Aska Yang

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = Aska Yang

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caption = Aska Yang performed at 42nd Golden Bell Awards ceremony in Taipei on Nov 17, 2007
chinesename =
tradchinesename = 楊宗緯
simpchinesename = 杨宗纬
pinyinchinesename = Yáng Zōng Wěi
jyutpingchinesename =
birthname = 楊宗緯
ancestry =
origin =
birthdate = birth date and age|1978|4|4
birthplace = Taoyuan, Taiwan
deathdate =
deathplace =
restingplace =
restingplacecoordinates =
othername =
occupation = Singer
genre = Pop
instrument =
voicetype = Tenor
label = HIM International Music (2007)
Warner Music (2008~ )
yearsactive = 2007–present
currentmembers =
pastmembers =
associatedact = Million Star Gang (星光幫)
spouse =
partner =
children =
parents =
influences =
influenced =
website = [http://www.iamaska.com Aska Yang's official website]
hongkongfilmwards =
goldenbauhiniaawards =
hkfcsawards =
goldenhorseawards =
goldenroosterawards =
mtvasiaawards =
goldenmelodyawards =
ntsawards =
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Aska Yang (zh-tshtw|t=楊宗緯|s=杨宗纬|hp=Yáng Zōngwěi|tp=Yáng Zong-Wěi|w=Yang Tsung-Wei), born on April 4, 1978, is a popular Taiwanese singer and a member of the Million Star Gang (星光幫).

In 2007 Aska Yang joined a TV singing competition "One Million Star" (超級星光大道), which is now one of the most popular Reality TV shows in Taiwan, equivalent to "American Idol". Aska was an early favorite to run away with the competition. His powerful and soul touching voice drew millions of music lovers and he was voted as the "Most Popular Contestant" of the first season of "One Million Star" via text messaging.

Aska’s superb popularity kept him on top of the Internet Search list and related Internet websites. He was rated Number One for 7 consecutive weeks on the Yahoo! Taiwan Most Famous Person’s rating, with a huge gap from the second place. The Aska 10 Thousand Fans Club in Yahoo! Taiwan reached the 30,000-member fan base within 3 months since it was first started in March, 2007. Aska’s blog reached 3 million visitor hits within 2 months. Aska Yang broke the record of consecutive front page appearances on Apple Daily, a popular newspaper in Taiwan with a paparazzi flavor.

Aska Yang is listed in "Taiwan Who is Who 2007-2008" and he is also ranked the 2nd place of Yahoo! Taiwan Person of the Year 2007 [cite web|url=http://tw.news.yahoo.com/article/url/d/a/071122/35/onks.html|publisher=Yahoo News|title=zh icon 2007年度十大新聞人物 第二名楊宗緯|date=2007/11/22] , the 2nd place of United Daily Star News of the Year 2007 [cite web|url=http://udn.com/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT/ENTS3/4139649.shtml|publisher=United Daily News|title=zh icon 合約戲劇化 宗緯金鐘狂飆歌|date=2007/12/15] , the 1st place of Apple Daily Person of the Year 2007 [cite web|url=http://1-apple.com.tw/apple/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Article&NewsType=twapple&Loc=TP&showdate=20071216&Sec_ID=9&Art_ID=30077650&ArtPage=1|publisher=Apple Daily|title=zh icon 2007 10大風雲人物 楊宗緯最夯|date=2007/12/16] and one of the Top Five Newcomers 2007 chosen by SinaNet [cite web|publisher=SinaNet|title=zh icon 2007年終盤點之年度五大新人--楊宗緯|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/2007-12-23/18021847351.shtml|date=2007/12/23] .

Early life

Aska Yang was born on April 4, 1978 in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He graduated from Naili Elementary School in 1990, Tzu-Chiang Junior School in 1994, and National Chungli Senior High School in 1996. During his college time at the National Changhua University of Education (NCUE), Aska attended numerous singing competitions at or out of the campus and won several championships. In 2007, he was a contestant on the show One Million Star, a singing competition that was broadcast on CTV. Later that year, he graduated from the Department of Guidance & Counseling at the National Changhua University of Education.

"One Million Star"

In season 1 of "One Million Star", Yang placed 6th. However, his participation in the contest was not without controversy. While competing in the singing contest One Million Star (超級星光大道), Yang populated his birth date as April 4, 1983 on his blog. After his continuous outstanding performances in the competition, the Internet forum discussion on his real age became heated, and the news media started to pay attention to this matter and reported it.

After the news media exposed his family member and reported his age, Yang expressed his intention of quitting the competition. The show producers attempted to retain Yang but failed. In the evening of June 6, 2007, the show held a press conference [cite web|url=http://www.bcc.com.tw/news/newsview.asp?cde=472039|publisher=BCC|title=zh icon 謊報年齡？楊宗緯請退 製作單位：參賽未有年齡上限|date=2007/6/6] , claimed that there was no age constraint for the contestants, and at the same time encouraged Yang to speak up and give an explanation about his age to the public [cite web|url=http://www.bcc.com.tw/news/newsview.asp?cde=472028|publisher= BCC|title=zh icon 《超級星光》楊宗緯謊報年齡主動退賽|date=2007/6/6] . During the taping of the show on June 10, Aska Yang acknowledged publicly his actual birth year was 1978 in front of the news media, apologized on the scene to the public, and withdrew from the competition to take responsibility for hiding his real age. [cite web|url=http://udn.com/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT/ENT1/3877025.shtml|publisher=United Daily|title=zh icon 年齡爭議困擾 楊宗緯宣布退出星光大道比賽|date=2007/6/6] He also admitted ID card photocopy forgery was his own act, and he did it to cover up the mistake he made on his age previously [cite web|url=http://www.ettoday.com/2007/06/10/10845-2109824.htm|publisher=ETtoday|title=zh icon 楊宗緯道歉　坦承謊報年齡退賽　與辛曉琪合唱「領悟」|date=2007/6/10] .

On June 16, after an open investigation [cite web|url=http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/jun/15/today-show6.htm|publisher=Liberty Times|title=zh icon 盧姿如赴中視蒐證 今傳楊宗緯偵訊|date=2007/6/15] , the prosecutor considered Yang a minor offender who showed deep regret on his misconduct. The case was completed immediately after investigation with the "ease of prosecution" and the punishment of submitting a 500 words written confession as well as a 60 hour community service [cite web|url=http://www.ettoday.com/2007/06/22/10845-2115687.htm|title=zh icon 被罰500字悔過書　楊宗緯熬8天寫出來　句句表歉意|publisher=ETtoday|date=2007/6/22] .

ong selection

*2007-01-05 One Million Star Audition in Central Taiwan
** "Happy Valentine" (情人節快樂) Lyrics: Xiao Se (小色), Music: Gary Cao (曹格), Original singer: Gary Cao (曹格)
*2007-01-12 One Million Superstar PK (part 1)
** "You and Me" (愛你等於愛自己) Lyrics:Albert Leung (林夕), Music: Wei Chen (陳偉), Original singer: Lee-Hom Wang (王力宏)
** "Always" Lyrics:Mitsunaga Ryota (光永亮太), Music: Sin, Original singer:Mitsunaga Ryota (光永亮太)
*2007-02-23 The Comeback Episode
** "When We Were Young" (我們小時候) Lyrics: Tank, Music: Tank, Original singer: Tank
*2007-03-09 One to One PK episode: The strongest survive
** "Wooden Horse" (旋木) Lyric:Yang Ming Xue (楊明學), Music: Yuan Wei Ren (袁惟仁), Original singer: Faye Wong (王菲)
*2007-03-16 The Oldies Episode
** "Goodbye My Love" (再見我的愛人) Lyrics: Wen Jun (文君), Music: Hirao Mmasaaki (平尾昌晃), Original singer: Teresa Teng (鄧麗君)
*2007-03-30 In the Same Boat episode: 16 finalist elimination duet
** "You Love Her So Much" (你那麼愛她) Lyrics: Kevin Lin (林隆璇), Music: Kevin Lin (林隆璇), Original: Kevin Lin (林隆璇), Sam Lee (李聖傑); Duet with Peter Pan (潘裕文)
*2007-04-06 Breakout Episode: 15 finalist elimination
** "Hostage" (人質) Lyrics: Lang Wan Mei (冷玩妹), Music: Huang Yun-Ren (黃韻仁), Original singer: A-Mei (張惠妹)
*2007-04-13 Big Shakedown Challenge Episode
** "Betray" (背叛) Lyrics: A Dan (阿丹), Wu Yu Kang (鄔裕康), Music: Gary Cao (曹格), Original singer: Gary Cao (曹格)
*2007-04-20 One to One PK Challenge
** "Happy Birthday to Me" (祝我生日快樂) Lyrics: Zheng Zhong Yong (鄭中庸), Music: Jay Chou (周杰倫), Original singer: Landy Weng (溫嵐)
*2007-04-27 Challenge Episode with a Professional Artist
** "Broken Heart" (讓每個人都心碎) Lyrics: Chen Jia Li (陳家麗), Music: David Wong (黃大煒), Original singer: David Wong (黃大煒)
*2007-05-04 Chance, Fate Episode: Challenge Part I
** "Superwoman" Lyrics:Xu Shi Zhen (徐世珍), Music: Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds etc., Original singer:Gary Cao (曹格) Singing duet with TM Liu (劉明峰)
*2007-05-11 Hidden Crisis Episode: Challenge Part II
** "Why Can’t It Be You" (可惜不是你) Lyrics: Lee Zhuo Xiong (李焯雄), Music: Cao Xuan Bin (曹軒賓), Original Singer: Jasmine Leong (梁靜茹)
*2007-05-18 Challenge Part III
** "You Are My Harbor" (靠岸) Lyrics: Chang Li Nian (張麗念), Lin Qiu Li (林秋離), Music: Lee zhi Qing (李志清), Original singer: Lin Yu Zhong (林宇中)
*2007-05-25 Challenger Finale Episode
** "New Endless Love" (新不了情) Lyrics: Huang Yu (黃鬱), Music: Chris Babida (鮑比達), Original singer: Wan Fang (萬芳)
*2007-06-01 Un-plugged Episode
** "I Heard That Love Had Returned" (聽說愛情回來過) Lyrics, Music: Lee Si Cong (李偲菘), Original singer: Sandy Lam (林憶蓮)
*2007-06-08　Heaven vs. Hell Episode
** "Rainy Days" (雨天) Lyrics:Xiao Han (小寒), Music: Lee WeiSong (李偉菘), Original singer: Stefanie Sun (孫燕姿)
** "Just Let Him Go" (握不住的他) Lyric: Lin Yi Feng (林怡鳳), Music: JJ Lin (林俊傑), Original singer: Xiao Xiao (蕭蕭) The judges spent 7.5 minutes in their comment of his performance in this episode which is the longest record time for the entire season. Nelson rating also reached 8.0 during Aska’s performance which was record high for this episode. Aska received the highest score in this episode and won the prize of performing the theme song "Broken Wings" (多餘) for the movie "Keeping Watch" (沉睡的青春)
*2007-06-15 Singing Duet Episode
** "You Break My Heart" (心動心痛) Lyrics: Liu Geng Hong (劉畊宏) & Chen Jian Long (陳劍龍), Music: Jay Chou (周杰倫), Original singer: Liu Geng Hong (劉畊宏) & Evonne Hsu (許慧欣); Singing duet with Ring Hsu (徐宛鈴)
*S.H.E PLAY Album Signing Event Performance Audition
** "Two Lovers" (兩隻戀人) Lyrics: Xu ShiZhen (徐世珍), Music: Gary Cao (曹格), Original singer: Gary Cao (曹格)
*2007-07-06　First Season Live Finale (Aska performed as a guest due to his early withdraw from the competition）
** "Betray" (背叛) Lyrics:A Dan (阿丹), Wu YuKong (鄔裕康), Music: Gary Cao (曹格), Original singer: Gary Cao (曹格); Singing trio with Gary Cao (曹格)，Jam Hsiao (蕭敬騰)
** "Crying" (哭了) Lyric, Music:Lee Quan (李泉), Original singer: Mavis Fan (范曉萱)
*2007-07-13 SuperStar Graduation Party
** "Understanding" (領悟) Lyrics, Music: Jonathan Lee (李宗盛), Original Singer: Winnie Hsin (辛曉琪)
** "You Are My Harbor" (靠岸) Lyrics: Chang Li Nian (張麗念) & Lin Qiu Li (林秋離), Music: Lee Zhi Qing (李志清), Original singer: Lin Yu Zhong (林宇中)

Musical career

Aska Yang and the other Top 10 finishers of "One Million Star" released their first album, "Stars Reunion", under HIM International. The album ranked number one on the G-music billboard and Five Music at the same time. Total sales of the album in Taiwan was over 200,000 copies.

After releasing a second album with Stars Reunion, Yang became involved in a contract dispute with agent Hsu An-chin. Because of the dispute, Yang only appeared in activities for public welfare and the community service as mandated by the Taipei district court. However, Aska Yang never gave up his dream as a singer and hoped he could release his personal album after resolving the contract dispute with Hsu [cite web|url=http://udn.com/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT/ENT6/4063340.shtml|publisher=United Daily|title=zh icon 合約有解 楊宗緯下月大復活|date=2007/10/22] . The contract dispute between Yang and Hsu was resolved on November 5, 2007 [cite web|url=http://www.ettoday.com/2007/11/06/340-2183116.htm|publisher=ETtoday|title=zh icon 婦援會居中協調～楊宗緯與許安進達成和解　簽訂新約！|date=2007/11/5] . The dispute was in part resolved by the mediation of the legal team from the Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation (婦女救援基金會). In appreciation, Yang committed himself to be a spokesperson for the Foundation.

Ultimately, after the dispute was resolved, Yang left HIM International for Warner Music. Aska Yang's first solo album involved the works of famous song writers including Ashin(五月天阿信), Kay Huang(黃韻玲), Michael Lin(林邁可), Matilda Tao(陶晶瑩) with songs written in diversified music styles. Aska Yang accomplished an impossible mission to have the recording of 11 songs completed within 3 weeks. The solo album was officially released on January 11, 2008.

Warner Music signed a contract with Aska Yang for 2 years with 3 albums' production. Warner Music and Aska's manager also have started planning to promote his music in the overseas and Mainland China's market. [cite web|url=http://showbiz.chinatimes.com/Chinatimes/ExteriorContent/Showbiz/Showbiz-Page/0,4434,content+110511+112007122000475,00.html|publisher=ChinaTimes|title=zh icon 楊宗緯 當上華納一哥．中國時報|date=2007/12/20] . On 17 November, 2007 Aska Yang was invited to perform at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall for the 42nd Golden Bell Awards (金鐘獎). He sang a medley of eleven classic TV drama theme songs from the past century. [cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/11/18/2003388372|publisher=Taipei Times|title=TV programs honored at the Golden Bell Awards|date=2007-11-18] On 23 November, 2007, Aska was invited as finale performer for Taipei Television Festival 2007 "Taipei Happy Star Concert" (臺北快樂星光演唱會) [cite web|url=http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/nov/24/today-show5.htm|publisher=The Liberty Times|title=zh icon 快樂星光同台尬歌 唱酬輸給楊宗緯|date=2007/11/24] .

With the huge popularity, Yang becomes the favorite among artists who received the most invitation to perform for New Year's Eve countdown concerts and the lunar year-end banquets. However, his agent only accepted 3 invitations among all. On 29 December, 2007 Aska performed on a concert with the theme of "Stars Reunions with Teachers and Classmates" (星光幫之老師同學會) in Taipei [cite web|url=http://1-apple.com.tw/apple/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Article&loc=TP&PageType=ent&sec_id=9&NewsType=twapple&showdate=20071202&art_id=30030986|title=zh icon 星光幫周年演唱會 老戰友拼場．蘋果日報|date=2007/12/02] . On 31 December, 2007, Aska sang a new song from the album which soon to be released for New Year's Eve countdown concerts in Taipei and Taoyuan [cite web|url=http://1-apple.com.tw/apple/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Article&NewsType=twapple&Loc=TP&showdate=20071214&Sec_ID=9&Art_ID=30071658|title=zh icon 楊宗緯跨年唱2場 蕭敬騰消音 TVBS-中視 使計搶人．蘋果日報|date=2007/12/14] .

Aska Yang is one of the first singers, along with 4 other members of Million Star Gang in Taiwan music industry who performed on a paid concert without personal albums released. Prior to ticket sales, Yang's fans contacted the organizer for wholesale tickets in huge demand. Therefore, the organizer had only reserved 1,700 tickets exclusive for ezPeer+ members. At 2pm sharp, 7 December, the remaining ticket were open for sales online, which attracted more than 30,000 members to rush into buying tickets at the same time. All tickets was sold out within a minute. It makes a new record that near 100,000 visits within 2 hours in ezPeer+ websitecite web|url=http://1-apple.com.tw/apple/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Article&loc=TP&PageType=ent&sec_id=9&NewsType=twapple&showdate=20071208&art_id=30051345|title=zh icon 楊宗緯演唱會1700張票 1分鐘掃光．蘋果日報|date=2007/12/08] .

Aska Yang has been on promotional tours for his solo album in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia since March, 2008.

Aska Yang will be the record holder as the first singer in the Taiwan's music history who is having his solo paid concert~ <>「星空傳奇2008」 in the Taipei Arena within 6 months of the debut of his first solo album.

For his first appearance in Beijing, China, Aska Yang attended and performed at the 8th Annual Music Chart Award as a special guest on April 9, 2008.

Humanitarian work

Voice of Taipei (Hit FM) invited 100 celebrities for a charity event. Aska Yang provided his hand-painted net cap for internet bidding, starting from one NT dollar. Yang's fans, through co-financing, won the final bid of 200,000 NT dollars. The money was given to the [http://www.childrenhome.org.tw/ "Chinese Children Home and Shelter Association"] . Thereafter, his fans contributed the bidding net cap to the [http://www.twrf.org.tw/english/home.asp "Taipei Women Rescue Foundation" (TWRF)] for a scene bid in the 20th anniversary of Appreciation Reception. The former chairman of TWRF, attorney Ying-Chi Liao, won the final bid of 300,000 NT dollars, and returned this monumental net cap back to Yang. Aska Yang then offered the cap to National Changhua University of Education for collection. With Yang and his fans' help, TWRF raised 1,290,136 NT dollars, on the day of the Anniversary Appreciation Reception.

Discography

With Stars Reunion

olo

Major concerts

Aska Yang is one of the first singers, along with 4 other members of Million Star Gang, in Taiwan's music industry who performed in a paid concert without personal albums released. Prior to ticket sales, Yang's fans contacted the organizer for wholesale tickets in huge demand. Therefore, the organizer had only reserved 1,700 tickets exclusive for ezPeer+ members. At 2pm sharp, December 7, 2008, the remaining tickets were open for sales online, which attracted more than 30,000 members to rush into buying tickets at the same time. All tickets was sold out within one minute. It makes a new record that near 100,000 visits within 2 hours in ezPeer+ website.

*2007-12-29 Taipei Million Star Gang concert （National Taiwan University Sports Center）
** "Whoever loves me, please raise up your hands" (愛我的請舉手) , "A strayed history" (流浪记) , (不自由) , "I didn't ask much" (我要的不多) , "Dove"(鴿子) , "One little Umbrella" (一隻小雨傘)

Endorsements

;Non-profit
*2007 Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation spokesman
*2007 The Magic School "Knowing the Children Witnesses of Domestic Violence" spokesman
*2008 Spokesman for the Public Traffic Safety film contest sponsored by PBS Television in conjunction with Ho-Tai automobile manufacture
*2008 Spokesman for TWRF Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation Charity movie premiere 「The life of Jasmine」

;Profit
*2007 Uni-President Cup Triathlon Championship TV advertisement
*2007 EZPeer TOGO MP4 player [http://web.ezpeer.com/event/ez1year_new/index.html ]
*2008 Pearly Gates~Japanese Golf Designer Name Brand
*2008 Spokesman for 2008 Taiwan National Intercollegiate Athletic Games

References

External links

;Official site
* [http://www.iamaska.com Aska Yang's official website]
* [http://www.wretch.cc/blog/nonodarling Aska Yang's Blog]
* [http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/artist/normal_artist.asp?id=1014 Aska Yang's introduction in Warner Music website]