Joe Cheng and Amber Kuo in drama X Channel

As reported earlier, Joe Cheng made a surprising move from GTV to star in a SETTV web drama. It looks like they are about to extend their collaboration further. SETTV is apparently starting production on a new idol drama called “X頻道 (X Channel)”. The title might suggest it’s some kind of sci-fi or adult programming, but it is in fact the name of a news network. The series will be directed by Jiang Feng Hong, who most recently worked on Summer's Desire and is also leaving GTV.

The director is rumored to be bringing along actress Tracy Chou with him – She has been out of work for 8 months due to legal troubles with her management company. Her previous dramas include Hot Shot and Calling For Love. But Tracy Chou won't be the lead, as Amber Kuo has reportedly been cast in the role. It remains to be seen how Amber Kuo will play a news anchor with her baby-voice, or if she will even play one at all.

SETTV was said to have considered pairing Sonia Sui and James Wen again. They became a very popular on-screen couple after “The Years of Happiness and Love”. The network is apparently unhappy with Sonia Sui’s high profile relationship with boyfriend Yau Yuan Hao. They worry her casting would end up creating buzz for his FTV drama “Rookies’ Diary”, which is currently killing the SETTV produced “Ni Yada” in the same time slot. SETTV denied such claim and said it's because she was just on P.S. Man. Based on their response, X Channel will most likely replace Ni Yada, which airs on Friday nights at 10.

Before Joe Cheng was cast in the drama, the network was also rumored to have considered Show Luo and Mike He. However, GTV successfully retained their number one trendy man after offering him a “tailor-made” drama. As for Mike He, he won’t work for more than twelve hours a day, and his schedule is full for the rest of the year anyway.

Source: Libertytimes, UDN
Written by: PA @ CpopAccess.com

Amber Kuo Refuses to be on the same channel (show) as Claire Kuo

As Claire replaced Amber in the movie , some conflict seems to have risen between the two. Recently, both starlets have released albums, but there have been rumors that Amber refuses to be on the same show/channel as Claire. Whenever Amber finds out that Claire is going to be on the show, she either refuses or extends the show to avoid any awkwardness. This has formed a "if there's Claire theres no Amber" situation.

PK between singers releasing albums, Amber's sudden refusal.

CTV's Kang Xi Lai Le in early May filmed a "2009 Spring and Summer Newest Albums Contest" themed show. They invited Claire Kuo, Amber Kuo and other artists who had recently released albums to perform. The PK contest would then end with the university student audience voting on the winner. But Amber changed plans at last minute and backed out, shocking the producers. Aside from this, CTV's "Big Brother Entertainment (Zong Yi Da Ge Da)" invited Claire and Amber to film in early June, but Amber's reps decided to extend the date, rumors were because Amber didn't want to be on the same show as Claire.

New Drama to begin Filming, time is difficult to arrange.

To this, Fumou Records expresses that for Claire's new album "Singing in trees", she has been working hard doing promotions, and that if "double Kuo" are on the same show its just friendly competition, and that the rumors probably aren't true.

Amber's Warner Records have expressed that backing out of "Kang Xi Lai Le" was due to time and theme problems, and had nothing to do with Claire. As for extending "Big Brother Entertainment (Zong Yi Da Ge Da)" it's also because of time problems, as Amber's new drama is about to begin filming, and arrangements with the drama producers had to be made for the extension.

source: chinatimes.com
translation by: aznluvndpride @ http://asianfanatics.net