Danson Tang

Danson Tang (Chinese: 唐禹哲; pinyin: Táng Yǔzhé) is a Taiwanese model, actor and singer, who started his career as a commercial model before pursuing an acting career and later singing. He was previously under management to Gala Television for his acting projects and Avex Taiwan for his music career. He is currently contracted to Eternity Entertainment Corporation (娛樂線股份有限公司) and managed by Comprise Boundless Entertainment (賢叔輯娛樂經紀).^[1]

He studied at Hsing Wu University majoring in English. Tang is able to converse in English, Mandarin Chinese and simple Cantonese due to previously working in Hong Kong.^[2]

Early life

Danson Tang was born on September 2, 1984 in Keelung, Taiwan. The youngest of a two child family, he has a sister four years older than him. At age fourteen his father suddenly died due to a work accident which left his mother to care for his sister and him alone. In order to make a living and pay for his sister's overseas education his mother had to leave home in order to find employment which left young Danson living alone at home. Occasionally relatives and neighbors would drop by to check in on him to make sure he was doing well.^[3] He has said the experience of being alone has left him hard to open up to others about his feelings.

Career

Pre-debut

Tang was discovered while working part-time at a Japanese restaurant during his college years. His career started out as a commercial model and appearing on other artistes music videos. Some of his more popular early work included appearing in two music videos for Hong Kong pop dual Twins during the height of their popularity.

Acting

After gaining recognition through his commercial work Tang was contacted by Taiwanese television station GTV for an acting management contract. After reviewing his new career endeavor with his mother he signed with GTV in 2004 to act in dramas that aired on their network. At first appearing only in minor supporting roles he eventually moved up to main cast roles when he was cast as the villain in 2005 popular idol drama KO One starring opposite Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit members. He continued his collaboration with the group and their acting management company "Comic International Productions" in idol dramas such as Hanazakarino Kimitachihe, The X-Family, They Kiss Again and Rolling Love.

Originally cast as the main lead in Mysterious Incredible Terminator, the drama production company later switched his role with Fahrenheit member Aaron Yan , which Tang ended up starring as the second male lead in Rolling Love due to Yan's leg injury. With Rolling Love subpar ratings, feeling overshadowed and under promoted by his acting management company he eventually left GTV's management in 2011 and signed with Comprise Boundless Entertainment.^[4]

After leaving GTV he continued with main supporting roles in Mainland produced dramas. In 2012 Tang landed his first leading role in a major production for newly formed Hong Kong television network HKTV, starring in the idol drama Love in Time playing a 200-year-old vampire who falls in love with a human girl. Tang who is not fluent in Cantonese, voice was dubbed over by a voice actor. However, as of current the drama remains un-aired and does not have a set schedule of when it will air due to HKTV unavailability to obtain a free television programme service licence from the Hong Kong government.

In 2013 Tang returned to Taiwan produced dramas by signing an acting contract with local cable station SETTV. His first drama with SETTV was as the second male lead in A Hint of You. The following year he was cast as the male lead in SETTV's weekly drama Fabulous 30. With strong ratings from Fabulous 30, he was once again offered a leading role by SETTV for their 2015 Friday night drama Murphy's Law of Love.

Music

On 9 July 2007, Danson is sign by Avex Taiwan^[5] and released his debut solo album Love Me (愛我) on 17 August 2007. This was followed by D's New Attraction (D新引力) in 2009 and The First Second (D1秒) in 2010. He is to release his first new song plus collection compilation album, Towards Tomorrow's Journey (開往明天的旅行) on 26 April 2011, in two versions, Guardian Edition (守護盤) and Journey Edition (啟程盤). It will contain 15 previously released tracks and three new songs, including lead track "Towards Tomorrow's Journey" (開往明天的旅行).^[6]

Personal life

Tang became close friends with Fahrenheit member Jiro Wang after many collaborations and also sharing the same birth sign. The two have said they enjoyed shopping for clothes and accessories together during their days off.

During his collaboration days with Fahrenheit he was often mistaken as a member of the band.

In 2008 Danson became an uncle when his older sister gave birth to a daughter named Maiya. Tang has said he often spoils his niece by buying items for her.^[7]

Filmography

Television series

Movies

Discography

Studio

Compilation

Soundtrack contributions

Music videos appearances

*Self MV's

*Other artistes MV's

Books

• December 4, 2007: Danson Tang Photo Novel Tang Yu Zhe Ying Zi Shu (唐禹哲影字書) - ISBN 978-986-124-976-6^[8]
• April 15, 2008: Danson Tang Photo and Writing Collection (D調型男：唐禹哲寫真文字集) - ISBN 978-957-803-689-5^[9]
• December 8, 2010: DisPLAY DANSON TANG (曝光唐禹哲) - ISBN 978-986-6175-12-1^[10]
• March 21, 2012: In the Land of the Sacred and Love Danson Tang(在那神聖與愛的國度 唐禹哲) - ISBN 978-986-6175-65-7^[11]

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Danson Tang.

• (Chinese) Danson Tang@Avex Taiwan official homepage
• (Chinese) Danson Tang discography@Avex Taiwan
• (Chinese) Comprise Boundless Entertainment blog
• (Chinese) Danson's Sina blog
• (Chinese) Danson Tang Facebook page
• (Chinese) Danson Tang Weibo page
• (Chinese) Danson Tang Instagram page