Wilber Pan (born 6 August 1980), also known as Will Pan, is a Taiwanese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. He started his career as a host of Channel V programs. In 2011, Pan was awarded Best Actor for Endless Love (愛∞無限) at the 46th Golden Bell Awards, Taiwan's equivalent to the Emmy Awards.
In recent years, Pan ventured into the business world. Pan's business interests extends into streetwear fashion and developing of mobile games. In 2009, he launched the streetwear boutique N.P.C (New Project Center) which he collaborated with Chinese host Nic Li, in Shanghai. QQ.com 潘玮柏李晨化身潮店老板. Retrieved 28 September 2012. New Project Center New Project Center website . Retrieved 28 September 2012. N.P.C also has its stores in Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and at online shopping website Taobao. NEW PROJECT CENTER NEW PROJECT CENTER Taobao website. Retrieved 30 December 2012. In 2010, Pan established his streetwear brand "Undisputed" and modelled for the brand's promotional ads. Forbes China 品牌控潘瑋柏 . Retrieved 13 November 2012. He is also the cofounder and chief creative officer of software company Camigo Media, which develops popular mobile games such as "Fish Off", "Pig Rockets" and "MeWantBamboo 2", that has achieved over 20 million downloads to date.Camigo Media LLC Camigo Media LLC website . Retrieved 4 February 2014.
In April 2013, Pan was ranked 76th on 2013 Forbes China Celebrity 100 list, and 44th on the income list which was based on his estimated earnings of $31.9 million yuan in 2012. Forbes 2013福布斯中國名人榜 23 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013
Early life Pan was born in West Virginia, United States but moved to Taiwan at the age of seven. He attended Dominican International School and Taipei American School and graduated in 1999. He was offered an athletic scholarship in basketball by an NCAA college, but chose to continue his education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in the United States. However, he left before graduating to pursue a showbiz career.
In 1999, Pan took part in singing contest "BCC Star" while interning at the Broadcasting Corporation of China. He performed the song "Can't Wait" by Steve Seungjun Yoo and Yuki Hsu in the finals and later went on to participate in NMG/BMG Los Angeles Singing Competition. The song which he performed, Alex To's "You Are Spoiled" (把你寵壞) won him the "Best Image Award". His performance at the singing competition caught the attention of Andy Lau's manager and he was invited to audition for Channel V's program host in Hong Kong. Youtube 2012/09/05 十點名人堂 . Retrieved 5 September 2012.
Career
2001–2002
In 2001, Pan signed to BMG and made his debut hosting V Style Society alongside Jason Tang. In the same year, he acted in Taiwanese drama Great Teacher (麻辣鮮師) and contributed four songs in the original soundtrack.
In 2002, Will released his debut Mandarin solo album, Gecko Stroll, which sold over 130,000 copies in Taiwan.iwant-radio 獅子座個性不服輸，潘瑋柏越被激越成功 . Retrieved 6 October 2012 The album contains the track "By My Side" (站在你這邊) composed by Jay Chou and "I'm Not Afraid" (我不怕) composed by Chinese singer Anson Hu. He collaborated with Evonne Hsu on the track "Special Guest" (特別來賓).
He was featured in Alec Su's 2002 song "Playing for Real" (玩真的).
2003–2004 His second album Pass Me The Mic was released in the following year on 19 September. The album includes his collaboration with Jason Tang on the track "Curry Chili" (咖哩辣椒). To promote his album, Pan starred in a five-part "music love story" (音樂愛情故事) which aired on SETTV variety show "Showbiz" (完全娛樂).
In October 2003, he held his first mini concert "Will's Show" at Nangang 101. A VCD, "Will Show Music Video Karaoke" which contains the concert highlights, was released in Jan 2004. In the compilation album "U Love" released by Universal Music Taiwan, he worked with Universal Music artists Energy and Evonne Hsu on the single "Universal Love".
He was awarded "Best Male Artist in sales records" at 2003 "G-Music Chart Awards" for Gecko Stroll.
He appeared as guest star in 2003 dramas Love Train (心動列車) and "Wu He Tian" (無河天).
In June 2004, he released a pictorial and conversational English book "Never Teach Me Grammar" (就是不想學文法). He cowrote the contents when he was hospitalized for knee injuries. eslite.com 就是不想學文法. Retrieved 15 October 2012 sina.com 潘瑋柏手術住院期間寫《就是不想學文法》 . Retrieved 15 October 2012
He was featured in American singer-songwriter Christina Milian's song Dip It Low (Asian Mix), which is recorded in It's About Time (Asian Special Edition).
On 7 August 2004, Will staged his first overseas ticketed concert "Cool Play Concert" at Singapore Indoor Stadium with Taiwanese artist Chang Shan-wei.theurbanwire.com The Dynamic Duo . Retrieved 16 October 2012.
On 3 September 2004, he released his third album Wu Ha which features a duet, "Adoration to Happiness" (快樂崇拜), with Angela Zhang. The album contains the track 「我讓你走了」 (Letting You Go) composed by Taiwanese singer Tank.
2005–2006 In July 2005, Pan released his fourth studio album The Expert, featuring Chinese singer Zhang Xianzi in the hit song 「不得不愛」 (Cannot Not Love). He convened a team,"Pan@sonic," to assist him in album productions. The self-penned lead single 「誰是 MVP」 (Who's MVP) is mainly about an ambition to be the MVP in career and areas of interest. It also talks about Pan's emotional setbacks when he sustained serious ligament injury. Sina.com 潘瑋柏腳傷复原行動大不如前 . Retrieved 15 October 2012. The album also contains the song 「跟我走吧」 (Leave With Me) composed by singer-songwriter JJ Lin.
On 13 August 2005, Pan held a celebration show in Taipei, performing tracks mainly from The Expert.
In December 2005, he released a remix album Will Pan's Freestyle Remix 2005 which contains the remix versions of his previously released hits and a bonus VCD of 「決戰鬥室」 (Battle Room) special version MV and 「一指神功」 (Android) MV.
On 23 June 2006, Pan released his fifth studio album Around the World which includes 2 duets. He collaborated with Taiwanese seasoned singer Su Rui on the track 「我想更慬你」 (I Wanna Understand You More) which is about contradictions between a mother and son. The other duet, 「戴上我的愛」 (Wear My Love), features Chinese singer May Wang. The MV of the title track 「反轉地球」 (Around The World) featured his "Pan@sonic" team members, Taiwanese well-known choreographer Rambo (藍波) and songwriter Jeremy Ji. The album also contains the track "Pan@sonic", composed by the team. "Pan@sonic" subsequently dissolved shortly after Jeremy Ji left to pursue a singing career.
Shortly after the release of Around the World, one of the tracks 「著迷」 (Mesmerized) was accused of plagiarism by netizens. The MV concept of the song was also accused of being highly similar to South Korean singer Rain's song I Do. The credited composer Kuan Weitang (官煒棠) later admitted to plagiarizing the 1998 song "Each Time" by East 17. He eventually made an apology, agreeing to drop his name from the credits and bear all legal consequences. It was reported that Pan expressed shock and disappointment over the plagiarism incident. Libertytimes 潘瑋柏新歌著迷 曲子偷來的 . Retrieved 29 May 2013.
On 30 September 2006, Pan embarked on his first official headlining tour "Will Pan Around The World Concert Tour" which kicked off in Shanghai, China. Faye from Taiwanese band F.I.R. and singer Shin were special guests for the first stop. The concert tour went on for 16 months, from Sept 2006 to January 2008.
2007–2008 In September 2007, Pan released his sixth studio album Play It Cool. The album includes a collaboration with Mandopop singer and SHIN band former vocalist, Shin on the rock song "Shut Up". He worked with singer Tarcy Su, Taiwanese actress Angus Chang and Chinese actress Betty Sun in the MVs of 「路太彎」 (Road Too Windy), 「說你愛我」 (Say You Love Me) and 「愛不離」 (Love Doesn't Leave) respectively.
On 20 October 2007, he resumed his "Around The World Concert Tour" at Hefei in China, in line with the release of Play It Cool. Jay Chou was the special guest and they performed 「聽媽媽的話」 (Listen to Mother's Words) from Jay's album Still Fantasy. HF365.com 潘瑋柏合肥演唱會 激情四射 21 October 2007. Retrieved 17 October 2012 The concert tour was later held in other cities of China, before ending on 1 January 2008 in Guangzhou. He released a concert DVD "Will Pan 2006–2007 Around The World Concert Tour" on 20 July 2007 which contains live and behind-the scenes footages of the tour.
In March 2008, Will collaborated with Jacky Cheung and S.H.E on the track 「紅遍全球」 (Red Around The World) (Third Edition). The song is recorded by brand ambassadors of Coca-Cola, as one of the torch relay songs at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Sina.com 張學友攜手林夕獻禮奧運 《紅遍全球》獨家首播 27 March 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2012
On 18 July 2008, Pan released his first compilation album, Will's Future. It contains three new tracks, two medley remixes and 29 previously released songs. One of the new tracks, 「夏日瘋」 (Summer Craze), is the opening theme song of Taiwanese drama Miss No Good, which starred Will and Rainie Yang. The album also includes Will's first attempt in a Cantonese song which is the other version of ballad track 「轉機」(Transfer). A second edition of Will's Future, released three months later, contains four instrumental tracks of Miss No Good and its insert song 「同一個遺憾」 (Same Regret) which Pan collaborated with Jeremy Ji.
2009–2011
On 22 May 2009, Pan released his seventh studio album, 007. It features a duet, "Be with You" with American R&B singer Akon. The MV of the track 「雙人舞」 (Pas de Deux), with production costs of NT$7 million, features South Korean actress Lee Da-hae. QQ.com 潘瑋柏赴韓國學舞 《雙人舞》成最燒錢MV . Retrieved 20 October 2012. Pan also worked with Taiwanese actress Chen Kuangyi and Annie Chen in the music videos of 「無重力」 (Weightless) and 「寂屋出租」 (Silence Room for Rent). The Liberty Times 潘帥救美狂飆淚 扭腰甩臀真腰受 . Retrieved 20 October 2012.
Pan held his second headlining tour, I'm Will Concert Tour, between September and December 2009. The futuristic-themed tour began in Shanghai, China and final stop held in Taipei, Taiwan.
In 2010, Pan guest starred in Pandamen directed by Jay Chou, and acted in Endless Love with Sandrine Pinna.
In January 2011, Pan released his eighth studio album, 808, which features the opening theme song 「我們都怕痛」 (We Are All Afraid of Pain) of Endless Love. He composed five tracks on the album including 「觸動」 (Touch) which he collaborated with Nichkhun of Korean boy band 2PM on the music video.
On 18 June 2011, Pan was the opening act of the 22nd Golden Melody Awards (the Chinese equivalent to the Grammy Awards), held at Taipei Arena. The Liberty Times 江蕙稱讚開場秀 潘帥噴淚 . Retrieved 28 September 2012.
After starring in Endless Love, Pan was offered a number of acting opportunities, including the leading actor role of popular Taiwanese drama Love You. However, he declined the offers and cited that he will only consider roles which he is confident of performing up to his expectations. NOWnews 金鐘獎/入圍戲劇類男主角獎 潘瑋柏：我不相信！. Retrieved 28 September 2012. The role of Love You later went to actor Joseph Chang, who was also nominated in the same category as Pan in the 46th Golden Bell Awards.
On 21 October 2011, Pan was awarded Best Actor at the 46th Golden Bell Awards, Taiwan for Endless Love.China Post Wilber Pan, Tien Hsin win Golden Bells 22 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011
2012 In May, Pan was awarded three awards including "HITO Top 10 Songs" for the song "U U U" at Taiwan HITO Radio Music Awards. In the same month, he was named the ambassador of 2012 Asia Metro Street Dance Competition.Sina.com 潘瑋柏隨我要上學走進貴州苗寨 与城市家庭一起 11 May 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012
Between 28 and 29 August, Pan partnered with Google+ and YouTube, and held a 24-hour Google+ Hangouts On-Air, in line with the promotion of his new album. He is the first Taiwanese American celebrity to broadcast publicly snippets of his life on a livestream Google+ Hangouts On-Air within a 24-hour timespan.