Twins (group)

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = Twins


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occupation = Singers, actresses
genre = Cantopop
teen pop/bubblegum pop (early records)
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label = Emperor Entertainment Group
yearsactive = 2001-2008
currentmembers = Charlene Choi (蔡卓妍)
Gillian Chung (鍾欣桐)
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website = [http://www.eegmusic.com/artists/details.aspx?CTID=c89c4103-ee23-49c5-b8e2-1a80751f9521 Twins EEG HK Official Site]
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mtvasiaawards = Favorite Artist, Hong Kong 2006
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Twins was a Hong Kong-based female Cantopop duo created in the summer of 2001 by Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG). Twins is made up of two girls, Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin and Gillian Chung Yan-Tung.Kar, Law. Bren, Frank. Hong Kong Cinema: A Cross-Cultural View. [2004] (2004). Scarecrow Press.ISBN 0810849860. pg 249.] They were a popular group in Hong Kong and a top band in China. Their fanbase included: Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, and United States. Their music had always targeted young teens, but in 2004 they begin to attract a wider audience venturing into different style of music.

Biography

Charlene Choi was born in Vancouver, Canada on November 22, 1982. Gillian Chung was born in Hong Kong on January 21, 1981. Before signing with Emperor Entertainment Group, Chung studied at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Chung had also worked as a part-time model during one of her summer vacations in Hong Kong.

Similar to Chung, Choi was also a part-time model who had appeared in several advertisements. She became famous after her participation in the television program Y2K, organised by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK).

Both Choi and Chung caught the attention of EEG manager Mani (霍汶希). In one of the episode of Be My Guest, Mani was interviewed exclusively about the discovery of the girls. She talked about how it was fate that helped her select the two singers out of a catalogue of thousands of potential young candidates. [Be My Guest, 2007 episode featuring Mani (霍汶希).] They subsequently auditioned for and later formed the duo known as "Twins".

Career

inging duo

After the pop duo was formed, Twins started their career in the summer of 2001, and was recognized for the song "明愛暗戀補習社". They initially collaborated with MSN to make personal pages and web games.EEGmusic. " [http://www.eegmusic.com/artists/details.aspx?CTID=c89c4103-ee23-49c5-b8e2-1a80751f9521&detail_type=other_info EEGmusic] ." "Other information." Retrieved on 2008-03-09.] Their first 2001 EP Twins (AVEP) went platinum in its first week of sales. During their first two years, Twins released 3 EPs and 3 albums, all of which sold very well. Most of their songs stayed at the top of many different musical charts for several weeks. Their achievements helped highlight and cement their popularity amongst other new singers.

Twins had their first concert in 2002 and three more in 2003, one of which was held in Guangzhou. Between 2001 and 2003, they received a total of 72 total awards.EEGmusic. " [http://www.eegmusic.com/artists/details.aspx?CTID=c89c4103-ee23-49c5-b8e2-1a80751f9521&detail_type=awards EEGmusic] ." "Awards." Retrieved on 2008-03-09.] This was a remarkable feat for the relatively new group at the time. By 2003, they have received a large number of awards from the four major Hong Kong media organizations of RTHK, Commercial Radio Hong Kong, Metro Radio and TVB.

At the 2006 Hong Kong Entertainment Awards ceremony Choi tearfully acknowledged that there have been criticisms of the Twins' singing abilities and that she hoped that they could better improve in the coming year.

In February 2007, they celebrated their sixth year together in the Hong Kong music industry. They released a special Sixth Anniversary New + Best Selection CD/DVD. In September of the same year, Twins embarked on a multi-city North American concert tour, with special guests Sun Boy'Z. International stops included San Francisco, Toronto, and Atlantic City.Yahoo. " [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/hkchineseconcertsinsfbayarea/message/835 Groups.yahoo.com] ." "Article." Retrieved on 2008-03-14.] It was their first time performing on a major tour across several North American cities.

In early January 2008, twins won two major awards at the 2007 Jade Solid Gold Top 10. They earned the most popular group award as well as the most popular Asia Pacific region female artist award. [Jade solid gold. " [http://tvcity.tvb.com/jsg/awards/awards_5048485516822816576188250182181.html Jade solid gold] ." "2007 additional awards." Retrieved on 2008-02-18.]

Twins' effect

When Twins started their singing careers, there were very few musical groups in Hong Kong. However, after Twins' success, other music producers realized there was a huge market for group singers. As a result, more singing groups were formed.Fact|date=July 2008

2005 Split rumours

In December 2005 a rumour mentioned the splitting of the two singers. [China Daily. " [http://www.chinadaily.net/english/doc/2005-12/03/content_500141.htm China Daily] ." "HK pop Duo Twins to split?" Retrieved on 2008-03-11.] However, they attended the May 2006 MTV Asia Awards in Thailand together. They were nominated for and won the "Hong Kong Favorite artist award". [MTV asia awards. " [http://www.mtvasiaawards.com/Singapore/html/News/winnerslist.html MTV asia awards] ." "The winners of the MTV Asia Awards 2006." Retrieved on 2008-03-14.]

2008 Split

Twins announced its "temporary" dissolution in July 2008, four months after Gillian was caught up in the Edison Chen photo scandal. Charlene said she was highly optimistic that they will reunite "some day" [cite journal|title=Twins will reunite, says Choi|author= Clara Mak|date= July 05, 2008|publisher= South China Morning Post.]

Films

Twins started out their career in the film "Summer Breeze of Love" in 2002. While they started their film careers together, and are known as a musical duo, they seldom if ever sing on screen.

Advertisements

Apart from their singing careers, Twins have also been involved in a number of advertisements. Companies covering all types of products have advertised with the pop duo with the first advertisement with "whisper" (護舒寶) in 2000. Between 2001 and 2005 they advertised more than 10 products each year. Big name companies include Nokia, Epson, Biore, Coca-Cola, LG and many more.EEGmusic. " [http://www.eegmusic.com/artists/details.aspx?CTID=c89c4103-ee23-49c5-b8e2-1a80751f9521&detail_type=advertisement EEGmusic] ." "Advertisements." Retrieved on 2008-03-09.]

Community work

The Twins have also been selected to promote several social campaigns in Hong Kong, such as summer activities for the "Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau" in July 2003.

Albums released

Film Collections

Featuring Both Charlene and Gillian:
* 2002 June 14 "Summer Breeze of Love" (這個夏天有異性)
* 2002 September 19 "Just One Look" (一碌蔗)
* 2003 June 23 "Twins Effect" (千機變)
* 2003 November 6 "The Death Curse"' (古宅心慌慌)
* 2004 January 15 "Fantasia" (鬼馬狂想曲)
* 2004 February 3 "Protege de la Rose Noire" (見習黑玫瑰)
* 2004 April 8 "Love on Rocks" (戀情告急)
* 2004 August 6 "Twins Effect II" (千機變II: 花都大戰)
* 2004 November 25 "6 AM" (大無謂)
* 2005 March 24 "House of Fury" (精武家庭)
* 2005 July 21 "Bug Me Not!" (蟲不知)
* 2007 February 15 "Twins Mission" (雙子神偷)
* 2007 September 6 "Naraka19.."(地獄第19層)

Concerts

* 2002 September 13-15 "Ichiban Amazing Show (Twins Ichiban 興奮演唱會)"
* 2003 January 18-19 "Matsunichi Twins Guangzhou Amazing Show (松日Twins廣州興奮演唱會) "
* 2003 June 25 "Tou Hao Ren Wu Chang Hao Music Concert (頭號人物唱好音樂會) "
* 2003 August 2 "Netvigator NETCash Pop-up Concert ( 網上行叱吒樂壇Pop-Up音樂會) "
* 2003 December 31 - 2004 January 4 "Matsunichi Twins 04 Concert (Twins 04 好玩演唱會)"
* 2005 June 3 "Starlight Amusement Park Concert (Australia)"
* 2006 January 4-7 "Twins Star Mobile Incomparable Concert (Twins 星Mobile 一時無兩演唱會)"
* 2006 August 18-19 "Twins Concert in Genting" Malaysia
* 2007 September 15 "Twins in Concert Cow Palace, San Francisco/Daly city
* 2007 September 18 "Twins Concert in Toronto at Casino Rama" (我們相愛6年)
* 2007 September 22-23 "Twins Sixth Anniversary World Tour 2007 [Atlantic City] (Twins 我們相愛6年 環遊世界 [大西洋城] 演唱會)"

Photo Albums

* 2001 November "Twins 1+1 Photo Album"' 96 pages
* 2001 August "Twins Love The Colorful Travel" 112 pages
* 2003 August "Twins Love Hong Kong" 112 pages

References

ee also

*Gillian Chung
*Charlene Choi
*Cantopop

External links

* [http://www.eegmusic.com/artists/details.aspx?CTID=c89c4103-ee23-49c5-b8e2-1a80751f9521 Twins EEG HK Official Site ]
* [http://www.eegchina.com.cn/data2/eeg/e3.asp Twins EEG China Official Site ]