WU CHUN IN THE ZONE! UPDATED.

August 11, 2007 by Jan Shim

If there is a name the media loves getting it wrong and gets away with, it’s Wu Chun who also goes by Zhun and Zun. Perhaps this is all part of show biz creative licenses at work or perhaps it [show biz] simply subscribes to the notion of variety being the spice of life!

This post begins with photos of Chun at his new establishment on the eve of the grand opening. It was the first time I had stepped into Fitness Zone and certainly the first time I had met Chun in person and I must say—he looked every bit like what I’d imagined and he handled himself with finesse when I introduced myself. The following three pictures are candids shot with a telephoto lens at 200mm on my EOS 5D.

Photo gallery from the Fitness Zone Grand Opening at the end of this post (incl. a bonus gallery dedicated to Wu Chun’s fans)

Chun takes photos of his clients and staff at work while fans look on in admiration.

With so many digital cameras and camera phones pointed at him, Chun remained unfazed by the attention and took a couple of shots of us in reciprocity.

On Grand Opening day right after Chun concluded press conference, there was photo opportunity with Chun before he handed me a goodie bag and another for a special friend, Leukaemia patient Desmond Chin for whom I’m helping raise donations. Many thanks, Chun, you’ve just touched someone with your kindness.

As a token of my appreciation, I produced these photo DVD as a gift to celebrate his success. On it contains still photos and a gallery of the grand opening that Chun can share with his family and friends and is welcome to share them with his fans on his personal blog. I’m working and commuting for most part of this week before I head over to my next shoot in Hanoi for the ASEAN 100 Leadership Forum. I’ve asked my sister in law Julie to pass the discs to Chun. I hope he gets them before he leaves Brunei.

^ DVD design and photography © Jan Shim Photography

Selected photos from Grand Opening day starts here …

^ This is one of my favourite moments that I chose for the DVD cover.

^ Chun delivers his speech in Malay and English.

Well, I have to admit that I was rather amazed by how broadly fitness is now defined this century. What is fitness? It’s not just about working out at clubs anymore. It has also to do with how you eat, sleep and live … it should be part of everyone’s life!

This is why I had this dream to build a world-class fitness club that allows Bruneians to enjoy the intrinsic rewards of changing ones lives through fitness. That’s why I had a great passion for this job as much as today as I did when I was just starting out. ~ Wu Chun

^ Chun taking time out to refuel.

^ Press conference nonchalance

^ One of Chun’s many faces during the press conference

^ Chun makes his way to autograph signing after press conference

^ Chun spreading his magic in various colors.

^ The Brunei Times: Wu Zhun willing to help to promote Brunei tourism

The grand opening day was quite an eye opener—for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why there were so many edgy females that morning, an encounter that is rather unusual. Walking around with my long lenses and camera pouches, I sensed that they did not want to be photographed and when they began covering their faces or turning away, I knew something was up and it quickly dawned on me that these rather peculiar and uncharacteristic behaving females must be his fans who had come from several countries to see their idol. WOW!

PHOTO GALLERIES/SLIDESHOW:

WU CHUN—GRAND OPENING OF FITNESS ZONE AND PALM GARDEN HOTEL
THE MANY FACES OF WU CHUN [at the press conference]

Copyright Notice:
These images are the property of Jan Shim Photography. You may save them for personal viewing only. Hosting them on other sites is strictly prohibited. You may show your support by providing a link to this page using the address below.
http://shimworld.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/shimworld-feature-wu-chun/

Gallery Highlights:
The photo gallery begins with the walkway between the Palm Garden Hotel and Fitness Zone and goes on to give you a journalistic view as events unfold including a peek inside Fitness Zone and the facilities it offers to give members a one-stop healthy lifestyle programme.

Oh, did I mention it was a HOT DAY ?

Thanks to poster and fan Rebecca_mel for the heads up on BAIDU.com, a huge site with a ton of information on Wu Chun and his Taiwanese pop band Fahrenheit (interesting background info) and SHIMworld makes its online appearance in China.

At the moment how much I wish you could read Chinese writing, then you could feel and understand how deeply the chun’s fans who have seen your works are thanking you and cherishing such precious pictures taken by a professional photographer like you….

All these high compliments are not only from myself, but also from the bottom heart of every chun’s supporter…And they are one hundred percent sincere…I wish you can feel it ….

And at the end, please allow me to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH one more time, on behalf of chun’s fans. As one of them, I’m more than moved by these rare pictures, and as a photography enthusiast, I sincerely respect and admire you… Rebecca_mel

I hope you enjoy your stay and thank you very much for visiting!

Posted in Blogroll, Brunei Darussalam, Photography | 159 Comments

159 Responses to “WU CHUN IN THE ZONE! UPDATED.”

on August 11, 2007 at 10:56 pm1 Justina

Way To Go!! Let’s give Brunei people a Healthy Lifestyle!!
on August 11, 2007 at 11:48 pm2 Pau

Aish… Kiulap will sure be jammed tomorrow..
on August 11, 2007 at 11:49 pm3 Pau

Kidding la… Hope the opening goes well!!
on August 12, 2007 at 7:31 pm4 Rebecca_mel

Thank you very much for sharing the beautiful pictures with us….

We just love them so much!

Thanks a million
on August 12, 2007 at 7:56 pm5 YANKI

w0w..
I L0ve this ph0t0s..
thAnk y0u Very much`x)
on August 12, 2007 at 9:36 pm6 annie

These are really beautiful pictures you have taken. Look forward to seeing your review and pictures on the grand opening of Chun’s 2nd Fitness Center!
on August 12, 2007 at 11:26 pm7 Colin Quek

Wait till i send this to his fans in SG….

Colin Q
http://www.colin-q.com
on August 13, 2007 at 12:41 am8 lynn

I really like the first photo you took for Chun. You caught the perfect moment with an exhausting cute expression. Thank you for sharing.
on August 13, 2007 at 1:54 am9 lynn

Hi, as far as I can imagine, the reaction from the fans you saw today could be caused by two reasons: culture character and diffidence.

Fans from Asia usually behave less open than those from western countries. Asian culture decorates our ways to express our sensation implicitly. Also, our moral norms might restrict us to release our passion directly to outside. The western people might relate this reaction again to the vulnerable results of lack of human right consciousness and freedom.

Diffidence is another main reason. When people are not confident enough, they try to veil themselves and keep distance. Maybe most of them havent realized that real is beautiful.

Fans behave like stalkers sometimes, with the encouragement from their little fever of admiration; they also can heal up their illusion immediately once they are fed up with personal ignorance. Life is filled with self-defined truth.

p.s. i am not a crazy chaser for chun.
on August 13, 2007 at 2:23 am10 panyingpat

….Thank U very much…^ ^
Chun fan
on August 13, 2007 at 8:01 am11 Top Posts « WordPress.com

[...] SHIMWORLD FEATURE: WU CHUN [image] Wu Chun © 2007 Jan Shim Photography I spent a good part of what was a very hot afternoon at the Lexus showroom […] [...]
on August 13, 2007 at 10:30 am12 catherine

Hi there!

Yeah, nice shots!
Thanks for sharing your pieces with us.

rgds from m’sia
catherine
on August 13, 2007 at 11:42 am13 jessie

Thanks for sharing ur beautiful pictures with us! Keep up the good work We are really appreciate
on August 13, 2007 at 12:08 pm14 Lily

Wow…excellent shots~awesome photos, I love them!
Awaiting your new updates….

Thanks & regards,
Lily
Fan of Chun from Singapore
on August 13, 2007 at 1:03 pm15 antron

The photos are awesome and indeed impressive.

Well, you may want to ask Chun why his fans are always hiding from camera. I think he know the answer.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

antron
on August 13, 2007 at 1:57 pm16 Roland Lim

I must say I didn’t know who Wu Chun was until I read this post. He has the look a pop star. Nice pics btw!

Roland
on August 13, 2007 at 3:12 pm17 Wendy (Singapore)

Impressive written~
And thanks for the nice shots of CHUN’s photos!
Hope to see more updates from you~>.<
on August 13, 2007 at 8:45 pm18 IngSiang

I like the one you took with him, hehe. xD I would like to try the indoor rock climbing facility, hmm… xD
on August 13, 2007 at 8:51 pm19 IngSiang

And wow, blog post of the day! (@ WordPress.Com) =D Cool. xD
on August 13, 2007 at 10:02 pm20 PrincessTx

It must be a culture thing. If you go to Chun’s Album on his blog, a lot of the fans don’t want to get their pictures taken by him. In fact, they only want to take pictures of him.

What really blows my mind is how Asian fans loves to follow their idols?I mean, in the US, it is very uncommon. I can’t believe the fans from China, HK, and Taiwan flew to Brunei just for the grand openings. That’s a bit extreme. I could understand if you send some congrats message with flowers but to follow him everywhere is just crazy. Don’t you agree?
on August 13, 2007 at 10:10 pm21 PrincessTx

And thanks so much for posting the pictures!! They were very nice. Do you have a Canon 5D?

I have Canon Rebel XT and I love it, but don’t have a lot of time right now to take pictures since I am getting my masters in business.
on August 14, 2007 at 12:25 am22 shimworld

@ PrincessTx

You could say it’s a tad extreme to idolise someone to the extent of following him here. But having said that, it is great for the tourism industry when foreigners come visit us. Yes, I shoot with a 5D and for this event, I used the Canon 17-40mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses. There will be plenty of time and opportunity to take photographs after getting your masters. I wish you all the best!
on August 14, 2007 at 12:40 am23 Fay

Haha! At first I thought I just come here looking at your nice photos read your blog and go but I freaking laughed when I saw your question. Hahaha

Well, from my experience ;p Some of my friends have to lie their boss to take leave of the work or their study just to follow their idols. So they don’t want their faces to appear on any news prevent them from having trouble with their boss and parents. And some of my friends follow their idols quite often so they don’t want to have any problem with their work, study and parents ;p It’s not good with their image.And some of them though they chase those celebrities quite often but I think some of them still think that it isn’t good doing this kind of thing and kinda embarrassed about it. I feel that they feel like that because some trips they think it’s super crazy follow them around to many many places they go but still…want to follow.I think it kinda addicted somtime ;p At the very first time I didn’t feel it’s embarrassing too. But after being a fan for quite a long time sometime….I don’t want my face to appear on TV or newspaper too(But It’s okey….i’m not that serious about it anyway)…Sometime maybe it’s too crazy and feel ashamed about it I guess.Don’t know why exactly either.Hehe. I think it’s fanclub’s culture.You’ll feel the same way your friends feel. I saw most of the celebrities’s fans on the news always hide their faces wherever there are cameras. And I always laugh that fanclub are always same no matter whomever that fanclubs are and wherever in asia.Haha.

But for Chun’s fans I thought there is another one reason. Maybe because Chun always tease them by taking their picture back when he’s taken photo by his fans and he always post them in his blog so some fans afraid to be on his blog….haha

Is this help you to enlighten? ;D

By the way, your pictures are REALLY nice!! ;D
on August 14, 2007 at 1:03 am24 sandypopo

these pictures are so amazing. you are so professional that we can see the different sides of wu chun.
thank you very much.
on August 14, 2007 at 1:37 am25 shimworld

Just updated with two galleries. You are welcome to link this blog by using the following URL.

http://shimworld.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/shimworld-feature-wu-chun
on August 14, 2007 at 7:54 am26 shimworld

@ Lynn, Fay

Thanks for taking the time to get me up to speed on the inner sanctum of idol-fan relationship behaviour. I found this phenomenon very interesting and certainly found myself on a new learning curve at events like this. Lynn very eloquently describes the psyche of Chun’s fans. Fay’s insight into the dark side pretty much confirms what I suspected then. I guess that is expected when you elude yourself from reality to live in another world. Being far away from home presented with the opportunity to stay at the Palm Garden Hotel, I’d imagine, heightens the sense acceptance by and proximity to their idol.
on August 14, 2007 at 9:29 am27 Jiggles

Have yet to register to this gym, heheh will u be my gym partner jan ? keke as if we got the time rite ?
on August 14, 2007 at 9:31 am28 Jiggles

oh, can u pack me into ur luggage for hanoi… u knw its not gna be fun w/o me
on August 14, 2007 at 9:49 am29 shimworld

It has come to my attention that viewers in China aren’t able to access this blog and the photo gallery. It appears there is active filtering by the Chinese government and there’s absolutely nothing I can do here. One huge fan is reportedly devastated because of this. My apologies.
on August 14, 2007 at 10:26 am30 Rebecca_mel

Dear Mr. Shim:

As chun’s supports from http://www.wuzunba.cn, we really really appreciate your sharing all these gorgeous photos with us…

Your expertise and the generous sharing deeply impress us.

To let more fans from mainland china could see these beautiful photos, I have uploaded your pictures to photobucket….Sorry for didn’t ask for your approval beforehand …Wish you wouldn’t be mad….

Again, thank you very much for making the effort to produce the DVD and, taking your time sharing with us…

We greatly appreciate your efforts and generosity.

Cheers ,

Rebecca_mel
on August 14, 2007 at 11:23 am31 zyra_angel

congrates to wu zun.. i believe you will success your bisnes..and everything you do.. bring the healthyness in Brunei..Good Luck.. hope to meet you soon
on August 14, 2007 at 11:31 am32 Janice

Thank You very much for the live reporting and the beautiful photos. You make Mr Goh Kiat Chun look really good on the fruits of your lens. Made many fans real happy too! I even spotted one of my friends in your photos. And that was a real pretty photo of her too! Haha!

I’ve also browsed your wedding gallery as I’m getting married soon. Beautiful photos!!! Love the Malay wedding photos more than the Chinese wedding ones. The wide angle taken ones are lovely. I’m interested in photography but, still saving up money for a good investment. Haha!

And, travel photos of yours are simply fantastic. Thank You very much. I’ve learnt alot.

And my fave photo? It’s the Lionhead Goldfish. More Than Just Cute. It is seriously amazing to see what you can see through the lens. I’m awed. Thank you once again.

cheers, Jan (Singapore)
on August 14, 2007 at 12:49 pm33 antron

How should i express my deepest thanks for your great photos once again.

have finished viewing the photos from photo gallery.

efficient and excellent photographer.

if Chun going to get marrried , he MUST invite you to be his wedding photographer. You really capture his movements

You really done a superb job. Split moments that i didnt think of him as an celebrity. So much more like a handsome businessman at work!

antron
P/S : are we able to have a copy of the dvd too ? haha Envy chun so much. Maybe i should also consider you as my wedding photographer
on August 14, 2007 at 1:14 pm34 Soruetai

Hi

Thank You very much for report and good photos.
Chun look really good looking
on August 14, 2007 at 3:33 pm35 Wendy (Singapore)

Wow…. never know I could also see a familiar face among your photos~
I was pointing to the picture no.12
That gal on the photo looks familar
Guess she is from Singapore~^^

She must be very happy if she seen this~
on August 14, 2007 at 3:46 pm36 siewhwei

can I get the speech from wu chun..??
I mean the speech that he said for opening ceremony..
Thank you so much…send my reply to my email ok…
thank you..
on August 14, 2007 at 3:53 pm37 irene

Hi Shim

Without your excellent skills and thoughtful sharing to put up these photos shots,we (being Chuns’ fans all over the continents)will not be so fortunate to share these sweet memorable momemnts in Chun’s life. Through my buddy I came to know the link of yours.
I wish you every success in your photography career path.

Chun came into my life after this buddy sharing inforamtion with me on him and gradually I liked and adored him very much. He is a very hardworking and promising young lad who has a very high enterprising brain. He is so fond by all his fans over the continents is all because of his down to earth warm hearts towards others. I considered myself one of his beloved fans now.
on August 14, 2007 at 6:11 pm38 panadary

Thank a lot for this new..Wow perfect man!
on August 14, 2007 at 6:35 pm39 Pau

Wa … there must be some soompiers here…
on August 14, 2007 at 7:27 pm40 Debbie

AH HAH HAH! That’s my article!!!

Keep rockin the lens Jan! ;P
on August 14, 2007 at 7:50 pm41 chunlove

so nice photo!
thanks for your sharing~~~
on August 14, 2007 at 11:15 pm42 julie

Just passed the DVD to Chun, I’m sure he will like the photos, esp with Jan’s professionalism. Good Job, Bro-in-law.

As for Chun, We will always support you, Our Brunei Star!!
on August 15, 2007 at 12:01 am43 vickyying465

I want to have a copy of the dvd, Please!

THANKS!!

Chun’s HK fans
on August 15, 2007 at 12:27 am44 Fay

I’m back again. WOW! Your photos are really AWESOME!!! What a NICE skill you have!! Thanks for sharing. He must love them as I do.

I’m quite interested with photography too. But I don’t have a chance to practice it seriously yet. Hope someday I can do it as good as you. Um…just half of your skill I’ll be glad.: )

So Chun still there? Wow! He must be very busy with his new gym so that he stay home quite long this time. That’s good. He’ll has a chance to rest peaceably….I hope.

Anyway, Thanks for sharing story too. You are so generous!! : )
on August 15, 2007 at 9:57 am45 #17Nz.

all usual loving all the photos uncle :).
on August 15, 2007 at 12:48 pm46 shimworld

Hello folks,

Thanks a bunch for your support and very kind comments. Through your fascination for Wu Chun and his Taiwanese band Fahrenheit, I have learnt much more about them including spelling the word correctly (guess I’ve been more of a Celcius guy) :).

I’m grateful that through Julie, Chun received the DVDs so I know they are in safe hands. I’ll leave it to Chun to decide what he does with the photographs. During the event, I spoke with the female photographer from Taiwan who had come exclusively for Chun’s event and we shot with the same camera, lens and flash: Canon EOS 5D, 24-70mm and Speedlite 580EX. This is an amazing 12.8 full frame Digital SLR! I mention this as there are so many of you aspiring photographers here.

Thanks to Rebecca_mel for her email letting me know about just how passionate Wu Chun’s fans feel about him in China. This affection is expressed on Baidu.com pages. Unfortunately, while I speak mandarin reasonably well, I cannot understand written Chinese. I’ll have to get someone to read them to me when convenient.
on August 15, 2007 at 6:26 pm47 Rebecca_mel

Hi Jan:

I don’t know what to say except millions of THANKS….

Just hope you haven’t got bored…

Hehehe

Thanks for your understanding and everything….

Look forward to seeing your exciting new works!!!

Warm regards,

Rebecca_mel
on August 16, 2007 at 12:25 am48 ypheng

thank you very much!!!! u are my saviour!! ^^

-ypheng-msia
~chun fan~
on August 16, 2007 at 4:06 am49 PrincessTx

Now I finally get what Chun constantly says in his blog about how the support he gets from his fans gives him the greatest strength to improve and continue …

I’m not a fan of his artistic abilities (he’s okay), but I’m an admirer for his ability at a young age to contribute to society in such a positive way. Most of people at his age are so consumed by the stupidst things in life. I hope I can do something great as well once I complete my masters next year.
on August 16, 2007 at 8:28 am50 buttercupmm

Greetings!

I saw your post in our Forum http://fahrenheit-globa1.actifforum.com/index.htm I am one of the Administrator there and i want to thank you for taking time in sharing your photos of Chun there. There two photos that I really like the one where Chun is about to like rub his eye and the other one the photo of his hands very nice.

Looking forward to more of your fantastic shots.
on August 16, 2007 at 12:46 pm51 Rebecca_mel

HI Jan:

Please check out the following web link when you be free:

http://post.baidu.com/f?kz=248516271

***A post respectfully dedicated to you***

Cheers & Have a lovely day !
on August 16, 2007 at 2:43 pm52 Fay

Is that you? The one who hold the camera, sitting next to that woman in red T-shirt. Haha. So concentrated. No wonder why your photos turn out to be THIS good : )

http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/22563/2001321544111655647_rs.jpg
on August 16, 2007 at 10:11 pm53 runawayfishy

A big WOW at the great pics of my idol! And many thanks for sharing the pictures! =)
Love your style of photography… Wonder when I can take such nice pictures…
I’m interested in photography and I took a few photography courses as an elective in college, but my skills are just…so-so. So sad. =(
You are a Canon user huh? I’m a fan of Nikon heh… Currently own a Nikon D70S, a 28-100mm lens and a 70-300mm one…
Weirdly enough, I get nice pictures of scenery and all, but seldom get great shots of people! Especially at night! *cry* (Partly because I am shy to approach them I guess. ‘Cos I got a few nice shots at my cousin sister’s wedding!)

Would like to get some tips from you if possible!

Once again, thank you SO much for sharing these pics! I really really appreciate it!

Best wishes,
Caryn (from Malaysia)

P.S- I’m from another forum http://www.wu-chun.com (It’s in Chinese too, sorry!)
on August 16, 2007 at 10:38 pm54 shimworld

@ Rebecca_mel,

Wow! Words escape me as I try to think what’s appropriate to say to this. I’m shocked at the attention but at the same time touched—I appreciate the affirmative action you’ve taken with regards to photo copyrights and doing the right thing. Thank you.
on August 16, 2007 at 11:00 pm55 shimworld

@ Fay,

As surprised as I am to see the photo appearing on the web (I really shouldn’t be THAT surprised!) you are very perceptive—I [am] the one right beside the female photographer in red. That’s where I created a series of portraits of Chun that I named The Many Faces of Wu Chun.
on August 17, 2007 at 6:20 pm56 shimworld

@ Janice (Singapore)

Thank you very much for visiting. Chun is undoubtedly very good looking and all I did was capture his appeal, not much magic on my part except for timing and vantage point. I hope you go all the way to taking up photography either for the fun of it or making it your profession. Either way, it’s a powerful tool to stop time. Time for a Moment Lived and a Journey Shared with the world.

I am a big fan of ultra-wide perspectives and the malay wedding was shot exclusively in 16mm. Appreciation of UW images are in the details of the composition. See beyond the distortion and you see the big picture (pardon the pun).

I love to travel and they say photography is the best job in the world. It can be but photographing professionally isn’t without its problems that make the job difficult, like most jobs. I have been hired to shoot in Jakarta, Shanghai and am going to Hanoi this weekend for another job. In a similar capacity, I hope I could travel with Chun some day to document his life abroad and to celebrate the success of a Bruneian export. It’s not unthinkable.

The Lionhead Goldfish are just the cutest things aren’t they? Looking after them hasn’t been easy as I discovered recently when two of them got ill and I was thrown on a new learning curve about the world of fish breeding and caring. I am happy to report that they have since recovered from an inherent disease and am monitoring them for changed that might threaten them.
on August 18, 2007 at 4:48 pm57 YANKI

hell0`
i am yanki fr0m h0ng k0ng`
ha` chun’s fans..xd’
=V= w0w..s0 many chun’s phot -
thank y0u very much! =)

ps: -333- s0rry` my english is very bad..
on August 18, 2007 at 8:58 pm58 sayangyang

hi,Jan!I’m a fan of chun from mainland China,I link to here from baidu.com,Thank you very much for sharing so great photographs to all of us!thanks!
on August 18, 2007 at 11:01 pm59 ling

Thank you, Miss you shoot the BOSS(wu chun) is so good,

Because of your profession,
let us see the wu chun and professional gym (Fitness Zone),

We all appreciate your work, thank you for sharing,

Thank you!!!

Chun’s Taiwan fans ling
on August 18, 2007 at 11:32 pm60 lin

Thank you very much for sharing
and your professional

There are really beautiful Brunei

It is able to share the scenery?

Thank you once again
Let us see chun is not the same side

lin from taiwan
on August 19, 2007 at 10:59 am61 sisily

Thanks for sharing.

you’re kind man.

happy everyday.

from.
sisily
CHINA.
on August 21, 2007 at 4:45 pm62 Jasmine

The pictures u took are so GREAT~!
Really GREAT~!
I din make it to there.
But, I feel like im on spot, looking at the whole event when I look through ur pics.
Man, u r so GREAT~!!!!!!
Thx for sharing.
on August 21, 2007 at 8:52 pm63 JOSIE

i was really shocked whe my friend showed me the pic(u know which one haha) but anyways, u r a really great and talented photographer! so keep up the good works and wish to see more and more good works of u!!
on August 21, 2007 at 8:56 pm64 JOSIE

abt Brunei where is chuns home town!well..that was my second time in brunei!!..and i still felt very comfortable and happy althou the weather was killing me everyday!! i was so lucky cuz i got a chance to take a pic with chun’s family members and his friend that would be a very very good memory of mine and also i luv the ppl there!!! they were all very nice to me.. so im really looking forawrd visiting there again!! in one day! haha…(good essay??haha) last but not least, thanks for taking so many pix of CHUN and sharing with all of us!!this is really nice of u!!thank u very much take care!
on August 21, 2007 at 9:14 pm65 shimworld

Greetings from Hanoi, Vietnam. Today is my third day away from home but only second day in Hanoi. I spent an uneventful night in Bangkok on transit. Real work starts tomorrow for a one and a half day event with the Vietnam Prime Minister and other business and economic leaders in Asia.

I shall not bore you with this. Thank you very much for your support. I’m touched that so many fans of Chun have also shared their passion for my work and special thanks to Rebecca_mel for her efforts on Baidu.com

http://post.baidu.com/f?kz=248516271

Last night, stuck in the hotel room while it poured outside, I rang Bobby Chinn (yes, just like that) and spoke to him for a few minutes, introduced myself and told him I would try to head down to his restaurant for a meal and to have a photo taken with him. So let’s see if I make that trip … it’s about 10 minutes from the hotel. I’ll keep you posted.
on August 22, 2007 at 11:42 pm66 Fay

It’s me again!! Hehe.

Wow! you transited in Bangkok? Really want to bring you around for the sightseeing here!Hehe. I always want to go to Vietnam too but still….don’t have a chance. Hope someday I could travel there. It must be very beautiful. Lots of my friends went there and keep telling me that and that made me more envy of them ;p

Anyway, hope you have a nice trip and let us admire your SKILLFUL photos…as usual. : )

Fighting!!
on August 24, 2007 at 1:30 pm67 shimworld

@ Fay,

Hello from Hanoi, still. It’s a place with so much culture, tradition and history still very much intact. As I walked along the streets outside of Hotel Melia, tens to hundreds to thousands of people fill the scene from sidewalks to the busy streets where unlike what we’re so accustomed to seeing everyday back home, there are many more bicycles and motorbikes than they are cars and it takes great courage to actually cross the streets. I have visited Bangkok before and the intersection there (near the four face buddha) are many times wider but when the traffic lights turn green, pedestrians crossing the road was a straightforward affair. Over here on the streets of Hanoi, it’s chaotic .. and being left hand drive .. there’s also the uncertainty of where cars would make a turn from so vigilance becomes key to ensuring you make it across safely.

The event that I am here to shoot finished last night and I popped into Bobby Chin’s restaurant. Folks who are into travel programmes know this name and no later had I walked in, he appeared and called me by my first name. Impressive considering we only met two nights ago. He promptly arranged to have his rather unusually delicate menu autographed and personalised.

Here are a couple of photographs with Bobby Chinn

http://www.shimworld.com/images/bobbychinn.jpg
http://www.shimworld.com/images/bobbychinn2.jpg

Today is my last day in Hanoi. I should go out and see a little more of it while the day is still lit albeit a little overcast right this minute.
on August 24, 2007 at 4:23 pm68 Nna

i must say that the photos are uber nicee.. and i love the editting and all.

thanks so much for sharing the photos.
on August 25, 2007 at 9:35 am69 sjjart

Hi Jan Shim,
Nice photos you have there of chun. I was just wondering if it was possible for me to have a copy of the cd you gave to chun? Im willing to purchase it. If you mail me the details Id be more than happy to exchange costs. I missed the opening and I would really love to own a copy of his pictures with your permission of course.
Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Sjay
on August 27, 2007 at 8:23 am70 Shimworld

A Note to those who have written to me requesting for the Photo DVD.

The Photo DVD was produced exclusively for Chun and I’m not at liberty to produce or distribute additional copies of the DVD. You are welcome to save the images from my gallery individually for your personal viewing pleasure. As I’ve stated here and repeated on Baidu.com post, I frown on the very idea of unauthorised use of my images that have spawned across multiple sites. These images are protected by applicable Brunei and International copyright laws and Jan Shim Photography grants Chun limited use of the images. In addition to this, I have a gentleman’s agreement with Chun to protect the interest of his company.

The Photo DVD contains additional images from the Fitness Zone grand opening and were produced as a courtesy to celebrate the success of a fellow Bruneian. Chun has uploaded some on his Wretch online album and as a celebrity I’m sure he appreciates some degree of privacy beyond what the public has already seen here.

My images also appear on Chun’s blog so you know which ones are his favourites.
http://www.wretch.cc/album/show.php?i=wuchun10cool&b=16&f=1171722803.jpg&p=79

and also appearing on another Wretch album here
http://www.wretch.cc/album/album.php?id=a415022&book=56
on September 7, 2007 at 10:47 pm71 rina

I always love u Wu Chun (ferever n ever )
on September 7, 2007 at 10:47 pm72 fadz

hye 2 u;

m very curious where wu zhun got d pic shows his rings in his blog i like it very much

d photo even make the fans started to talk about rumoured
love relatinship wu zun with Ella S.H.E again
( but m not sure they really wearing d same ring or not ) but the main thing is dat ur pic really attract my attention to seek 4 ur website , luckily found it. do update ya!

good work and all d best to u.

Malaysia
on September 9, 2007 at 6:24 am73 DumDum

Hi,

I love the picture of the ring too… this was the first picture of Wu Chun that I downloaded. For some reason, I think this is a very very touching picture, so i namend this picture — 小小的手掌大大的力量 (translation: little hands possess enormous power), because it reminded me the lyrics of Hana Kimi! Although Wu Chun is super hot, I think this picture is the best that I have seen! Hee hee… maybe its because I like his inner beauty more! =P

I just have to say it once again — this is a very very very good picture!

GREAT JOB!!!! Keep it going !!!
on September 9, 2007 at 8:42 am74 Jan Shim

Hi All,

I’ve just updated the blog with images of Wu Chun at the opening day that were previously unpublished. Enjoy!
on September 9, 2007 at 10:16 pm75 Rebecca_mel

wow, so many more~~~

Thank you again for sharing with us, Jan !

MANY MANY MANY THANKS
on September 9, 2007 at 10:48 pm76 CARoLiNE

Dear Jan,

Hi! Your photo is so nice!!~

Thank you very much!!
on September 9, 2007 at 11:10 pm77 Rebecca_mel

By the way, Jan….

Hope you don’t mind…

i shared your photos with chun’s fans on

http://post.baidu.com/wuzun

Cause some of fans from mainland china can’t access to

your blog properly

And sorry to say, can we ask even more chun’s

Unpublished photos?

HAHAHA

i know we are too greedy, don’t we ?

But joking apart, thank you for all the amazing pictures….

We just love all these photos~~~
on September 12, 2007 at 9:05 pm78 Jan Shim

@ Rebecca_mel

I have good news! It seems there is a way to view this blog from mainland China via an anonymouse proxy service

http://anonymouse.org/anonwww.html

Enter janshim.com or shimworld.com in the http:// box and enjoy your visit.
on September 12, 2007 at 9:16 pm79 JOSIE

good good work!
haha
on September 12, 2007 at 9:27 pm80 Rebecca_mel

HI Jan:

Such a good news~

Finally , we can find a way to access your website and

chun’s as well, MAYBE? haha

Thanks for telling us the anonymouse proxy :p

And i’m not going to host any more images of Chun from

you , if the anonymouse proxy service does work ,hehe!

We would love to directly communicate with you here

Cheers
on September 16, 2007 at 9:32 pm81 Fay

Hey! Your new display picture is really cool!!! Hehe!

Thanks for the new adorable photos. You are AWESOME as always!! ^.^

Have a nice day!! : )
on September 20, 2007 at 1:29 pm82 OOLONG TEA: WU WHO? « A Moment Lived. A Journey Shared.

[...] like our very own Wu Chun the word Wu-Long is spelt in more ways than one can imagine—Wu-Long, Oolong or Wulong in the [...]
on September 21, 2007 at 1:39 pm83 Jan Shim

A quote from Chun’s blog http://www.wretch.cc/blog/wuchun10cool&article_id=9087748

Recently, I’ve been so busy and there are lots of new challenging jobs waiting for me… Of course, there are pros & cons too. I think the path I’ve chosen, being away from home, is so much of a challenge and it is unique. Sometimes, it’s tough having my entire time being managed by others but come to think of it now, I think it’s a good cause when I am done with what I am doing. I am sure my life experience will be very colourful one and very different from the average people… Not so much because of the attention that the job brings but more the circumstances the job made me go through… What makes Brunei a nice place is also what makes it kinda backward. And the people in general… Life’s really relaxing with very little hardships in Brunei. Thinking of what I am going through now, I have confidence that it will really help me overcome most obstacles I will face in the future. I guess what I’ve gained mentally in the showbiz will by far outweigh many people and that’s really the beauty of forcing yourself out of your comfort zone! Try it.

This quote touches on a number of personal challenges I have had to deal with when faced with these life changing opportunities years ago so I can relate and appreciate Chun’s experiences making a living abroad. Showbiz is not for everyone and Chun seems to be taking his success in stride. You hang in there bro! Every problem lies an opportunity and every success lies a great journey down memory lane. I am also confident your life experience is going to be a colourful and meaninful one to share.

A forward-thinking and future-proofing Chun touched on the social stigma that has attached to us Bruneians for the longest time I can remember. We are a relaxed society perhaps stemming from economic prosperity and political stability through nobody’s wrong doing, of course. The onus is on each of us individuals to make something of ourselves to free ourselves from dependency on others. As a professional photographer, an entrepreneur, a husband and father of two kids, where does one even begin to plan his priorities? Life is mind-boggling and as Chun puts it “forcing yourself out of your comfort zone” is the best thing to do for yourself and when done collectively as a nation, we become a stronger independent economy! There is no comfort without hardships, no success without failure, no hope without the will to try! Perhaps his last two words, simple and non-threatening as they may be, has the strongest message, “try it!”

I think it’s admirable that Chun strives to do his best and sets an example of good leadership which his devotees from the world over consider a beacon of hope, inspiration and respect.
on September 22, 2007 at 2:42 pm84 YumYum

hmm… totally agree…

Getting out of comfort zone isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes courage and hard work. By TRYING to get out of the comfort zone, you’ve already created an opportunity for yourself! Whether this opportunity will bring your forward or not, you must have learned/experienced something new from doing so. As you accumulate these experiences, you’ve already elevated to another level.
I’ve heard this from someone I admire: You don’t know when the opportunity will come, and it won’t wait for you! Therefore, you have to prep yourself now, so that you will be ready to grab the opportunity when it arrives!
Okay, I start to get off track, I should stop. But I guess, that’s the beauty of Chun’s blog — it stimulates you to think, isn’t it?
on September 22, 2007 at 3:56 pm85 Jan Shim

Now is my turn to reciprocate a “totally agree” on the part of preparation. After you leave school or university, you’re faced with many road signs but there is only direction that will and have proven to take you further and that’s PREPARATION. You hit the nail squarely on the head when you wrote

prep yourself now, so that you will be ready to grab the opportunity when it arrives!

This is now a a golden rule of mine and often an advice I give others when asked in similar capacity concerning way forward. From repeated experience of good fortune comes this formula SUCCESS = PREPARATION + OPPORTUNITY
on September 22, 2007 at 4:00 pm86 jimini

I totally agree with the views shared by Chun and yourself. When life is too comfortable, one tends to get complacent. Such blogs makes one stop to think once in a while and that can do wonders for the sleeping mind.
I love the pictures you took of Chun as it reflects more of the character than what is seen on the superficial side. I guess what charms him to his audience is the wisdom and character he exudes more than what meets the eye.

Good work!
on September 24, 2007 at 1:27 am87 Ski

Halo Jan,

It’s the first time i come here~ Nice~

Really impressed by your professional works!

For sure I will visist here more often in the future~ for your greak rreative world!

BTW, I am @ China Mainland now now. In fact, I come here without using proxy service. Maybe your blog is now open to China~

Cheer up!
on September 24, 2007 at 1:29 am88 Ski

Opps~ lots of typoes~~ Sorry about that~
on September 24, 2007 at 9:09 am89 Jan Shim

@ Ski

Hello and welcome to SHIMworld. If there’s one thing I know for sure is that we do not live in a perfect workd (see? :-)). Variety is the spice of life and visitors of SHIMworld bring a lot of variety to this growing community.

As far as I know WordPress blogs and many other American sites are still blocked but am happy you were able to visit without much fuss.
on October 3, 2007 at 11:50 pm90 FANNING THE FLAMES « A Moment Lived. A Journey Shared.

[...] China emailed to inform me they had tried in vain to contact me but proceeded to use two of my photographs of Wu Chun for their feature article (second image [...]
on October 7, 2007 at 3:08 pm91 Fonny Febrianti

Hi,

First of all i want to introduce my self.
My name is Fonny Febrianti, Im indonesian cityzen.
I like your article about Wu Zun.
Wich is im one of Wu Zun Fans.
I just want to know, Where is exactly the fitnesszone address.
‘Couse i’ve plan to work in brunei.
Beside of that reason, im member of fitness first in indonesia.
After i read bout Wu Zuns articles, probably i will join as a member in My Idol Fitness Club when i move there.

After all, i wanna say Thankyou so much for helping…
^.^
on October 7, 2007 at 4:03 pm92 Jan Shim

Hello Fonny,

It’s good to hear from a fan in Indonesia. I visited Jakarta in August 2006 as official photographer for the ASEAN 100 FORUM where I met President S.B. Yudhoyono.

Brunei welcomes you whenever you’re ready to make the trip. When you get here, just ask any of the friendly Bruneian and you’ll be greeted with “Which one?” There are two Fitness Zone outlets, the one featured here is the Kiulap Branch (pronounced Q-lup) while the other branch is at The Mall in Gadong.

It appears you may not know about Fitness Zone’s website. I believe you’ll find what you need to know and perhaps more.
on October 10, 2007 at 1:19 am93 Isabelle Neoh

Hi,

may i know is that any way for me to get copy of the dvd?
on October 10, 2007 at 4:56 am94 Jan Shim

Hello Isabelle,

I’m afraid not and an explaination given in comment 70. The DVD contains all images that you see in both the photo galleries with the exception of additional ones of the Fitness Zone facilities and Palm Garden Hotel amenities and so forth.

Thanks for visiting.
on October 10, 2007 at 12:44 pm95 Cathy

Ha !

Happy Birthday to Chun, may many wishes return of the day.

From Cathy (M’sia)
on October 19, 2007 at 1:04 pm96 Alice Huang

Hi Chun,

Is so nice to talk to someone again. At first I thought I’ll never be able to talk with u again. I’m so reliefed at this moment.

And just want to say: Thank u for the moral support for making me could do my best at school also, Happy Birthday Chun!!

I’m from California, United States, and I am fifteen, and also I go to South High School.

Ttyl, cya Chun
on November 2, 2007 at 2:30 am97 Jaslyn Kong

Jan Shim,
Seen your skills in photography. AWESOME! You’ve got those photos taken at the right time with the right angles. I am so inspired by those photos. Not just that Wu Chun is a star, but even as he did his opening of his gym just like any other ordinary entreprenur, you have captured all his expressions really well. He made a right decision to hire your services!

I like photography too.. but am amateur in shooting. Nevertheless, i like your photos. Even the ones you shot when you stayed at Singapore for awhile. I am a Singaporean and i am amazed to see the places you have shot and given me a whole new dimension and feelings.
Keep it up! And you got me all excited to do phototaking again during the hols.

Jaslyn
on November 4, 2007 at 1:01 am98 Jan Shim

Hello Jaslyn,

Thanks for visiting and for your kind comments.

There are no amateurs, only aspiring pros :). It’s my honour to inspire others to do the best they can and I hope to do some work in Singapore one day. Meanwhile take a look at the new food pictures from my recent trip.

http://shimworld.wordpress.com/2007/11/04/trip-down-culinary-lane/
on November 4, 2007 at 3:17 pm99 Jaslyn Kong

Hehe…. Thanks for the encouragement.

I am only armed with a Nikon S6 Digital Camera… No Digital XLR camera in my possession at the moment..

Will just observe the photos you took! Looking forward for more exciting shots!
on November 5, 2007 at 6:02 am100 Jan Shim

I’ll have you know that some of the photos in my posts including some fairly recent ones were shot with an IXUS 700. I won’t point out which ones

Key to taking good photos is to keep on taking them. Learn from the mistakes you make and remember, photography is highly subjective—everything is a matter of perspective!
on November 7, 2007 at 11:39 pm101 merry

hai, jan shim pertama sekali saya ingin perkenalkan diri saya nama saya SIAT HA sorry ya becouse i speack indonesia language ,saya orang indonesia ,juga hongkong but now saya di malaysia kota kinabalu,saya wuchun fans photo yang kau ambil sangat bagus i like it apa jan shim ada website wuchun fans only?.
on November 8, 2007 at 3:17 pm102 Jan Shim

@ Siat Ha

Welcome to SHIMworld and thank you for visiting. As far as I am aware, there are no official Wu Chun fans site out of Brunei Darussalam but as a fan, I’m sure you know where these other sites are that are dedicated to everything he does and stands for.
on November 8, 2007 at 5:31 pm103 Tala Jolie

I like your shot with the shoes. Remarkable.

Cheers,
Tala Jolie
on November 11, 2007 at 8:36 am104 GerL-San

AWESOME!! ..thru pictures can say a thousand words to describe..
Quality from the photographer very gud indeed..
Furthermore, Wu Chun is a photogenic..caught at the right moment of expression.. = )

Thanx for putting umpteen smiles on me..

Regards,
gErL-SaN (kiTz)
A Malay gErl ;
Wu Chun Fan from Singapore
on November 18, 2007 at 6:54 am105 destoe

HI, zun.how are you to day?you so great.i want as you.exactly, you fans the my friends.soecialy my girl friends therefore i want as you to become the great stars…thanks you become my inspirience…
on November 22, 2007 at 5:23 pm106 vanessa^.^

wen i go 2 brunei i want to go 2 fitness zone
on November 24, 2007 at 2:07 am107 syara (sui)

wo-zun’s picture are realy good and pretty cute;3
on November 25, 2007 at 11:41 am108 fadhila

only five words taht i wanna say for wu zun

I
Really
Really
Love
Him
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
on November 26, 2007 at 11:19 am109 Fifi Kusuma

I really really love this guy.. ^^
but when he came to Indonesia to promote his new film ‘Romantic Princess’ i can’t get his signature.. I just get George Hu’s signature..
but it’s okay..
but i want to see him again..
when will this guy come to Indonesia again???!!!!!!
also with his group band too..
FAHRENHEIT!!!!!!
I love them so much..
I love their song so much..
^^
if they come again, i will go to see them!!!!!!!!
on November 26, 2007 at 11:27 am110 Fifi Kusuma

I really really love this guy..
when he go to Indonesia to promote his new film ‘Romantic Princess’ i see him..^^
i’m really happy!!!!!!!
when in there, I’m thinking..
“It is a dream or not?!”
because i’m just really really like him three days before i go to see him!!!!!!!
hahaha
i’m so happy!!!!!!!!
i want him to go here again..
also with his band, FAHRENHEIT
i really really love them..
and their song too..
^^
on November 29, 2007 at 5:59 am111 Beanie

He is such a good person. He’s beautiful from the inside and out.
on December 1, 2007 at 4:43 am112 jenny

Hi Jan,

I can’t believe people are still leaving messages on this blog entry which was written back in August …. WOW!!

Anyways, those that are true fans of Chun!! You guys can go to his personal blog and leave a message for him. He actually does read it.

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/wuchun10cool

In addition, you can visit the following site for more Chun’s information.

http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=400998

Sincerely,
Jenny
on December 7, 2007 at 10:07 am113 nyeko

submit more..

again and again..
I love gado-gado very much~~
on December 7, 2007 at 10:09 am114 nyeko

btw…
what’s the relationship between you and chun??
I mean, you are … of chun??
on December 7, 2007 at 2:06 pm115 Jan Shim

Other than being photographer and celebrity, respectively, we’re just two Bruneians who live on opposite ends of the country.
on December 17, 2007 at 10:37 pm116 kai xin

ha…ha.i’m kai xin from Malaysia.Your supporters… i like ur ‘hua yang’ very much.Remember ya… i will support u 4 ever ,gambate ya…
on December 21, 2007 at 5:19 pm117 ennieliya kuza

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I LIKE YOUR SONG….. REMEMBER I WIILL SUPPORT YOU FOR EVER
on December 21, 2007 at 5:26 pm118 ennieliya kuza

SUPPORT WU CHUN 3X
on February 17, 2008 at 10:59 pm119 hirose_pinky

Hello…. wow.. really great pictures.. awesome.. but, can i get that DVD that u made.. n how? please.. reply me…
on February 24, 2008 at 6:37 pm120 Jan Shim

Hello…. wow.. really great pictures.. awesome.. but, can i get that DVD that u made.. n how? please.. reply me…

See Comments 70 and 94.
on February 29, 2008 at 9:12 am121 kamin

I am Thai. I Love Wu Chun. Welcome to Thailand.
on March 6, 2008 at 10:46 am122 COPYRIGHT. LOST IN TRANSLATION. « A Journey Lived

[...] Guide) magazine Jan—March 2008 issue where a photograph I took at the official opening of Fitness Zone in 2007 appeared on the cover (source). I contacted the Editor of the magazine and also Kiat Chun [...]
on March 13, 2008 at 11:34 pm123 Ayassub

The first time,I saw him in Hanakimi and the previous time in mail as the most popular actor who look like our Thailand actor.(But Chun is most & most good looking)

I sensed so so that time.But HANAKIMI & His smile make me …….. like anyone in this time,
I great that I ‘m not NO one in love with him.
But you are our freind.

He is most nice guy & the one in this century for smart man.

No any word to describe for him……………

Love Wu Chun .

Have a nice life time & good Health & meet the true love girl for take care of him well.

From Thailand Fan Club
on March 17, 2008 at 6:26 pm124 thaneeya

i like him so much
on March 23, 2008 at 2:27 am125 Rissa

WU CHUN IS SO buFF! hes gOt sucha sxc vOice mAnsz. Lovee him x
on March 27, 2008 at 11:56 am126 Briseis

Hi, Jan Shim. Your photographs are simply beautiful, not just photos of Wu Chun but your other work as well. There’s just no better way to put it that that.

Thank you for sharing your great work.
on March 31, 2008 at 2:19 am127 zeda

loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee chun
on April 2, 2008 at 11:12 pm128 chin tan

i love wu chun. i wish i could see him when i go around asia :p everybody at home lves him as well. i hope they make a part of hana kimi. it’s such a “ke ai” story… but the ending was (sorry to say) bad.. :p
on April 2, 2008 at 11:13 pm129 chin tan

“part 2″ of hana kimi -i mean
on April 7, 2008 at 7:34 pm130 arnel

hi
on April 8, 2008 at 5:35 pm131 carmela Ü

i love wu chun. i love hana kimi.

will there ba a hana kimi 2?

i hope there will be.

waa. i just love wu chun.

esp. in hana kimi!

i can watch hana kimi over and over. promise

and, i love the photos

thanks forever!!

keep on posting..!
on April 10, 2008 at 5:04 pm132

A Journey Lived

MOMENTS by Jan Shim

WU CHUN IN THE ZONE! UPDATED.

159 Responses to “WU CHUN IN THE ZONE! UPDATED.”