Spotlight: Taiwanese korfball player-turned-model Chien Wan-yun

Spotlight: Taiwanese korfball player-turned-model Chien Wan-yun

2023-10-24

Today we take you to meet Taiwanese fashion model Chien Wan-yun. Not only did she walk in Taipei Fashion Week, she is also representing Taiwan at the Asia finals of the International Super Model Contest in Kunming in late October. Prior to being a model, Chien was a world-class korfball player who represented Taiwan in tournaments. FTV reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Chien to discover her unique journey from athlete to the runway.

Strutting down the runway of Taipei Fashion Week, this is Chien Wan-yun. Standing at 171 centimeters tall, Chien is also the winner of the Super Model category of Taiwan’s International Super Model contest. She is preparing to represent Taiwan in Kunming for the Asia final in late October.

Chien Wan-yun
Model
Regarding the runway aspect of it, elements like the high heels and the posture and the way you walk -these things require a lot of practice. The competition is coming up. I am quite nervous, so I find the time to practice. I am hoping for a good result.

Prior to modeling, Chien was a korfball player. She represented Taiwan at the IKF Korfball U23 World Championship in Hungary, where she helped Taiwan secure bronze.

Chien Wan-yun
Model
When I was in junior high school, there was korfball at our school. I joined the team out of curiosity. I liked it very much after playing, so I played korfball till college. I have always been involved in sports. Even during university and graduate school. A friend suggested that modeling might suit me, so I entered the modeling industry. Many people think that these are two very different things, but in fact, when you put them together, they have a lot in common. When we were in school, we had sports performances. We showcased sports and it was also a performance. I have been a model for only three years.

After graduating from college, she decided to give modeling a try at the suggestion of a friend. Having had no prior experience in modeling, she says she had to work very hard. She taught herself how to pose and walk by watching videos online. She credits some of her success to being an athlete.

Chien Wan-yun
Model
I can accept the difficulties that come with modeling. I think a good athlete naturally focuses on having a good posture, body management, and muscle management. So for me, these demands are quite familiar. When I get up in the morning, I exercise first, then have a controlled diet, and then exercise again in the afternoon. I exercise twice a day. I hope to expand my career internationally and will continue to work hard towards that."

Now getting ready to represent Taiwan at the International Super Model Contest, Chien is brimming with hope. Not only does she dream of bringing home gold, she also wants to walk in more fashion events worldwide.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

征服伸展台台灣模特兒簡菀妘專訪

2023-10-24

今天帶大家認識台灣模特兒簡菀妘。她不僅登上台北時裝周，也代表台灣參加10月底在昆明舉行的國際超模大賽亞洲區總決賽。在成為模特兒之前，簡菀妘是一位世界級的合球運動員，曾代表台灣參加錦標賽。

模特兒簡菀妘走上台北時裝周的伸展台。身高171公分的她，曾奪下國際超模大賽台灣賽區T台組冠軍。簡菀妘代表台灣參加10月底在昆明舉行的亞洲總決賽。

[[模特兒簡菀妘]]
"走秀的部分，像是高跟鞋，然後儀態，走路的方式，需要多練習。要比賽了，滿緊張的，就抽空練習。希望可以拿到好成績"

在成為模特兒之前，簡菀妘是一名合球運動員，曾代表台灣遠赴匈牙利拿下U23世界合球錦標賽第3名。

[[模特兒簡菀妘]]
"我國中的時候，上學的時候，學校有這一項運動，因為好奇心就加入了。我打了以後就很喜歡，一路打到大學，算是都是一直從事體育相關的，一路升到大學及研究所。因為有朋友推薦我可能適合，所以我才踏入模特兒這行業。很多人都會覺得這是兩個很不一樣的東西，但是其實兩個結合在一起算是有關連性的。我們在學校的時候，有體育表演會，我們就是展現運動，也是表演性質。所以銜接還算可以接受。我當模特兒三年而已。"

大學畢業後，簡菀妘在朋友的鼓勵下決定嘗試模特兒這一行，從零開始的她，比別人更加努力，透過網路影片自學如何擺姿勢和走台步。她說自己的成功，有一部分要歸功於運動員的底子。

[[模特兒簡菀妘]]
"模特兒比較多困難的應該都還可以接受，因為我認為一個好的運動員，本來就是在體態，身材管理，肌肉都要管理得很好，相對的，我覺得這個都還蠻可以接受的，我早上起來會先運動，然後飲食控制，然後下午再運動一次，所以一天運動兩次。我希望如果可以的話，能往國際方面繼續發展，繼續努力"

對於國際超模大賽，簡菀妘對自己有深深的期許，誓言要將金牌帶回台灣，未來要走上世界各地的伸展台。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
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You Si-kun
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In an international society where monetary interests are used as a measuring stick, Speaker Cmilyte-Nielsen has stood unbowed, showing a noble character and her determination to uphold the universal values of freedom and democracy. On behalf of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China, Taiwan, I would like to express my utmost respect to the speaker for her unwavering resolve and her efforts to promote what is good.

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Lithuania parliament speaker
One could say that today’s cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan and is a litmus test to many countries worldwide in general and to the EU in particular. A number of other EU member states are eager to see the specific economic and investment results achieved and it would determine further steps of other EU member states accordingly. This is why the partnership between Taiwan and Lithuania must become a success story. Together we must show that collaboration between democracies is both right and mutually beneficial.

Since the mutual establishment of representative offices, Taiwan and Lithuania have ramped up exchanges in trade, culture, and tech. Besides sharing democratic values, the two nations have geopolitical similarities, as both face an expanding regional hegemony.

Victorija Cmilyte-Nielsen
Lithuania parliament speaker
We must take action to support freedom in Ukraine and beyond. We must uphold the rule of law and human rights and we must take responsibility for our actions or our failures to act.

Taiwan and Lithuanian lawmakers stood side by side in a commemorative photo. The speaker will depart on Wednesday after a four-day tour, which marked a big step forward for Taiwan-Lithuanian ties.

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Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off Hualien County Tuesday morning. The shaking was felt islandwide, at a maximum intensity of 3 on a 7-tier scale. Seismologists say that in the Taipei area, the seismic waves were amplified by the geography and tall buildings, making the quake feel stronger than it was. They warn that aftershocks of up to magnitude 6 may occur within the next five days.

An earthquake rocked Taiwan at 7:05 a.m. on Tuesday. This cashier at an Yilan supermarket was startled by the shaking, raising a hand to shield his head. The Central Weather Administration issued an earthquake warning for Yilan.

Supermarket employee
The alert went off, and everything started shaking. There was a customer, so I just kept attending to her.

Supermarket employee
The ground shook quite violently. I rushed out to check on the store to see if anything fell to the ground.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located off the coast of Hualien. With a magnitude of 6.2, it is the biggest earthquake recorded in Taiwan so far this year. It was relatively shallow, at just 5.7 kilometers deep. In Yilan, Hualien, New Taipei and Hsinchu, the earthquake measured 3 on Taiwan’s 7-tier intensity scale. In Taipei, Taitung, Nantou and Taichung, it was felt at an intensity rating of 2. Even in the offshore county of Penghu, the earthquake registered an intensity level of 1. The shaking woke up many residents in greater Taipei.

Wu Chien-fu
CWA Seismological Center
In the Taipei basin or in taller buildings, the basin and the buildings resonate with the rocking, making the earthquake feel bigger. Since many people were still sleeping and everything was still quiet, the quake may have been more noticeable.

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The direction of the seismic waves varies, and each earthquake may result in different intensities of swaying at the same spot. It’s all because of the path of the seismic waves. These factors are called seismic site effects.

On average, Taiwan gets hit with two to three earthquakes with magnitudes of 6 or above every year. The temblor on Tuesday was the first one in 2023. So far this year, there have been 24 earthquakes with magnitudes of 5 or above, which is not far from the yearly average of 25. The CWA says this year’s seismic activity is within the normal range.

Wu Chien-fu
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Based on the data we have, we don’t rule out the possibility of aftershocks ranging from 5.5 to 6 in magnitude within the next five days.

The earthquake was also felt in Japan’s Yonaguni Island, where it registered an intensity of 3, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Even as far as Ishigaki Island, the temblor reached an intensity of 2.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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A refresher on earthquake safety: Forget the ‘Golden Triangle’ theory

Now for a short refresher on earthquake safety. Do you know what to do if the Earth starts to tremble? Maybe you’ve been through loads of quake drills, maybe you have a procedure when you hear a tremor. And maybe you’ve heard of the popular “Golden Triangle” theory about where to hide. Today we go over the basic, uncontroversial advice, which is to “get down, cover, stabilize.” We also hear from quake experts to bust some myths. The keys to remember are lowering your center of gravity, protecting your head, and hiding under something stable.

When an earthquake siren sounds, and the ground starts to shake, there’s no time to waste. Many of us aren’t sure where to hide to protect ourselves, but these passersby are well-informed.

Member of public
I remember what we were taught in school. You need to hide under a solid table, and protect your head.

Member of public
Hide under the table or beside a cabinet.

There are 36,000 to 40,000 earthquakes in Taiwan every year. Only about 1,000 are strong enough to notice. Many of us have been going through emergency drills ever since we were children. The drill is always get close to the ground, cover yourself for protection, and when the quake calms down, leave the building while protecting your head. But where to hide is the million-dollar question. And best practice has changed over the years.

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In the 1999 Jiji Earthquake, when the Tunghsing Building collapsed in Taipei, the Sun brothers were trapped inside for many days. When they emerged, they said they had survived because of being next to a fridge, and having some fruit to eat. We can only say they were very lucky. But we can’t say, go and stand by a fridge next time there’s an earthquake, because in doing so you might be injured.

The “Golden Triangle” theory posits that when a quake begins, you should take cover next to a large piece of furniture, in a triangle between a wall and the furniture. Proponents say this space will increase your chances of survival. But earthquakes can cause furniture to move and walls to collapse, of course. It might not work out as you hope. In some cases, this space could become more dangerous.

Liao Cheh-wei
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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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The 36th Tokyo International Film Festival held its opening ceremony on Monday. It was a gathering of Japan’s film luminaries, including Koji Yakusho, Tomokazu Miura, Goro Inagaki, and Yui Aragaki, all of whom are red-hot in Taiwan.

Upon seeing Taiwanese reporters, many stars expressed their love for Taiwan, and said they hoped their films would be well-received on the island.

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A wide horizon ends in far-off mountain peaks. This garden is like an idyll in the clouds, cut off from the world. The aromatic herb garden on Nantou’s Bagua八卦 Mountain was once a secluded spot, but now it’s full of the sound of joyful visitors, thanks to Ip Ting Ting’s work.

Ip Ting Ting
Hong Kong horticultural therapist
This is called “The Herb of Youth.” It’s a Mediterranean plant. Legend has it that when the Empress of Hungary was in her 60s, she used this as a cosmetic, and then she was able to marry a prince in his twenties.

The spick and span garden was built brick by brick by Ip’s husband Wei Cheng-chuan. Before they married, the herb garden was used to create essential oils, and visitors were only allowed in at weekends. But when Ip moved to Taiwan in 2017, they opened up the doors of the garden to more visitors. Ip’s role is in essential oil sales and events management.

But when she first arrived on Bagua Mountain from Hong Kong, it was hard to settle in. It felt like the middle of nowhere.

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She didn’t like the heat, the insects, the cold, the frogs, or any amphibians for that matter. I thought she would find her own way through it. I wasn’t too worried that she would find her way.

Ip previously worked as a social worker in Hong Kong. When she married Wei, and moved to Taiwan, it was hard to find work and farming didn’t suit her. But she found her footing when she qualified as an aromatherapist and horticultural therapist, and took the herb garden to the next level. She’s committed to revitalizing the local economy, and helps local farmers and women develop business skills, through purchasing contracts and job opportunities. She’s even offered trainings to support others towards financial independence.

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Ip also employs university students in the garden, offering bed and board.

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We give them an experience of coming to the rural village, and we guide these city youths to go out and serve older people in more remote places, to serve the community.

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This story was provided by the program "We Are Family"
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Taekwondo practitioner Xiao Xiang-wen stands tall on the podium. He’s claimed Taiwan’s first gold at the Asian Para Games.

His journey to the gold medal match was remarkable, with him defeating every rival by a wide margin. Fighting in red in the final, Xiao used a rapid-fire offensive against Japan’s Mitsuya Tanaka. He won 27-11, scoring his first-ever Asian Para Games gold.

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I’m elated. The Asian Para Games is such a major competition. As an athlete, I had never competed before on such a large scale. So I’m thrilled. It’s a dream come true. My next goal is to make it to the Paralympics.

Xiao has trained in taekwondo since he was a child. As a college senior, he had hoped to try out for Taiwan’s mainstream taekwondo team. But a traffic accident shattered his dream and left him with damaged nerves in his right arm. Initially, Xiao was devastated. But with the support of his family and girlfriend, he transitioned to coaching, before returning to the ring as a para-athlete. His perseverance paid off, sending him to a new career high. Throughout his journey, his coach Wu Yen-ni has been right there beside him.

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Before the accident, his life was all about taekwondo. Overnight, he lost everything. He must have been devastated. So I’m very happy that he has had this opportunity. Very happy for him.

Wu herself is an Asian Games silver medalist, but she says seeing Xiao win brought even greater joy than her own medal. After battling through adversity, Xiao reached the top of a major competition. His next goal? Making it into the Paris Paralympics next year.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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