TAIWAN : Former Hong Kong pop star Edison Chen who had to abandon his career last year over a sex-photo scandal is reportedly trying to make a comeback in Taiwan and apparently seeking collaborators like pop idols Jay Chou and Jolin Tsai to get him started.

The report was carried yesterday in Taiwan's Chinese-language United Daily News (UDA).

Chen was in Taiwan in July to shoot a series of television commercials as spokesman for a Levi's jeans campaign with the theme "Persevere, never give up."

It marked the first endorsement deal Chen has signed since he announced his retirement from the entertainment industry in February 2008.

The American clothing company cancelled an earlier contract with Chen last year after the photo scandal erupted.

The UDN report notes that Chen has appeared on the covers of two Taiwan magazines and has two endorsement deals set for September.

UDN's report quotes Chen's interview with "BANG" magazine, in which Chen described himself as a fan of Jay Chou.

He also spoke positively of Jolin Tsai, saying she is very hard-working.

Chen told the magazine he's been working out for 90 minutes every day. He said he's also taken an interest in film production.

Joilin Tsai's manager, when asked to comment on the report about the possibility of her collaboration with Chen, replied on the pop idol's behalf, "Thanks for his praise. As for collaboration, we will wait till there's a specific plan and then we will see."

Chen and Tsai have worked together in the past, with Chen appearing in the Taiwan pop star's music video "Mr Q". However, Tsai, who also serves as a Levi's spokesperson, did not attend Chen's shooting for Levi's commercials in July. Shooting for Tsai's commercials was scheduled for a different day.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/04/2009 page2)