A friend called late today to ask us to
google "
Youtube China Wine". We were like why-la?
Anyway we googled and clicked on the Video "
China Wine - SUN aka Geisha Official Release", and discovered that it was Sun Ho's music video with Wyclef Jean. She was dressed in a rather provocative manner with many dancers surrounding her in not much clothes. And we were like ... huh?? Is that Ho Yeow Sun?
Ho Yeow Sun is Pastor Kong Hee's wife. Ps Kong Hee has the largest church membership in Singapore, called
City Harvest Church ... with over 24,000 in attendance each week! So when we looked at the video, we were like no-lah.. its not Sun. Then as we kept watching... oh ... it is!
Immediately controversial thoughts slipped through my mind. I was like why-lah... why is she doing a song like this and dressed like that?
Watch Sun's Performance on the China Wine Video
So what do you think of the video after watching it?
I remembered reading about Sun's past achievements and also her stand as a Christian. She had several controversies before but she has always stood her ground and proclaim her faith our in the open. And I was determined to find some answers to ensure that I was right about what and why she did the video. After googling some 3-4 times, i found Sun's blog explaining the song China Wine and her explanation was what i expected.
Here are some excerpts of her own explanations of China Wine, I've provided the full links at the bottom.
About the dance and the song “China Wine” …
The dance with the head roll originated from the infamous Jamaican dancehall move called the Dutty Wine. It was Wyclef’s idea to update the move with some Oriental hand movements (as seen in the video’s dance choreography).
The Dutty Wine (which stands for "Dirty Wind") is a song by Tony Matterhorn, a dancehall artist. "Dancehall" is not a place, but a style of Jamaican music and it has also become the name for a dance move where "legs move like a butterfly, and neck and posterior simultaneously rotate". And this dance move has become very popular in the world.
My involvement resulted in the China Wine – which is the Jamaican Dutty Wine infused with some Chinese/Asian elements. So contrary to what some think, China Wine does not refer to Chinese alcohol at all! It is a Chinese variation of Dutty Wine!
My new MV features Wyclef Jean, but also Tony Matterhorn (originator of Dutty Wine) and Elephant Man (another leading dancehall artist). So it is with the endorsement of famous dancehall artists that Wyclef and myself composed China Wine, making it the legitimate successor to Dutty WineAbout pushing my personal “limits” …
I am not for “pushing the limit” just for the sake of doing so. I’ve had super revealing dresses pushed upon me by sponsors for red-carpet events and I’ve had to push them right back at the stylist! But that’s the style and culture of Hollywood. It’s all second nature to them. There’s nothing too sexy or taboo about cleavage, that’s the norm for red-carpet style! (By the way, it is true also for Hong Kong and Taiwan these days!) If anything, I’m the “weird” one over there when I have to explain to them my reservations and restrictions!
Additionally, as a new artist in the US, I’m certainly not able to list out my demands and insist on a set of extreme limits for myself, especially when their culture is so different from ours. But I’m thankful that I have a management team that has been very supportive toward me and my personal beliefs, even when this results in differing opinions with them at times. They are the experts of what would work in the US. Even then, what works for them does not necessarily always work for me! So we’ve learned to talk, communicate and accommodate one another. I’m very happy with this arrangement.
Making these two music videos has pushed my limits, especially after 5 albums where I was packaged as a much quieter artist. Not only have I been challenged to dance the best I ever had, I’ve also been challenged in my stage presence and acting skills!
About the China Wine video and my different image from my past videos …
There’s a huge fundamental difference in the tastes between the US and Chinese music markets. It wasn’t intentional for me to “break out of my old image” … it was a necessity if I am to be at all relevant to the listeners there. Honestly, I had loads of reservations during the planning for the shoot and fittings with the video stylist, Petra, who also co-designs for Gwen Stefani. The production team and my management addressed all my personal concerns as well as their own (with regards to the effectiveness of the video in the US market), and the video you see is the result of that. I personally am very proud of the video and the effort that all parties involved put into its production.
About 2 months prior to filming, I had almost daily dance practices with one of reggae-rapper Sean Paul’s principal dancers. She is also my choreographer and has become a close friend. She taught me reggae and Jamaican dance styles and I’ve had to move muscles I never knew I even had!! You cannot believe how sore I was after just my first week of grueling practices! But again, I appreciate the challenge! I may not be any expert yet, but I’m excited to learn more and to stretch myself artistically.
About comments toward China Wine – Hot or Slutty?
The micro hot-pants and what we wore in the video are really more covered than what most girls are wearing today when they go to the gym! There is really nothing so shocking about them. I was truly shocked when, for my concert in Taiwan to plug my Embrace album, my Taiwanese stylist gave me a costume with even shorter shorts and I had to get them lengthened! That was so funny …
I am neither conservative nor liberal. I am just like any other contemporary girl living in the 21st century. I love many kinds of music and I want to express myself through both heartwarming ballads as well as fast-paced dance numbers. I’m also very much into fashion, and I like to look trendy and hip. I just believe that my whole “package” as an artist – which includes my music, dancing, dressing and performances – should be relevant to the modern, sophisticated and cosmopolitan society we live in.
About my creative control over the China Wine video …
I have “100% creative control” in the sense that I wasn’t forced by anyone to do anything against my will. Wayne is one of the nicest directors I’ve ever worked with. He would share his ideas for my role in the video and ask me if I was confident to pull it off. I told myself, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the “best of the best” in the US music industry! You can be sure that I was going to give it my best shot. I mean how many people in the world even get the chance to do that?
Even though I’m a new artist there, the Americans work in an environment where we are all free to be creative. Everyone feels like a part of the team. Everyone’s ideas are valued. The entire production is only achievable because every person in the group plays their part incredibly well! For me, I was eased into the role because there was such an environment to work in. Wayne, Wyclef and my management provided me with the necessary coaches to help me pull off a very difficult and different act from what I have been used to. In the end, everyone is very proud of what we have achieved together! And everyone is very excited that the buzz around China Wine is growing day by day!
About my faith and the supposed “Buddha hand clasp” in the China Wine video …
Once again, the critics prove that they can turn nothing into something! ?
Indians and Thai people of all religions often clasp their hands in greetings. (My pastor often clasps his hands when he says hi to others!)
I am a Christian on and off stage. Whether I am a singer, counselor, dancer or actress, it doesn’t change what I believe in.
Never once did anyone on the entire production team (which included a number of Asians) ever think that any of the hand actions represent any religious movement. The dance steps were choreographed by an atheist who based her choreography on what she knew about the Asian culture. The handclasp is a familiar action in Thai, Japanese and other Asian cultures. She’s seen it in numerous non-religious Asian dance shows that she researched on specifically for the choreography of China Wine. There was absolutely nothing religious about those moves. Ha-ha, if it hadn't been mentioned it, this would never have even crossed my mind!
If you wanna read more, click on the
Part1 &
Part2 links for more details!!!!!
So after reading what Sun was trying to address, I am glad i found her blog and
that she was sharing so openly about it! I am really proud of Sun and for all
the different barriers she has broken in China and Taiwan and to reach out to
many young people!!! AND I pray that God will continue to bless and use her to
touch more lives and to reach out further - where normal believers can't. :)
Related Links
Hmmmm .... random stuff, stuff i found, cool stuff, funny stuff, lame stuff, stuff lah! ... boing boing boing!
