# Vanness Wu

Vanness Wu (born August 7, 1978) is a Taiwanese-American singer and actor. He was a member of the Taiwanese boyband F4 and the Korean Mandopop duo Kangta & Vanness.

## Early life

Born in Santa Monica, California, on August 7, 1978. After graduating, he moved to Taiwan to pursue a career in entertainment. He learned to breakdance as a teenager and competed in numerous dance competitions throughout the '90s and featured in the 1998 breakdancing-themed music video for Jason Nevins' remix of Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Like That".

## Career
### Early career with F4

Wu starred as Mei Zuo (美作), one of the F4 members, in the Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden and its sequel, Meteor Garden II. At the conclusion of the series, they continued to perform together and released three studio albums as the boy band F4. In 2002, Wu became the second F4 member, after Vic Chou, to release his debut solo album, Body Will Sing. The track, "I Hate Myself" is listed at number 95 on Hit Fm Taiwan's Hit Fm Annual Top 100 Singles Chart for 2002. The album was awarded as one of the "Top 10 Selling Mandarin Albums of the Year" at the 2002 IFPI Hong Kong Album Sales Awards, presented by the Hong Kong branch of IFPI.
In 2003, he performed a Mandarin Chinese rap in a version Beyoncé's single "Crazy in Love", featured on the Asian special edition of her album Dangerously in Love.
In 2004, Wu made his film debut in the Hong Kong film Star Runner and was nominated at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Newcomer.
In 2006, he collaborated with Korean singer Kangta, forming Kangta & Vanness. The duo released the album Scandal.
In 2008, Wu was announced as the opening act and special guest for Kanye West's "Glow in the Dark" concert in Shanghai. They performed the hit song “Good Life”

### Solo career success and acting career

Wu has appeared in several Taiwanese dramas as well as motion pictures. In 2009, he starred as Ren Guang Xi in Autumn's Concerto, one of the highest-rated Taiwanese idol drama. He also released his first Japanese single "Only", which entered Top 10 of the Oricon Chart, as well as another single "I Don't Wanna Lose You".
In 2010, Wu became the executive producer for the television series Year of the Rain.
Wu's third Chinese solo album C'est La V was released July 2011 under Universal Music Taiwan. It features collaborations with international artistes such as Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, as well as Bruno Mars and Justin Michael who wrote the track "Knockin".
Besides directing, producing, acting, and singing, Wu is also the creator/designer of his own jewelry line 3.V.O.7. He is also the creative director of Reebok (greater China division).
In 2012, Wu won the "Best Crossover Singer" at the 16th Chinese Global Music Charts.
In 2013, Wu joined Jiangsu TV's diving variety show Stars in Danger: The High Dive, and won the silver medal.
In January 2015, Wu was announced to be one of the judges of the talent show Asia's Got Talent, along with Indonesian-French singer Anggun, Canadian musician David Foster, and former Spice Girls member Melanie C, which aired from March to May on AXN Asia.
In July 2015, Wu returned to the Philippines after a decade of his first visit for the special show for the #LiveinLevis event sponsored by Levi's in line with the launch of the Women's Denim Collection for Fall 2015. Wu's performance was a way of thanking the brand's fans and style seekers.
In 2016, it was announced that Wu would star in his first Chinese television series The Princess Weiyoung alongside Tiffany Tang, playing the 5th century prince and then Emperor Tuoba Yu of the Northern Wei Dynasty. He was also in the science fiction film Pili Back. In the same year, he participated with his sister Melody in the third season of The Amazing Race China, based on CBS's reality program of the same name, where they were eliminated on the ninth leg and finished 4th.
In 2019. he starred in Ip Man 4: The Finale alongside Donnie Yen where he played Hartman Wu, a U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant and Bruce Lee's student.

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
| 2001 | Meteor Garden | 流星花園 | Mei Zuo | Live-action adaptation of Japanese manga Boys Over Flowers |
| 2001 | Meteor Rain | 流星雨 | Mei Zuo | Mei Zuo's chapter |
| 2001 | Peach Girl | 蜜桃女孩 | Ah Li | Live-action adaptation of Japanese manga Peach Girl |
| 2002 | Meteor Garden II | 流星花園2 | Mei Zuo | |
| 2002 | Come to My Place | 來我家吧 | JJ | Live-action adaptation of Japanese manga Uchi ni Oideyo by Hidenori Hara |
| 2004 | Say Yes Enterprise | 求婚事務所 | Song Zhenkai | Story 01: Cinderella |
| 2008 | Wish to See You Again | 這裡發現愛 | Leo | |
| 2009 | Autumn's Concerto | 下一站,幸福 | Ren Guang Xi | |
| 2010 | Year of the Rain | 那年，雨不停國 | Ah Huang's cousin | Guest star, executive producer |
| 2011 | Material Queen | 拜金女王 | Cai Jiahao | |
| 2012 | Ti Amo Chocolate | 愛上巧克力 | Fang Jiahua | |
| 2016 | The Princess Weiyoung | 锦绣未央 | Tuoba Yu | |
| 2018 | Love Won't Wait | 如果，爱 | Song Qiaozhi | |

### Film

| Year | Title | Alternate | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | Star Runner | 少年阿虎 The Kumite (Canada, USA) | Bond Cheung (Zheng Jianbang) | Film debut Nominated―Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Newcomer |
| 2005 | Dragon Squad | 猛龍 Dragon Heat (USA) | Wang Sun-ho | |
| 2006 | Cars | 汽車總動員 | Lightning McQueen | Voice-acting, Taiwanese version only. |
| 2007 | Kung Fu Fighter | 功夫無敵 | Ma Li | |
| 2008 | Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon | 三國之見龍卸甲 | Guan Xing | |
| 2009 | LaMB | | Dr. Jack Griswold | English voice-acting. |
| 2009 | Kung Fu Chefs | 功夫廚神 | Long Jianyi | |
| 2010 | The Haunting Lover | 借室還魂 | Liang Guang | |
| 2010 | 1040 Movie | | Himself | Exclusive interview. |
| 2011 | The Road Less Traveled | 樂之路 | Mike | Produced by Smash and Grab (co-founded by Vanness). |
| 2012 | Baseballove | 球愛天空 | Lin Chenghui | |
| 2013 | Machi Action | 變身 | | Cameo appearance. |
| 2014 | Girls | 閨蜜 | Sky (Jiu Tian) | |
| 2015 | Dragon Blade | 天將雄獅 | | Cameo appearance. |
| 2015 | Monk Comes Down the Mountain | 道士下山 | Cui Daorong | |
| 2016 | Lulu the Movie | 露露的电影 | Himself | Exclusive interview. |
| 2016 | Birth of the Dragon | | Sonny Lo | |
| 2017 | A-Choo | 打噴嚏 | | Alternative title: My Lover is a Superman (我的情敌是超人). |
| 2017 | Pili Back | 霹雳再现 | | |
| 2019 | Undercover Punch and Gun | | Hou Wu | |
| 2019 | Ip Man 4: The Finale | 葉問4 | Hartman Wu | |

### Variety and reality show

| Year | English title | Chinese title | Notes |
| 2013 | Stars in Danger: The High Dive | 星跳水立方 | Diving variety show Qualified into finals |
| 2015 | Asia's Got Talent | — | Judge (Season 1) |
| 2016 | The Amazing Race China 3 | 极速前进第三季 | With sister Melody |
| 2019 | Street Dance of China | 就是街舞 | Judge (Season 2) |
| 2022 | Call Me by Fire | 披荊斬棘 | Season 2 |

## Discography
### Studio album

| Album# | Title | Track List | Notes |
| 1st | Body Will Sing (身體會唱歌) Released: September 19, 2002 Label: Sony Music Taiwan Language: Mandarin Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop Countries: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan | 序曲 尋找茱麗葉 My Friend 我討厭我自己 身體會唱歌 寂寞廣場 Sick 想像十個你 那個女生 午夜場的電影 因為太愛你) Can't Help Falling in Love (by F4) | "CD + CD Extra" version also featured "Ask for More" by F4 |
| 2nd | V.DUBB Released April 20, 2007 Label: Sony Music Taiwan Language: Mandarin Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop Countries: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea | 我的王國 Never Let You Go 放手 Just One Dance Friday Night 幻想這愛 零時差 媽媽 如果 Eternity 幻想這愛 (中文混音版) [Remix Version] | Japanese release featured a Japanese version of "Wanna Love Somebody" as Track 11, plus a Japanese version of "Wanna Love Somebody (Justin Michael Remix)" as Track 12 |
| 3rd | In Between (New + Best Selection) Released July 1, 2008 Label: Sony Music Taiwan Language: Mandarin Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop | 我不是自己 Lucky Me 自己的節奏 我討厭我自己 午夜場的電影 零時差 尋找茱麗葉 我的王國 放手 想像十個你 Never Let You Go Listen to Your Heart 誰讓妳流淚 因為太愛你 媽媽 | |
| 4th | Reflections Released February 3, 2010 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: J-pop | Hyper Car Kodoku Stuck on U Reason Purple Rain I Don't Wanna Lose You Only Super Model (English) Sail Away (English) Devil (English) | First Japanese album |
| 5th | V Released April 27, 2011 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: J-pop | Break Out! Mission Why No More Tears Soldier Better Shine On (Plasmo` Electric Mix) Love Will Come | Second Japanese album Better was written by Bruno Mars |
| 6th | C'est La V Released July 15, 2011 Language: Mandarin Label: Universal Music Taiwan Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop | Intro 說愛就愛 Is This All feat. Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic Do it feat. 仔仔 命定 有你在 只要她快樂 愛的手榴彈 愛沒走 哎呀 透明愛 Knockin' | Knockin' was written and produced by Bruno Mars 有你在 was featured in TV Drama "Material Queen" Is This All was written and composed by Ryan Tedder, and was also the theme song from TV Drama "Material Queen". |
| 7th | Different Man Released June 7, 2013 Language: Mandarin Label: Universal Music Taiwan Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop | V.A.N.N.E.S.S (Intro) 趁愛打劫 愛裡面 (feat.Enik Lin) Different Man Love Overtime 讓我更愛我 真的明白 你怎麼知道 改裝 (feat.Flowsik) LOV3 小婚禮 V.A.N.N.E.S.S (Outro) | Love Overtime is a tribute to Michael Jackson and Prince |
| 8th | #MWHYB Released December 6, 2016 Language: Mandarin, English Label: Universal Music Taiwan Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop | #MWHYB: The Beginning BOOGIE IKYK (feat. 孟佳 Meng Jia) BASS GUN 屬於你和我之間的事 蹦蹦 玻璃屋 下一首情歌 愛是你愛是我 Westside (feat. brandUN) #MWHYB | |
| 9th | Vanness Best Released March 10, 2017 Language: Mandarin, English Label: Sony Music Taiwan Format: Studio album (CD) Genre: Mandopop | 尋找茱麗葉 我討厭我自己 Hip Hop Tonight (feat. 吳建豪) (by Coco Lee) 午夜場的電影 因為太愛你 My Friend 我的王國 Never Let You Go 幻想這愛 零時差 Lucky Me Listen to Your Heart 媽媽 自己的節奏 誰讓妳流淚 妳不愛我愛誰 Ask for More (by F4) | |
| 10th | Take a Ride Released July 22, 2022 Language: English Label: Virgin Music Taiwan LAS S&D Format: Studio album (CD) / Digital Genre: Mandopop | Take a Ride Mad Love Meaningless Chill Miss Us Here With Me Media (weights) Worship It's On Vibes | |

### Singles

| Single# | Title | Track List |
| 1st | Only Released May 20, 2009 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | ONLY Cinderella Hello Super Star ONLY (Instrumental) Cinderella (Instrumental) Hello Super Star (Instrumental) |
| 2nd | I Don't Wanna Lose You Released September 2, 2009 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | I Don't Wanna Lose You KODOKU It's Your Girl I Don't Wanna Lose You (Instrumental) KODOKU (Instrumental) It's Your Girl (Instrumental) |
| 3rd | Reason Released January 20, 2010 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | Reason Stuck on U Devil Reason (Instrumental) Stuck on U (Instrumental) Devil (Instrumental) |
| 4th | No More Tears Released July 21, 2010 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | No More Tears That Girl Supafly No More Tears (Instrumental) That Girl (Instrumental) Supafly (Instrumental) |
| 5th | Soldier Released September 21, 2010 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | Soldier Shine on Better Soldier (Instrumental) Shine on (Instrumental) Better (Instrumental) |
| 6th | Endless Dance Released March 7, 2012 Language: Japanese Label: Pony Canyon Format: Single (CD) Genre: J-pop | Endless Dance Every Moment Destiny Endless Dance (Instrumental) Every Moment (Instrumental) Destiny (Instrumental) |
| 7th | Summertime Love - Single Released August 31, 2018 Language: Mandarin Label: Universal Music Taiwan Format: Single (CD) Genre: Mandopop | Summertime Love |

### With Kangta and Vanness

* 2006 – Scandal – Kangta & Vanness Collaboration

### Other collaborations

* Beyoncé – "Crazy in Love" (Asian releases only) [2004]
* Coco Lee – "Hip Hop Tonight" [2006]
* Brian Joo – "Everything to Me" [2010] – 3rd Wave Music – I WILL BE THERE Album – www.3rdwavemusic.org
* Sammi Cheng – "Forgiveness" (In both English and Chinese) [2010]
* Lee Junho – "Undefeated" [2012] (M/V)
* Avicii – "Levels" (Mandarin Version) [2013]
* David Foster, Anggun and Melanie C – "Let's Groove" (charity single for the victims of Nepal earthquake) [2015]