teens Nov 2003

Perfect Man?   Daniel Chan takes time out from plugging new album Perfect Love for a quick chat on songwriting and scary screen encounters on the set of A Chinese Ghost Story. I't easy to mistake HK popster Daniel Chan for being way younger than his actual 28 years. Clad in simple jeans-and-tee combo, leafing through a stack of music sheets, and with giant earphones stuck on both sides of his head, he cold pass off for the regular music-phile in HMV any day. But apparently, that's as far as the laidback image goes. When concerned, as we heard, the usually reticent star has pounced on unsuspecting reporters and chastised them for their lack of imaginative questions. In fact, he's been lablled by tongue-waggers as one of the industry's most difficult interviewees. Yet when "Dong Dong" - as he's more affectionately known to his fans - wants to please, he;s an endearing chap. At the teens interview, he is humble and matter-of-fact about his achievements, thanks to his family and fans profusely for the support he's received, remembers fondly of Barbie Hsu (with whom he co-starred in A Chinese Ghost Story) and even howls in laughter over the thought of being a woman. teens: You wrote three songs on your new album Perfect Love. Are you trying to carve out an alternative career? Daniel Chan: No. I've been writing songs since my second album. But I felt there wasn't any need to promote myself as a songwriter, because it's not a particularly special talent. So I've never drawn any attention to my works. I go easy on my songwriting because I'm first and foremost a singer. I may have written three songs on this album, but who knows, maybe none will make it to the next release. What's the toughest part about songwriting? When I can't think of a nice melody! My inspiration comes from the events that happen around me. I'm the sort that writes only when there's inspiration, although my record label insists I finish a song within half a month! So no, I don't meet the deadline every time. Which is you favourite composition among the three then? "Kissing You, Loving You". I'm a very romantic guy, and I think it conveys my idea of romance very well. Perfect Love also includes the theme song of TV serial A Chinese Ghost Story, which was first sung by the late Leslie Cheung. Many people say you sound eerily like him. Really? I think it's because the musical style required a certain type of delivery. I'm not afraid of being compared to Leslie because I think it's natural. In fact, I'm prepared for it. I sang it based on my understanding of Ning Cai Chen, the role I was playing. Some of the lyrics, such as "life is a continuation from our dreams..." were very touching. It made the song very special to me. While we're on your screen character, what do you admire about him? I think Cai Chen is very humble, and I admit I'm nowhere near that. I'm not haghty either. I ike his sense of righteousness and devotion to love. If I were to meet the right girl, I want to be just as devoted. Your relationship with Cecilia Cheung was all over papers. Next time you get attached, will choose to keep mum about it or declare it to the world? I won't intentionally highlight my relationship. But if I were going out with a girl, I won't deny it too. I haven't been dating, yet the media has apparently 'caught' me out with a female. I'm irritated because they are forcing me to admit to something that's totally untrue. That won't stop me from dating, though. Ok, back to A Chinese Ghost Story. You star opposite Barbie Hsu (Meteor Garde), who's considered the weirdest female celeb in Mandopop. What's she really like? I don't think Barbie is 'weird' at all. She's just like any normal girl! Any memorable incidents during the filming? Yes. There was this scene where Barbie and I had to kiss underwater so everyone squeezed into the tub with both of us. Halfway, I suddenly saw a slipper floating by! It belonged to one of the cameramen!It was so disgusting! Of course I had to protest, and ended up geting a couple of NGs (no good takes). I had to grit my teeth and finish it. Barbie thinks you're a cool guy. (Laughs) I'm quite satisfied with my looks and my skin. I'm quite compassionate too. But I do have my vices too. What are my vices? I'm not saying! You started way before the likes of Edison Chen and Nicholas Tse, but they seemed to have stolen the thunder from you. I'm not disappointed. To be a good artist, you need to produce good music. I've been in this business for a couple of years, and hogging the headlines doesn't matter to me anymore. I've been there, done that. I've received so musch throughout my career and I'm really enjoying whatever I've established. It's easy to be in the news - all I have to do is impersonate a wpman and walk on the streets, or I can start a fight in apublic place but this is really useless tabloid tattle. So, if you could be a woman for a day, the first thing you'd do is... Take off my clothes and look at my figure! I'm sure I won't look very bad! (Chuckles). Perfect Love is available in stores.