From The Straits Times    |

Photo: The New Paper

Many people who set eyes on Taiwanese singer and songwriter Eric Chou for the first time do a double take.

From his lanky frame to his single eyelids, he’s the spitting image of Some (2013).

The 21-year-old rising Mandopop star, who was in town on Thursday to promote his sophomore studio album What Love Has Taught Us, told The New Paper that he was aware of the uncanny resemblance to Kim.

“It’s pretty funny,” Chou said in English.

“My manager was the one who told me to watch the show (My Love From The Star).

“She said, ‘This guy looks like you and you should watch how he dresses.’

Taiwanese singer Eric Chou. Photo: The New Paper

Korean star Kim Soo Hyun. Photo: The New Paper

“I think it’s a good thing netizens feel I look like Kim because he is super famous. And that means they like my type, too!”

Chou, dubbed by Taiwanese media as “king of the lovelorn people” because of his strength in penning sad ballads such as How Have You Been and Let’s Not Be Friends In The Future, added that he was not offended by remarks insinuating that he is the “ugly version of Kim”.

“Nah, that’s fine,” he said.

“Those are probably Kim’s fans. My fans would think otherwise.”

While Chou is single in real life, he has had the opportunity to be lovey-dovey with two of Taiwan’s hottest actresses, Tiffany Hsu and Kimi Hsia, both 32, on screen.

Hsu starred in his music video for My Way To Love and Hsia in Come Out Your Way.

Chou told TNP that it was no walk in the park taking on the role of a boyfriend.

“It was kind of awkward at first,” he recalled.

“I’m a very shy guy and it was difficult to suddenly act like I’m in a romantic relationship or breaking up with a girl.

“But slowly, I’ve come to enjoy these acting experiences and, hopefully, I’ll get to act in TV series and movies soon.”

ACTING

Chou is “in discussions” to star in a drama production. If the project comes through, it will be his official acting debut.

His musical influences are diverse, from Mandopop giants Jay Chou and Wang Leehom to Western singer-songwriters like John Mayer and Ed Sheeran, and rapper Drake.

But his dream collaborators are Singaporean musicians.

“I really hope to work with JJ Lin and Tanya Chua someday,” said Chou, who recorded a cover of Charlie Puth’s One Call Away with local band The Sam Willows earlier this year.

“Musically, JJ has had a huge influence on me for several years. We don’t necessarily have to sing a duet, but if we could bounce off melody ideas and write a song together, that would be pretty cool.”

As for Chua, Chou described her songwriting as “very elegant”.

“I love the way Tanya sings, she can switch effortlessly from chest voice to falsetto and back,” he said.

“I think it’s a good thing netizens feel I look like Kim because he is super famous. And that means they like my type, too!

– Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eric Chou on his resemblance to South Korean star Kim Soo Hyun

 

The original version of this story was published in The New Paper on October 19, 2016

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