Angelababy gets a bum rap
Angelababy’s (
杨颖) new picture book is selling like hot cakes but she’s facing a crackdown by the authorities.
Paradise (US$34.39), which was shot in Guam and features the Hong Kong model showing off her considerable assets, is officially released on Wednesday, but has already received 30,000 orders, according to its publishers.
Like other “soft models” (嫩模), her book and presence has been banned from the Hong Kong Book Fair over fears that it was turning into a bit of a porn zone.
Soft model, soft pose
China is in the middle of a three-month crackdown on porn, prostitution and soft (porn) models – all lumped together as “vulgarity.”
The HK Trade Development Council (TDC) was said to be embarrassed after last year’s near naked displays from the soft models, who typically handed out kisses and hugs to help sell their photo books.
The Book Fair, which starts on Thursday and runs until July 27 attracted 900,000 people last year and will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
Organizers said more than 12 applications from models like Angelababy and Chrissie Chau (周秀娜) have been rejected because they are “tasteless.”
Bejamin Chau (no relation to Chrissie, presumably) was quoted as saying: “The fair should promote healthy reading habits and should be suitable for people of all ages.”
While some models have challenged the ban, Angelababy will switch her promotional efforts to Harbour city, where she will autograph her book for fans.
She has tried to distance herself from other soft models by claiming she is not that type of girl.
“I just can’t help feeling frustrated. I don’t want to be labeled as part of an unhealthy phenomenon” — Angelababy
“I just can’t help feeling frustrated. I don’t want to be labeled as part of an unhealthy phenomenon,” she was quoted as saying.
Her manager, Kim Chow, added: “If the TDC considers Baby to be someone who is taking modeling down an unhealthy path – well, I cannot but take issue with that.
“When people in countries with a lot of tradition and culture behind them, like Japan, put so much store by her, why is the TDC not taking her seriously? They are really ignorant.”
Soft models are also known as “pseudo models” or liangmo (靚模) in Hong Kong, where the phenomenon erupted.
Soft model Debby Tsang’s (曾丽仪) “Fake Rape” promotional video, in which she was “stripped” of her white T-shirt by a pervert on the street, was heavily criticized for crossing the line.
Seasoned actor Anthony Wong (黄秋生) launched a tremendous tirade against such “sick showbiz stunts.”
He said Debby and her agency tarnished the image of HK showbiz circles.
Baidu Wiki defines soft models as young, inexperienced or tender young ladies who have not received formal training and are generally 10 cm shorter than the average catwalk model.
The term originally described less well known models who were willing to show more flesh, especially breasts, in an attempt to get noticed and typically did adverts for online games.
It has now become a derogatory term.
Zhainan (宅男), known in Japan as otaku, or geeks, comprise the main fan base for soft models.
Sources: The Standard
http://baike.baidu.com/view/2690560.htm?fr=ala0_1_1
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- “Fake rape” vid sick promotion
- Angelababy before … and after
- Andy Wong’s coming out party
- HK studs end up as `care bags’
Angelababy
Angelababy
Soft model, soft pose
Soft model, soft porn, what’s the difference?
I think HK is becoming too influenced by mainland. Wot happened to “one country, two systems” I ask you?
wot’s wrong with bueautiful wimmin showing there bueautiful sleves to the world. wake up and smelll the roses peple!!!