# Star Search (Singaporean TV series) season 9

Star Search 2007 is the 9th installment of Star Search. It marked the return of the talent-search program. From May 2007, Star Search 2007 travelled to China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore in its search for new talents.

## Auditions

Eager to be the next big thing, 1,500 people flocked to the auditions. Talent cuts across geographical boundaries and, as such, there is no restriction on the number to be shortlisted for each region. The numbers are broken down this way:
| Country | No. of applicants |
| Shanghai | 200 |
| Malaysia | 300 |
| Singapore | 800 |
| Taiwan | 200 |

## Format

Two contestants will be removed from the talent quest each week, with no chance of a revival. There will be four weeks of preliminary rounds, two weeks of quarter finals; one week of semi-final and grand final each.

## Contestant information

| Index | Name | Chinese Name | Country | Date Of Elimination | Status |
| F1 | Yap Wei Chee Tracy | 叶惠慈 | Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur | 28 August 2007 | Eliminated |
| F2 | Pan Hung Hsi Celia | 潘虹熹 | Taipei, Taiwan | 4 November 2007 | 2nd Runner-up |
| F3 | Zhou Ying | 周颖 | China, Shanghai | 25 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| F4 | Pan Pei Yun Priscilla | 潘姵澐 | Singapore | 28 August 2007 | Eliminated |
| F5 | Goh Hwee Li Jeneen | 吴惠丽 | Singapore | 21 October 2007 | Eliminated |
| F6 | Lin Peiqi Angel | 林佩琪 | China, Shanghai | 11 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| F7 | Ya Hui | 雅慧 | Singapore | 4 November 2007 | Runner-up Ms Telegenic |
| F8 | Tracy Lee | 李美玲 | Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur | 21 October 2007 | Eliminated |
| F9 | Leow Yin Ning Jvnne | 廖尹宁 | Singapore | 11 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| F10 | Neo Wei Zhi Iren | 梁溦芝 | Singapore | 2 October 2007 | Eliminated |
| M1 | Chang Hao Yi | 张昊艺 | Taipei, Taiwan | 25 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| M2 | Chang Kay Yong Marcus | 张家荣 | Singapore | 4 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| M3 | Huan Kuan Chieh Reeve | 黄冠捷 | Taipei, Taiwan | 4 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| M4 | Jerry Yeo | 杨伟烈 | Singapore | 4 November 2007 | 1st Runner-up Most Popular |
| M5 | Andie Chen | 陈邦鋆 | Singapore | - | CHAMPION |
| M6 | Desmond Tan | 陈泂江 | Singapore | 4 November 2007 | Runner-up |
| M7 | Chang Hao Ying | 张昊颖 | Taipei, Taiwan | 2 October 2007 | Eliminated |
| M8 | Tan Sia Chong Jackson | 陈侠中 | Singapore | 4 November 2007 | Runner-up Mr Personality |
| M9 | Lin Kelun | 林克伦 | Singapore | 18 September 2007 | Eliminated |
| M10 | Khor Jia Young Raynard | 许嘉洋 | Malaysia, Penang | 18 September 2007 | Eliminated |

## Contestant mentors

Another new element this year is the introduction of MediaCorp artistes as mentors to the contestants. The responsibility of the artistes is to teach and they are also required to showcase the best qualities of their charges to the judges and audience.
| Mentor | Female Contestant | Male Contestant |
| Chen Hanwei | F5 吴惠丽 | M6 Desmond Tan |
| Edmund Chen | F1 叶惠慈 | M9 林克伦 |
| Huang Wenyong | F8 Tracy Lee | M8 陈侠中 |
| Rayson Tan | F4 潘姵澐 | M7 张昊颖 |
| Tay Ping Hui | F2 潘虹熹 | M4 Jerry Yeo |
| Zheng Geping | F9 廖尹宁 | M5 Andie Chen |
| Chen Liping | F7 许雅慧 | M1 张昊艺 |
| Hong Huifang | F6 林佩琪 | M3 黄冠捷 |
| Huang Biren | F3 Zhou Ying | M10 许嘉洋 |
| Ivy Lee | F10 梁溦芝 | M2 张家荣 |

## Judges

In this 9th installment, the judging panel which will be made up of professionals from the industry. Moreover, this year the judges will have a 100% say over the eventual winners.
| Judges | Description |
| 郭令送 Kok Len Shoong | 新传媒华文戏剧制作部高级副总裁 Senior Vice President (Chinese Drama Productions) |
| 郎祖筠 Liang Zhuyun | 台湾著名艺人 Acclaimed Taiwanese television/screen/stage actress-host; The 43rd Golden Horse awards judge member |
| 万梓良 Alex Man (Resigned on 25 September) | 曾经获得金马奖影帝荣衔的资深艺人 Golden Horse Best Actor Award winner and veteran Hong Kong actor |
| 张坚庭 Alfred Cheung | 香港著名的电影电视编剧、导演、制片兼演员 A Hong Kong actor/director who has been in the entertainment industry since 1980 |
| 陈子谦 Royston Tan | Singapore's very own talented director who has directed box office movie, 881. |

## Judging criteria

Retaining its original format of a large-scale talent-search program, Star Search 2007 will incorporate new elements.
Quarter Finals :
| Round | Judging Criteria | Description |
| Imaging | 25% | |
| Talent Performances | 25% | |
| Acting Skills | 50% | |
| Semi Finals |||
| Singing Dancing Imaging | 30% | |
| Q & A | 20% | Each contestant has to answer questions posted by fellow contestants' mentors. Their ability to express themselves and their wittiness will be put under test. |
| Drama | 50% | There will be two drama skits in each episode. Each Skit consist of three contestants (a mix of males and females).Several unexpected scenarios will also be planted in the drama to test the contestants’ on-the-spot reactions. Guest artistes: Dennis Chew and Quan Yi Fong. |

## Awards and prizes

| Title | Prizes |
| Champion | Trophy + $25,000 cash + $4,000 worth of products + 2-year contract |
| 1st runner-up | Trophy + $12,000 cash + $2,000 worth of products |
| 2nd runner-up | Trophy + $5,000 cash + $1,000 worth of products |
| Runners-up | Each $1,000 cash + $1,000 worth of products |
| Ms Telegenic | $5,000 worth of jewellery |
| Mr Personality | $5,000 worth of jewellery |
| Most Popular | $5,000 worth of jewellery |
Ms Telegenic and Mr Personality subsidiary awards are decided by the judges. Most Popular subsidiary award will be determined by public voting.

## Episodic details
### Episode 1 - Grand Debut (21 Aug 2007)

Gracing the occasion was Dr Balaji Sadasivan, the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts。

### Episode 2 - Preliminary Round 1 (28 Aug 2007)

20 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 5 female contestants competed in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 3 contestants moved on to Quarter Final 1.
The talent segment will be set in a club in the 1920-30s and features MediaCorp actor Adam Chen as narrator. The acting segment will also be set in the same era but will take place in a shopping street instead.
MediaCorp actress Ng Hui will play a wealthy girl out shopping with her curry-favouring maid.
As the LAST TWO ranking were not shown, F4 and F1 assumed to be the 4th and 5th position respectively.
| Index | Name | Talent Segment | Acting Segment | Overall Ranking | Status |
| F1 | Tracy Yap | Dance-cum-taekwondo piece | Curry-favouring maid | 5 | Eliminated |
| F2 | Celia Pan | Jazz performance on drums | Quick-thinking girl | 1 | IN |
| F3 | Kola Zhou | Singing Yong Yuan De Wei Xiao | Rough and uncultured salesgirl | 2 | IN |
| F4 | Priscilla Pan | Salsa dance | Inflexible salesgirl | 4 | Eliminated |
| F5 | Jeneen Goh | Play Ye Shanghai on the piano | Blur salesgirl | 3 | IN |

### Episode 3 - Preliminary Round 2 (4 Sept 2007)

* 18 contestants remained in the competition at this stage.
* 5 male contestants competed in this episode.
* 2 will be eliminated.
* 3 contestants moved on to Quarter Final 1.
Both talent segment and acting segment will be set in the 1920-30s.
MediaCorp veteran actor Liang Tian will be appearing in the talent segment. As for the acting segment, the story is featuring 5 neighbors living under one roof in a building.
MediaCorp actress Pan Lingling making a guest appearance as Jerry's shrewd wife.
| Index | Name | Talent Segment | Acting Segment | Overall Ranking | Status |
| M1 | 张昊艺 Chang Hao Yi | Dancing reggae | Mummy's boy | 1 | IN |
| M2 | 张家荣 Marcus Chang | Performing a piece on the dizi | Righteous hooligan | 5 | Eliminated |
| M3 | 黄冠捷 Reeve Huan | Singing The Music Of The Night | Cynical artist | 4 | Eliminated |
| M4 | 杨伟烈 Jerry Yeo | Singing Ai Shen De Jian | Hen-pecked husband | 3 | IN |
| M5 | 陈邦鋆 Andie Chen | Dancing hip-hop | Rich heir | 2 | IN |

### Episode 4 - Preliminary Round 3 (11 Sept 2007)

16 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 5 female contestants competed in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 3 contestants moved on to Quarter Final 2.
Both talent segment and acting segment will be set in the 1940-50s. The talent segment will feature a movie company interviewing for a movie actress with Star Search alumna Priscelia Chan making a guest appearance. The acting segment will feature 5 students going on a field trip co-starring with MediaCorp actor Zhang Wen Xiang as their teacher.
| Index | Name | Talent Segment | Acting Segment | Overall Ranking | Status |
| F6 | 林佩琪 Lin Peiqi | Tap Dancing | Kiasu Student | 4 | Eliminated |
| F7 | 雅慧 Ya Hui | Chinese Satin Dance | Calculative Student | 1 | IN |
| F8 | 李美玲 Tracy Lee | Tongue Twistering Man Tian Xing | Vain Pot Student | 2 | IN |
| F9 | 廖尹宁 Jvnne Leow | Playing a Cello | Slow Reacting Student | 5 | Eliminated |
| F10 | 梁溦芝 Iren Neo | Playing Love Story/Yankee Doodle on YangQin | Boastful Tomboy | 3 | IN |

### Episode 5 - Preliminary Round 4 (18 Sept 2007)

14 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 5 male contestants competed in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 3 contestants moved on to Quarter Final 2.
| Index | Name | Talent Segment | Acting Segment | Overall Ranking | Status |
| M6 | 陈泂江 Desmond Tan | Bartender Show | Sissy Personal Assistant | 1 | IN |
| M7 | 张昊颖 Chang Hao Ying | Locking Dance | Sarcastic Reporter | 3 | IN |
| M8 | 陈侠中 Jackson Tan | Bazil Wushu | Main Editor | 2 | IN |
| M9 | 林克伦 Lin Kelun | Singing | Timid Assistant | 5 | Eliminated |
| M10 | 许嘉洋 Raynard Khor | Play Drums | Photographer Who Demands His Ways | 4 | Eliminated |

### Episode 6 - Quarter Final 1 (25 Sept 2007)

12 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 3 male and female contestants will compete in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 4 contestants moved on to Semi Final.
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | FAQ Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment |
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | FAQ Segment | Skit | Character | Characteristics |
| F1 | Kola Zhou | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 1 | Ill fated secretary | |
| F2 | Celia Pan | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 1 | Sassy secretary | |
| F3 | Jeneen Goh | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 2 | | |
| M1 | Andie Chen | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 2 | | |
| M2 | Jerry Yeo | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 1 | | |
| M3 | Chang Hao Yi | Gei Wo Yi Ge Wen Yi Jian Ni Jiu Xiao | | 1 | | Lecherous manager |
| Index | Name | Ranking | Ranking | Ranking | Status |
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | Sing/Dance/Image + FAQ Segment | Overall | Status |
| F1 | Kola Zhou | | | 6 | |
| F2 | Celia Pan | | | 2 | |
| F3 | Jeneen Goh | | | 4 | |
| M1 | Andie Chen | | | 1 | |
| M2 | Jerry Yeo | | | 3 | |
| M3 | Chang Hao Yi | | | 5 | |

### Episode 7 - Quarter Final 2 (2 Oct 2007)

10 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 3 female and male contestants competed in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 4 contestants moved on to Semi Final.
This week, the remaining contestants will travel back time to the colourful time in the 1970s. Contestants will perform a song-and-dance item to the tunes of Beautiful Sunday and Qiao He which are hits songs back in the 1970s.
As for the acting segment, 3 contestants will act in a skit taking place at Feng Feng Cafe. Skit 1 involves contestants F6 Lee Mei Leng, M4 Chang Hao Ying and M6 Jackson Tan.
Quan Yi Fong guest-stars as the gossipy café boss Feng Jie. Skit 2
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | FAQ Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment |
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | FAQ Segment | Skit | Character | Characteristics |
| F4 | Ya Hui | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 2 | Waitress | A neurotic girl who fears ghosts and thinks she can see them |
| F5 | Iren Neo | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 2 | Ah Jiao | A charismatic nightclub singer |
| F6 | Lee Mei Leng | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 1 | Ah Ling | An innocent girl from a rich family born with a leg longer than the other |
| M4 | Chang Hao Ying | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 1 | Waiter | A young man passionate about his job |
| M5 | Desmond Tan | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 2 | Da Ge | An underworld lackey who wants to play big brother |
| M6 | Jackson Tan | Beautiful Sunday Qiao He | | 1 | Ah Zhong | A chauvinist who relies on women to support him |
| Index | Name | Ranking | Ranking | Ranking | Status |
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image Segment | Sing/Dance/Image + FAQ Segment | Overall | Status |
| F4 | Koh Yah Hwee | 1 | 3 | 1 | IN |
| F5 | Iren Neo | 3 | 4 | | Eliminated |
| F6 | Lee Mei Leng | 5 | 5 | 2 | IN |
| M4 | Chang Hao Ying | 4 | 1 | | Eliminated |
| M5 | Desmond Tan | 2 | 2 | 4 | IN |
| M6 | Jackson Tan | 6 | 6 | 3 | IN |

### Episode 9 - Semi Final ( 21 Oct 2007)

8 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 4 female and male contestants competed in this episode. 2 will be eliminated. 6 contestants moved on to Grand Final.
| Index | Name | Sing/Image Segment | Martial Arts Segment | FAQ Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment |
| Index | Name | Sing/Image Segment | Martial Arts Segment | FAQ Segment | Skit | Character | Characteristics |
| S1 | Jeneen Goh | | | | 2 | | |
| S2 | Tracy Lee | | | | 1 | | |
| S3 | Ya Hui | | | | 1 | | |
| S4 | Desmond Tan | | | | 1 | | |
| S5 | Andie Chen | | | | 2 | | |
| S6 | Celia Pan | | | | 2 | | |
| S7 | Jerry Yeo | | | | 1 | | |
| S8 | Jackson Tan | | | | 2 | | |
| Index | Name | Ranking | Ranking | Ranking | Ranking | Status |
| Index | Name | Sing/Dance/Image | Sing/Dance/Image + Martial Arts | Sing/Dance/Image + Martial Arts + FAQ | Overall | Status |
| S1 | Jeneen Goh | 3 | 5 | 5 | - | Eliminated |
| S2 | Lee Mei Leng | - | - | 6 | - | Eliminated |
| S3 | Koh Yah Hwee | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | IN |
| S4 | Desmond Tan | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | IN |
| S5 | Andie Chen | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | IN |
| S6 | Celia Pan | 5 | 6 | - | 6 | IN |
| S7 | Jerry Yeo | - | - | - | 3 | IN |
| S8 | Jackson Tan | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | IN |

### Episode 10 - Grand Final (4 Nov 2007)

6 contestants remained in the competition at this stage. 2 female and 4 male contestants competed in the final. 5 will be eliminated. 1 will be crowned the champion.
Apart from the 10 mentors Zheng Geping, Huang Wenyong, Chen Liping, Chen Hanwei, Tay Ping Hui, Huang Biren, Ivy Lee, Hong Huifang, Edmund Chen and Rayson Tan, Star Search alumni Zoe Tay, Chew Chor Meng, Ix Shen, Felicia Chin, Vivian Lai, Yao Wenlong, Florence Tan, Jeff Wang, Aileen Tan, Brandon Wong, Chen Tianwen, Dennis Chew, Patricia Mok, Bryan Wong and Kym Ng attended the Grand Final. In addition, Taiwanese band Energy made a special guest appearance.
In this critical stage of the competition, the current panel will increase to a total of 6 judges. Besides the 3 resident judges, Taiwanese artiste Lang Tzu-yun, Hong Kong director Alfred Cheung and Senior Vice President of Chinese Drama Kok Len Shoong, Hong Kong actor Kenny Bee, local artiste Fann Wong and Deputy Group CEO (TV) Chang Long Jong will also be accessing the finalists in their performances.
There will also be three subsidiary awards for the six Finalists to compete in: Ms Telegenic Award, Mr Personality Award, and Most Popular Award
| Index | Name | Imaging Segment | Special Talent Segment | Eloquence Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment | Acting Segment |
| Index | Name | Imaging Segment | Special Talent Segment | Eloquence Segment | Skit | Character | Characteristics |
| S1 | Jerry Yeo | Thai King | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 1 | Ah Wei | A talented but impecunious musician infatuated with Anna |
| S2 | Celia Pan | Empress | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 1 | Anna | A kind-hearted and gentle singer/dancer |
| S3 | Jackson Tan | Warrior | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 2 | Older Brother Yue Ren | A melancholic escaping reality because of love |
| S4 | Andie Chen | Willy Wonka | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 2 | Yue’Er | An honest man also with his own relationship problems |
| S5 | Koh Yah Hwee | Elf Princess | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 3 | Shan Shan | A very angry lady who later became a Power Ranger |
| S6 | Desmond Tan | Pirate | Finalists are outfitted in Japanese fireman style performing both individual and team challenges on a ladder. | This round will be a test of the contestants' verbal wit and spontaneity. The invigilators for this round will be MediaCorp’s variety show hosts and the finalists will only know who they are sparring with on the very night itself. | 3 | Ah Qi | A seemingly flippant young man but is actually very devoted |
| Position | Ranking | Ranking | Ranking |
| Position | Imaging Segment | Special Talent Segment | Eloquence Segment |
| Gold | Andie Chen | Jackson Tan | Andie Chen |
| Silver | Desmond Tan | Andie Chen | Desmond Tan |
| Bronze | Jackson Tan | Koh Yah Hwee | Koh Yah Hwee |
Overall Results :
| Awards | Index | Name | 姓名 |
| Champion | S4 | Andie Chen | 陈邦鋆 |
| 1st runner-up | S1 | Jerry Yeo | 杨伟烈 |
| 2nd runner-up | S2 | Celia Pan | 潘虹熹 |
| Runner-up | S3 | Jackson Tan | 陈侠中 |
| Runner-up | S5 | Koh Yah Hwee | 许雅慧 |
| Runner-up | S6 | Desmond Tan | 陈泂江 |
| Ms Telegenic | S5 | Koh Yah Hwee | 许雅慧 |
| Mr Personality | S3 | Jackson Tan | 陈侠中 |
| Most Popular | S1 | Jerry Yeo | 杨伟烈 |