[13.08.2007] Wu Chun as Brunei's tourism ambassador?

By Azaraimy HH

Brunei's rising star Wu Chun could one day become a tourism ambassador for the Sultanate and help bring in more tourists from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.
Wu Chun, who is a professional fitness coach and lead star of Taiwanese drama "Tokyo Juliet" and one of the members of Taiwanese boy band "Fahrenheit", would be an excellent candidate to become Brunei's tourism ambassador particularly in the Chinese market.

This observation was made by Brunei Tourism Chief Sheikh Jamaluddin during the opening ceremony of Palm Garden Hotel and Fitness Zone's new multi-storey fitness centre in Kiulap yesterday.

He said that he was surprised to see that fans of Wu Chun and foreign paparazzi had followed him from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Making a popular artiste as a tourism ambassador is not a new thing. Jackie Chan for instance was made a tourism ambassador for Hong Kong in 2003.

As a rising star in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Wu Chun would be an excellent spokesperson for Brunei, said Sheikh Jamaluddin.

However, the tourism chief said that the idea of giving Wu Chun such a role would first have to be reviewed by the board.

In an interview, Wu Chun told the Bulletin that he looked forward to becoming a tourism ambassador, saying that he would like to do his part in promoting Brunei tourism.

Some fans at yesterday's event, meanwhile, said that Wu Chun's popularity in the Sultanate would skyrocket if he could learn how to sing in Malay or act in Malay dramas.

Even though Wu Chun is one of the members of "Fahrenheit" and a leading actor in Taiwanese dramas, most locals, particularly those who do not speak Chinese, are not familiar with him.

Wu Chun, whose real name is Goh Kiat Chun, was born in Brunei and is of Chinese descent. He was discovered when he travelled to Taiwan and was asked to become a main character (despite his then-lack of Mandarin fluency) in the Taiwanese drama "Tokyo Juliet", which catapulted him to a star.

Later, he also joined the popular Taiwanese boy band "Fahrenheit".

Prior to entering showbiz, he was a model and fitness instructor. He graduated from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

In 2006, he starred in "Hua Yang Shao Nian Shao Nu", which was one of the top rated dramas.


Credits: Borneo Bulletin, issued on 13th August 2007