F4 is a boy band from Taiwan. The group began in the Taiwanese television series Meteor Garden. Over time,
F4 became popular in Asia - mobbed in Chinese-speaking countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore and idolized
in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia. In April 2005, they launched in to Japanese market.
F4 is comprised for four members: Jerry Yan, a former model; Vic Zhou, a student; Vanness Wu, a singer from a former boyband
L.A. Boyz; and Ken Chu, a former part-time waiter. Thanks to their good looks and height (a requirement being that they were
at least 6 feet tall, or about 180cm) they were chosen by producer Angie Tsai to star in Meteor Garden.
The series is an adaptation of the Japanese shoujo manga series, Hana Yori Dango ("Boys Over Flowers"). Yan plays
the lead role of Dao Ming Si, an extremely arrogant and rich university student who meets his match in the poor but proud
girl, Shan Cai - played by Barbie Xu. Zhou, Wu and Zhu play his friends Hua Ze Lei, Mei Zuo, and Xi Men respectively. The
four boys were the most popular and handsome boys at the university; they were recognised as the group named the "Flowery
Four", hence the title: F4.
Meteor Garden was a hit in Taiwan in 2001 and turned the leads quickly into superstars. In 2002 Meteor Garden was released
in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, and in the Philippines in 2003. The series was smuggled into Mainland China
in 2002 despite an official ban by the authorities there on its showing due to its emphasis on power and materialism. A sequel,
Meteor Garden II, was shot in Spain later and released in 2002.
In 2001, F4 became a boyband and signed a record deal with Sony. Together they have released two albums, Meteor Rain and
Fantasy 4ever. Zhou has released two of his own. Wu, Yan and Zhu have released one each.
In 2002, F4 sang the Mandarin cover of "Can't Help Fallin' in Love" included in Walt Disney's Lilo and Stitch soundtrack
for the region of Asia. The English version of this song is sung by A*Teens, which is a cover of the Elvis Presley hit
"Fools Rush In".
F4 are currently working on their solo careers in acting and music, but are also preparing for their 3rd album.
F4 has sponsored Pepsi, Yamaha Motorbikes and Samuel & Kevin.