas :
- White Romance (白色戀曲) (bái sè liàn qu) - 2001
- A Change of Fate (時來運轉) (shí lái yùn zhuan) - 2001
- Good Luck,Angel (王牌天使) (wáng pái tiā n shi) - 2003
- Love Storm (狂愛龍捲風) (kuáng ài lóng juǎn fē ng) - 2003
- Wintry Night 2 (寒夜續曲) (hán yè xù qu) - 2003
Musical Stage Drama :
- Mr. Wing ~ a romantic rhapsody (幸運兒) (xìng yùn ér) - 2005
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
- Michael's Website — official personal website, available in both traditional and simplified Chinese
[edit] Fansites
- MIFC Website — Michael International Fan Club official website
- Cantonese Michael & Victor family — Cantonese Michael & Victor Fan Club website
[edit] Album review
- Chinese Music Blog - Michael Wong — Michael Wong Album Reviews
