Discussion Topic:
Do you think there is a need for our culture to make our own super stars whom we are proud of and can identify with?
Some reminders from Vinia:
There is a constant need to create a cultural super star in nearly every society. As demonstrated in the class discussions, the architect and poetess Huei-yin Lin (1904-1955) is gaining more and more popularity half a century after her death as a fore-runner in the fields of cultural legacy preservation, designing industry, and creative writing.
In western Europe and North America, the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci and the Dutch master Vincent van Gogh have secured their iconic positions in western civilization. Through international exhibitions, their works are displayed in front of the eyes of global audiences and new films on their lives and works are made and screened worldwide, including Taiwan.
We see the need to create a Chinese cultural star in Ms. Lin's case, and we also experience the western cultural (over)flows that take our breaths (as well as our money) away. Now, let's take a good look at the situation in Taiwan. Have any efforts been take to promote this cultural identification?
The following figures are portrayed in the TV/DVD series entitled "Portraits Taiwan 台灣人物誌," produced in a joint venture between the Government Information Office, Republic of China, and Discovery Networks Asian (2005-2006).
Dr. Henry Lee is an internally recognized forensic scientist, who has made tremendous contributions to criminal investigation, law enforcement, forensic sciences and education worldwide.
Mr. Hwai Min Lin is a renowned Taiwanese choreographer, who founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. He has developed a unique dancing style basing on the spirits of tradtional chinese arts, such as brush works and Tai-chi. With his creative vigors, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre has toured the world many times and has long won international recognition. Mr. Lin was celebrated by the Time magazine as one of "Asia's Heroes" in 2005.
Mr. Wun Yu Chen is "Taiwan's watermelon king," for he leads the world's largest watermelon seed supplying company "Know-You" and cultivates the best breeds of fruits for farmers all around the world. 
Mr. King Liu is the founder and CEO of Giant, the world's leading brand in bicycle making. Mr. Liu has input tremendous research efforts into the exploration of new materials and new technology of producing the world's best bicycles.
Dharma Master Cheng Yen founded the Tzu Chi Foundation for disaster relief missions worldwide. For her unfailing huministic care for people worldwise, she was awarded Eisenhower Medallion and later was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In a magazine poll conducted island wide, Master Cheng Yen was ranked at the top as the most beautiful person in Taiwan. In addition to this series, there is another DVD collection entitled "A World for Chinese 華人縱橫天下, " which features 108 people with Chinese cultural heritage from various professional fields worldwide.
Do you have a particular person in your mind that can be acclaimed as our cultural super hero?
Do you have Mr. Jay Chou in mind?
Oh! Definitely! We should learn to appreciate our own culture and make it shine!
ReplyDeleteWe are English majors, and we should expose ourselves to the cultureal elites of the western world. We are from our own culture, and there is no urgent need to understand it. We should concentrate on understanding western culture. This is enough for us now!
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need someone to make us be proud of our own culture and country. Every country has its own culture to represent itself.
ReplyDeleteI think Ang Lee can be our cultural star not just because he filmed Brokeback Mountain but also he filmed other movies which can represent our culture; for example, Eat Drink Man Woman, The Wedding Banquet, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. His movies can touch people around the world by showing our culture and spirit.
96540328 Erita
yes, i do agree that we should have our own cultural super stars! not just the ancient chinese ones like 孔子,國父 etc., but the modern taiwanese whom we can more identify with. most importantly, we need our cultural stars in order to share the essence and virtue with the rest of the world! we need stars that we can discuss and introduce proudly to others!
ReplyDeleteI think it is nessary to have our own cultural super star! A small country like Taiwan which is hardly to find in the world map, we do need a super star that can reprsent us! Take former pitcher of Yankee 王建民 for example, without him I think there are still many foreigner have no idea about what is Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteThere is a need for every culture to make their own super stars. I think Jason Wu(吳季剛） can be acclaimed as our culture super hero. First Lady Michelle Obama wore the dress that Wu designed which made him become famous all over the world. It's not just because he is very lucky, it's because he works really hard to make his dream come true. I think that from every culture stars, we can learn something from them. That's why we need some one to set a good example for us. 96540317 Jocelyn Chen
ReplyDeleteI think the answer is Yes. We definitely need a star, a goal to learn from. And I think 林志玲 can be one of the stars. She has not only beauty but wisdom. Her elegance and confidence makes her like an angel but she's not arrogant at all. Instead,she's humble. Her attitude will be a great model that people can learn from
ReplyDeleteAnn 96540344
Sure, we definitely need our own star. Like 王建民、詹詠然, the shining sports stars and李安, the sparkling director, are all representatives of our cultural heroes; they represent us Taiwanese at the world’s stage. They are all our role models. Their persistence and attitudes towards life can stir up the citizens’ minds as to keep going, doing something for our own country.
ReplyDeleteJocelyn 96872304
When it comes to our cultural super heros, 林義傑(Kevin Lin) must be one of them. Kevin and his partners are the first modern runners to cross the Sahara desert. Not only the would was touched by his persistence but also can know more about Taiwan spirit.
ReplyDelete96540325 Angela Chen
no matter what a person would be, the most important thing is to discover oneself first and then the world and in turn help the others by his own abilities and experiences. that's what I'm convinced to be a valuable person i will be proud of and identify with.
ReplyDeleteby Eric
Mr. Jay Chou, an incredible man, in one of super stars that I am prond of. He let many people know more about Taiwan. In his CD, there is also lots of elements that show our culture. Since I was a junior high school student, I know him and like him. I love his voice, and also he insist that he can acheve everything by making great efforts. I appreciate this trait of his personity. Hope I can be another Jay some day.
ReplyDeletesorry agian, I forgot to post my name, 96540324 Erin.
ReplyDeleteI'm 96540310 Lester. i definite agree that we should set up a figure to represent our own culture. in order to let other cultures to recogize us, it's a must
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need the hero who can truly convey and promote Taiwanese culture. The one should understand Taiwanese situation; on the other hand, the one should be the person who care for and help Taiwanese people.
ReplyDeleteThe first person pops up in my mind is 鄧麗君, she uses her voices and songs comfort and accompany Taiwanese people. She got the title of patriotic singer, since she sang the national song in several places, such as Japan, and Hong Kong.
96540327 Daisy
I think that we not only have to make our own star for our culture, but also have to explore our horizons. Setting up our national position is a best way to let people notice Taiwan on the earth; however, if we cannot improve or promote our (citizen’s) global/national knowledge, we would be ridiculed by the world.
ReplyDelete96540307 Millia
Yes, I think it’s necessary for us to make our own super stars that we are proud of and can identify with. The first one came to me is Ang Lee. I believe that you must hear of him before, and you must have watched his movies. He is a director who is the first Chinese in the western movie world. What’s more, his masterpieces are famous, such as Brokeback Mountain, Lust Caution and so on. I think that most foreigners can know about us by him, and I think I was proud of him because of him.
ReplyDelete96540319 Emily
Definitely! If we can make our own stars, they will become repesentative of Taiwan. Taiwan can be seen by the world. I think Dharma Master Cheng Yen is so great. She impact all the world, generously giveing her love to the needy. The selfless love is so precious. She also founded oversea foundation to help more people. She is a representative star of Taiwan.
ReplyDelete96540331 Josie
96540313 Joy Chuang
ReplyDeleteI think we do have the need to make our own culture super stars. Having culture super stars can also make our own country shine in the world. Take Tzu Chi as an example, this organization was founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Tzu Chi’s institutions are spread worldwide. Most of the time, when disasters happened, they were always there to help people. In some developing countries, they also do charity work for those people who have difficulties in living. What’s more, personally, I don’t like Mr. Jay Chou. I can’t deny his talent of composing songs or skills in singing. Unfortunately, his style is not my type.
Of course we need a super star for our own cultural to identify with. I especially respect Dharma Master Cheng Yen. She did take actions to help others, spreading the charities to the world, letting many people get assistance when they face the dilemma. She became a good example for us to follow, and we need more super stars like her whom we are proud of and can identify with.
ReplyDelete96540315 Betty
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOf course we need to make our own super stars. We are a global country, so we can know other countries' information easily. But, how can we make other know more about Taiwan and even want to come to Taiwan to give life to our tour industry. What is the fastest way to do? We can use our singers or movie stars or even our soap operas to promote our own culture, because it is the easy way to let world know about Taiwan. We now can saw korea soap operas, japan's, america's...etc; so, they can see our too.
ReplyDelete96540334 Paula
I think it is necessary to make our own super stars! In my way of defining super stars, it is not like singers, actors, and so on we have seen on TVs. A super star should be a role model from whom we can learn many things. Also, a super star of our own country or of our own culture helps gain the attention to Taiwan from other foreign countries. Through superstars of our own, others as well as local Taiwanese people could better understand our culture. Moreover, all these superstars represent our culture and devote themselves in cultivate the distinct identity of Taiwan.
ReplyDelete96540345 Angela, Hu
Yes, we do need our own super stars to gain more identities and good impressions from the whole world. Take Jay Chou as an example, he uses his talents in music to attract a lot of fans from any other countries. Many foreigners might know more about Taiwan because of him. The most important is that all his songs are sung in Chinese, and it could gain more identities in Chinese culture. Hence, super stars could benefit their own country in terms of economical and cultural sides.
ReplyDeleteby 96540321 Julia
I think every culture does need super stars. What we so called super stars are always role models for public. People imitate what they wear and what they do. They have certain power to influence people. Sometimes, they might bring positive effect to public. If there is no such a super star shining in a culture, there will be no powerful model for public to learn from.
ReplyDeleteI think Cheng-ming Wang can be acclaimed as our cultural super hero. Taiwanese people always say that baseball is our “National ball.” However, it is very rare that Taiwanese baseball players have chance to step into the Major League. Cheng-ming Wang is the first player staying for such a long time and getting many impressive victories in Major League. Not only baseball fans but also people who don’t watch baseball game admire him very much. His success in MLB is Taiwanese people’s pride. Because of him, more and more foreigners know where Taiwan is. Taiwan gains much fame because of Cheng ming Wang. Of course he is our super hero.
96540329 Sharon
It is a must for we to have or cultivate our own cultural superstars or heroes. By having culture superstars, not only can foreigners better learn and understand our culture but we, Taiwanese people, can also strengthen our own sense of community and be proud of our own culture more instead of always worshiping others. The super hero in my heart will be the same with Sharon's that's Wang Cheng-ming. The reason why i choose him is because i think he is very brave and he never seem to give up. He is also without doubt the very first person who gets the chance to step into the international market for such a long time and be loved by people from all over the world. As a famous baseball player, he is still very humble and conscientious. He is a cultural superhero not only because he brought more international attention or awareness of our country, Taiwan, it is also his humbleness and hardworking personality that make he the hero of the era. Thus, as a Taiwanese, everybody likes he and praise him.
ReplyDeleteBy Eva 95540460
For sure, a super star conveying the Taiwanese characters is desperately needed, yet it’s hard to choose one particular person from all those prominent celebrities to present our Taiwanese culture.
ReplyDeletePersonally, perhaps Ang Lee could be the icon, for his eminent views to Taiwanese culture and unique way in filming. No matter Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Lust, Caution or Brokeback Mountain, all these outstanding movies delicately present human’s emotional switches and motional attachments to other characters. Especially in Lust, Caution, I think he successfully directs the film in which the emotion flow is implicit while impressed. The way he tells the Chinese romantic story is the best I’ve ever seen!
By 96540333 Jennifer
Yes, I think there is a need for our culture to make our own super stars that we are proud of. Every culture must have their own proud super stars there in the world. Those people are not only representatives but also heroes in culture and history.
ReplyDeleteThere are many super heroes here in Taiwan’s culture such as Ang Lee, Cheng-Ming Wang, etc. They have their own talent and competence and work hard in their field. They represent the spirit of Taiwan, and people are very proud of them.
96540323 Gladys
There's no doubt that we definitely need cultural super stars especially here in Taiwan, you know, though it's controversial, I still have to say that we really need to stand out among other countries since we have been repressed on the international stage for so long.
ReplyDeleteWhen seeing Daisy's comment, I'm so excited! Teresa Tang is also one of my idols. She is famous not only for her classic songs, but also her tenderness and kindness which are the classic characteristics of a traditional Chinese woman. I'm really sorry for her death in her meridian. If she were still alive, she could be a "國寶" just like Uncle Mao.
As for Mr. Jay, I have to agree with what Joy has mentioned. I don't appreciate him so much, sorry though.
By Jimmy 96540340
I thing there is a need for our culture to make our own super stars whom we can be proud of. Because Taiwan is a multicultural society, there are plenty of cultures around Taiwan. Those cultures are so important and precious that we need to preserve them carefully. Therefore, we can collect information of different cultures and select super stars of diverse cultures in order to understand every different culture completely. Moreover, people can learn advantages from those super stars. Every culture has its own spirit and regulation, and through these videos, people can receive lots of benefits.
ReplyDeletecomment by Frank 96540314
Our own super stars can represent us and our country. With those our own culture super stars, Taiwan can shine in the world. Therefore, I have three supper stars in my mind. I think every country has their own culture and they are pound of it. Even someone can make us be pound of our own country and culture because they can appreciate our counter and make it shine. 96540305 Cherry
ReplyDeleteYes, each country’s culture needs to make their super stars. It is not only because it helps other countries to recognize your country and understand your culture through those super stars works but also their arts will stay and teach coming generation about their own culture.
ReplyDeleteI think Yang Mao-lin is one of those Taiwanese artists that can be accepting as a cultural super hero.
Kezhan 96540350
Yes, I think it’s necessary for a society to have culture super stars. We have many in different fields. In my perception, I think the best representative that stands for our generation goes to “Jay Chou”. Although being criticized for lacking clarity when singing, I think his compositions are quite good. Moreover, his perfect collaboration with 方文山 in music making is really something. They put some Taiwan cultural element in music. Take an impressive and controversial song “Dad, I’m home爸，我回來了!” for example, it discloses some of youngsters heart-feelings. In “青花瓷”, it beautifully present us an absolute ancient China atmosphere which made it later be elected as one of the Olympic songs in 2008. Besides from music, his special expressing way and the dressing tastes also deeply influence our generations.
ReplyDelete95540333 Katie
i think the idea of making our own people as the cultural hero is great, but i don't have a particular person in mind at the moment. however, i do think that the person needs to possess a humane quality and wisdom, and this person must be someone who is willing to sacrifice everything for the good/benefits of the entire society.
ReplyDelete96540451 Michelle
Yes! We really need a local star because in this way, the other countries would recognize Taiwan. to tell the truth, I don't have any hero in my mind. But, take Jolin for example, almost every foreigner know her well. She try hard to learn different things for the audiences and make progress step by step. And she make a good impression for the other countries. In this way, Twiwan can bulid a good image as well.
ReplyDelete96540348-Alexa
Yes, every countries or cultures should have their own hero. It is a way to call the citizen's unification and the power of patriotism and nationalism.
ReplyDeleteBy having our own hero, we have reach a common consensus.
For me, the Taiwanese heroes i have in mind are the contestants who participated in the world competition. No matter they have brought back medals or not, the time they have devoted for trying to win for Taiwan already earned them the medal of Honnor.
by Anita 95540458
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ReplyDeleteI think Taiwan should have some super stars. Therefore, the foreigners would know Taiwan much better. In my opinion, the appearence of the super stars would attract foreginers who admire them to understand Taiwan much better. Chang-Ming Wang is a good example. After he successfully became one of the baseball players in Major League more and more foreginers recognize Taiwan. Because of him, Taiwan becomes much more famous than before.
ReplyDeleteby Amy 96540339
I think there is a need for us to create a culture super star. If we have a culture super star, we can appreciate him and follow his spirits that can lead us. We won't got lost if we have someone to follow. We won't feel helpless if we have someone whose words can appease our souls.
ReplyDelete95540450 Annie Chang
There is indeed a need for our culture to make our own super stars. If we want to be recognized as a country or a unique culture by more people, we should have someone who has very peculiar skills. Lee Ann, I think, is one of the most successful Chinese people around the world. In my opinion, people whose job is related to entertainment are more likely to attract other people’s attention. In other fields, people will not always be interested. However, everyone needs entertainment. I am not saying that people in other fields won’t attract others’ attention. I think entertainment is more like a pathway. It will help one person become popular and famous quickly and easily.
ReplyDelete96540306 Alan
Yes, I agree with that, we need to have so many cultural stars. I believe that they can make our country to be more famous and shined. For example, 李遠哲，who has got Nobel prize and 王建民 who has played in MLB is so famous all over the world. Because of them, Taiwan is well-known not only in science and technology, but in sport and academia. 96540304 Steven 四英三
ReplyDeletea super star is definitely more recognizable than the politicians or scientists. like Rain in Korea, Kimura in Japan, Yankees Wang in Taiwan. They can bring not only fame but profits to their nation. A nation is well-known because of their SuperStar.
ReplyDelete95540326 Gary
Yes I believe every nation need to have their own super heroes whose great characteristics and contributions can be seen as role models for their next generations, and can identify or represent their cultural and social values to the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI think since 林懷民 led a revolutionary in Chinese dancing style, he can be acclaimed as one of Taiwanese cultural super hero.
Bahyan 96540352
96540342 Grace
ReplyDeleteWe all want to be special from the crowd,and I do believe that there is a need for us to make our own Taiwanese superstars,no matter in what field. We need to make other countries remember our great creation and excellent ideas on many things. Taiwan has its own unique culture and factors, so I think it won't be too hard for us to make Taiwan stand out among the world.
I think it a need for our culture to make our own super stars. If we have our own super stars, they present our Taiwan image. Those figures will become the identification of Taiwan. They can introduce Taiwan to people around the world. When it comes to those figures, people will think of Taiwan.
ReplyDelete96540326 Ronne
Of course! There is a need for our culture to make our own super stars. In any different fields, there is always someone who is outstanding. Our own super stars can show their talents or knowledge background to the whole world. Cheng-Ming Wang is a good example! Because of those super stars' success, foreigners can know more about Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteIt is indispensible that every culture should have their own cultural super star. Certain cultural super star presents different cultural heritage that can be compared to other ones who are in the different cultures. By having our own cultural super star, we gain our own identity that only belongs to us. It is like a signature or identification for every culture. And they are registered when the cultural super star is born. To me, the cultural super hero belongs to the Taiwanese designer 吳季剛 whose design was approved by the America’s first lady. I think he not only serves as the role model especially for the Taiwanese designer but make the Taiwanese gradually being recognized by the world in that it is such a great honor to be recognized by the America’s first lady. And people around the world will realize that although Taiwan is such a tiny country on the map and somewhat trivial in the role among all nations in the world, it is still powerful and can trigger great influence toward it.
ReplyDelete四英四 95540456 Charlene
Of course, there is needed for our culture to make our own super stars that we are proud of and can identify with. The reason why I think it is needed is not only because they can represent Taiwan but also they can be our models. I think every field should have our own super stars. With them, we can promote Taiwan to the international.
ReplyDelete96540335 Cindy
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ReplyDeleteOf course, there is such a need. If we have our own super stars, then they can help promoting our own beautiful island, Taiwan. I think Cheng-ming Wang can be acclaimed as our cultural super hero. He is able to get into the Major League because of his good performance. Because of him, more and more people get to know Taiwan. The governments invested money to use TV commercials to promote Taiwan when Wang played. Tens of thousands of people could see the commercial when they were watching baseball game. We can tell how important Wang is by this.
ReplyDelete96540303 Ivy
Cultural hero
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, we need cultural heroes to serve a model of the whole society and to bring the encouragement and inspiration to people. Also, we, I mean the whole country, could become a tide union simply because of a super star or an cultural icon, such as Wang in NY Yankees, Jay Chou the super star in Asia and 林義傑Kevin Lin the ever victorious marathon champion, etc. we are all proud of these people. I do, how about you?
Annon 96540320
My answer is Yes!! Super stars can represent parts of our culture. Art or some events all have great relation with the important role to carry them out. Those people should be put under the spot light and be respected and admired.
ReplyDelete96540343 Carol
Having culture super stars to represent our culture is important. Like Hwai-Min Lin, he is the founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. Lin puts the traditional chinese elements into the dance so as our culture can be recognized by the world.
ReplyDelete96540318 Sunny
The particular one that can be acclaimed as our cultural super hero in my mind definitely is Ang Lee, and his talent on movies is undeniable. He himself had said, "I am from Taiwan, and the way I tell stories is also Taiwanese style." His early works such as "Eat Drink Man Woman" (飲食男女) and "The Wedding Banquet" (喜宴) are full of unique Taiwan culture.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely. We need our own culture super hero to learn from. We need our own culture super hero to represent and show Taiwanese culture to people around the world. I think every culture needs its own culture hero to stand for it.
ReplyDelete96540337 Amanda
think there is a need for our culture to make our own super stars whom we are proud of and can identify with. Because our Taiwan is a small island, people around the world are hardly to find our country on the map. We can make foreigners know our country by the fames of those celebrities, like Chien-Ming Wang, Ang Lee, and so on. I believe everyone have great esteem for their attitudes towards their life. It can be represented as Taiwan spirit.
ReplyDeleteBy 96540347 Lisa
I think there is a need for our culture to make our own super star whom we are proud of and can identify with. They are like models. They are like heroes, targets, and goals that people will pursue. They give people hope. They make us believe that we can succeed just like them one day if we work hard. Especially for Taiwan, it is a small island and we are the one of the members of United Nation. We need a super star to let people know the existence of Taiwan.
ReplyDeleteIn my mind, I think Chen Ming Wang can be acclaimed as our cultural super hero. Because of him, more and more people get to know the place of Taiwan. It is Taiwan, not China, Japan, or Korean. He successfully promotes our country to the foreigners. To know the place of Taiwan is the first step. After that people will start to make some research about Taiwan. Especially after Chen Ming Wang has a good performance in the MLB, people would like to know more about Taiwan. Somehow, he promotes our culture to others.
96540332 Mark
I think the answer would definitely be yes. I admit Mr. Hwai Min Lin a lot. Not only because I like dance but also body language is a very important way of communication. Even for a person who cannot read can understand our culture through performace. Dance could carry a lot of facial expression through every movement. Maybe we learn from him as a model of Taiwan spirit.
ReplyDelete96540341 Ella
Yes, of course, I deeply believe it is necessary for our culture to make our own super stars. I thought of the pop singer A Mei instead of Jay Chou. She is an aboriginal girl from Taitong, and now a famous super star in Asia. Even Japanese people admired her superb vocal performance and invited her to take the leading role in the opera Turandot with their local chorus three years ago. A Mei also made herself recognized in Mainland China as a Taiwanese singer and gained great popularity there. She also devoted herself to many charity affairs in helping aboriginal children and urged public attention. She carries Taiwanese oriented characters and performs on the global stage very well.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Wong 95540455
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