I've dressed this way for a decade: Wilber Pan
IS IMITATION the best form of flattery?Not for some fans of an enigmatic Korean rapper, who thought this Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter was just being a copy cat.
Last month, Wilber Pan, best known for his upbeat hip-hop tunes such as Gecko Stroll, Around The World and The Story of Billy, was slammed by a group of ardent Big Bang fans on social media platform Instagram.
The cause of the furore? Pan allegedly "copied" the fashion styles of their idol, G-Dragon of the K-pop boyband
They accused the 32-year-old West Virginia-born Mandopop star of "dressing and accessorising" like G-Dragon, who is famed for his effortlessly trendy, urban street gear.
Harsh words and vulgarities were hurled at Pan, Taiwanese media reported.
Pan, not one to cower in the face of such accusations, swiftly retaliated by posting an old photo of himself, along with a Chinese message on Instagram: "It's quite irritating to see people fighting all the time, why do you need to fight?
"Choose whoever you want to support, it's fine by me. I can only say that some of you are too obsessed. (sic)
"My get-ups have been with me since a decade ago. Now, here's a 2007 picture, take that."
The New Paper called Pan when he was in town late last month as a performing guest at MediaCorp Channel 8's Star Awards Show 1 and he addressed the incident with candour.
He said: "I wasn't particularly mad, but I'm also not the sort who would give into fan's arguments.
"Fans don't have to adore every artiste, but at the same time, they shouldn't show disrespect."
Pan, who bagged Taiwan's prestigious Golden Bell Award for Best Leading Actor in a Television Series for his role in drama Endless Love two years ago, said it is "normal" for artistes to eye the same fashion brands.
"Show Luo (his celeb pal) and I wear the same stuff all the time," he said with a laugh.
"But that doesn't mean our fans will be up in arms."
Pan, who will perform here as part of a world tour this year, has his own fashion label, N.P.C (New Project Center), a sideline business he started with Chinese host Li Chen in 2011.
N.P.C sells mainly casual wear, including T-shirts, caps and jeans.
He might be a suave, gorgeous hunk to his legions of female fans in Asia, but as Pan puts it flatly: "Looks don't last forever.
"When I started singing back in 2002, I did mind critics labelling me a 'poster boy' or 'idol'.
"Now, I'm not so bothered by it, as it doesn't stop me from working hard at my craft, or producing my own songs. I've had 10 albums out (nine original albums, one compilation) and I'm still going strong.
"The way I look doesn't mean I do not work hard."
After a slight pause, he said: "Anyway, seriously, I'm not really that good-looking."
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Lmao, ok