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Table of Contents
- Blossoming Teens
December 28, 2003, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- Chinese New Year Potpourri
January 16, 2003, New Straits Times, Sharon Wong
- Ushering in Chinese New Year Early
December 14, 2002, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- The Store Anniversary Charity Celebrations
May 25, 2002, www.thestore.com.my, Press Release
- "Princesses" Horse Around in Rugged Kunming
January 6, 2002, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- Princesses Grow Up
October 10, 2001, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- Growing Up with Popularity
September 16, 2001, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- Princesses for the Soul
May 18, 2001, Music Orient Express, by Sharon Wong
- Folk Songs on Their Mind
April 17, 2001, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
- Winners of VCD Lucky Draw
February 26, 2001, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- MTVs for the Lunar Year
November 29, 2000, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- FLGP Wonderkids Take Flight
July 31, 2000, Malay Mail, by Ricky Yap
- Roaring Start to Lunar Year for WTE
March 10, 2000, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- Early Birds in Festive Releases
December 9, 1999, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- Shot in the Arm for Artistes
November 30, 1999, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- Big Battle of Little Girls
August 27, 1999, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
- Top Child Act
April 2, 1999, Malay Mail, by Ricky Yap
- Early Start to Year of Rabbit for Chinese Artistes
December 12, 1998, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- As Easy as ABC
September 27, 1998, Sunday Mail, by Ricky Yap
- It’s Not All Child’s Play
May 8, 1998, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- Four Platinum Princesses
January 25, 1998, Sunday Mail
- Happy with New Contracts
October 30, 1997, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
- “Princesses” to Sue Company
September 19, 1997, Malay Mail
- “Midas” Liew Does It Again
December 18, 1996, Malay Mail, by Ricky Yap<
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Blossoming Teens
December 28, 2003, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
Two local Chinese girls' quartets have joined forces for the first time on
a Chinese New Year music video recording.
Flowers Blossom In Springtime, featuring the M-Girls and Four Golden
Princesses - has also made it into the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR),
with the biggest number of lion dancers - 108 - in a music video
surpassing the former mark of 88 in another recording about two years ago.
The two quartets have been cutting their own festive albums all this
while, and their recording company - Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (WTE) -
saw it fit to combine them for one video compact disc.
At a simple ceremony, Jackson Ting, WTE managing director, received a
certificate recognising the music video feat from his MBR counterpart,
Danny Ooi.
Also present were the Four Golden Princesses, who comprise Chin Er
(whose real name is Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min), Kai Er
(Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong).
Chin Er, who at 15, is the "big sister" of the group, with the other
three all aged 14.
Three of the M-Girls - Crystal Ong Shir Ching, Angeline Khoo Yen Nee and
Queenzy Cheng Koon Si - were also there, while the fourth member,
Cassandra Chin Yean Sze, was unable to attend due to the demise of her
grandfather. All the four members are aged 17.
Recording the album, to welcome in the Year of the Monkey on January 22,
was a cinch for the two quartets as they have known one another for quite
some time.
"Working with the Four Golden Princesses was an exhilarating experience
as we shared so many things in common. We chatted all the way during the
bus journey from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (where the MTVs were shot)," said
Ong.
The VCD features the two quartets singing 10 festive favourites, plus
four covers of hit songs that have been given a CNY twist.
Khoo said: "Spring, one of the hit songs, has a hip-hop flavour to it.
We didn't want to change it too much as we were afraid our fans may not
accept it."
One MTV also featured the eight girls in a sky-diving stunt, which all
of them concurred was the most unforgettable experience of working on the
VCD.
Meanwhile, the M-Girls and Four Golden Princesses will be joining other
WTE artistes in a pre-Chinese New Year showcase performance at the Arena
of Stars in Genting Highlands at 3pm, today
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Chinese New Year Potpourri
January 16, 2003, New Straits Times, Sharon Wong
* M-GIRLS - New Year Yeah!; FOUR LITTLE GOLDEN PRINCESSES - Good Harvest
Every Year; VARIOUS - Eight Superstars Welcoming The New Year (Mandarin
VCD - Wayang Tinggi Entertainment)
Gong Xi, Gong Xi. It's that time of the year again and local recording companies
are putting out albums that add vibrant notes to the festive mood. From Wayang
Tinggi Entertainment, we have three VCDs, all filmed on location in scenic China.
Brimming with strong splashes of colour - singers are either in full
operatic regalia or in period costumes or in festive red (which symbolises
prosperity) - the VCDs are packed with beautiful scenes, scenery, songs
and dances. The contents are quite a sight to behold and will certainly
perk up your Chinese New Year.
The M-Girls (comprising Angeline Khoo Yen Nee, Cassandra Chin Jin Yean,
Queenzy Cheng Koon Si and Crystal Ong Shir Ching) presents a wide range of
Chinese New Year songs. Guest artistes Winnie Kok and Zhung Xheng Zhung
join in and you are thus assured that there's never a dull moment.
For the younger audience, there is the Four Little Golden Princesses,
comprising Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong), Chin Er (Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min
Er (Eng Lee Min) and Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee).
Celebrate with them as they prance about to the roll of drums and clash
of cymbals while their clear voices ring out good wishes for the Year of
the Goat.
Last, but not least, is the recording company's stable of artistes
including veterans Robin, Hsieh Cai Yun and Ciang Teng who, with Winnie
Kok, Lee Yen Ping and others, band together for a festive musical romp.
The tracks in these VCDs are a combination of the traditional Chinese
New Year songs but there are new compositions which bring a welcome
freshness to the familiar festive sounds. Performance: ***
RATINGS:
***** Excellent
**** Very good
*** Good
** Fair
* Poor
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Ushering in Chinese New Year Early
December 14, 2002, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
A production company has come up with a novel dual-marketing ploy for its latest releases.
Wayang Tinggi Entertainment became the "early bird" by releasing two of its Chinese New Year
offerings early last month way ahead of the competition - and more than two months before
the Year of the Ram charges in on Feb 1.
As a tie-in promotional event, WTE also held a joint autograph session for its two local recording
quartets - M-Girls and Four Golden Princesses in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur. Members of the two
groups were oblivious to the young pedlars hawking their bootleg ware on both sides of the street
during the evening event, as the lasses gamely signed one autograph after another for their young
and old fans, and occasionally posed for pictures.
WTE hopes this will act as an anti-music piracy move and also spur consumers to purchase original
versions of M-Girls' New Year Yeah and Prosper Every Year: Fat Ram, Good Luck by the Four Golden
Princesses.
The two releases are in cassette format and CD-VCD sets, with the music videos shot on location in
Yantai, eastern China during the school holidays last September.
Those who buy the cassettes will get two tickets (and four passes for CD-VCD sets) for a charity
concert featuring the two quartets and other WTE artistes in Genting Highlands on Sunday at 2.30pm.
Part of the proceeds received will go towards the building fund of the Sau Seng Lum Haemodialysis
and Stroke Rehabilitation Centre, now in the final stages of completion, in Puchong.
Crystal Ong Shir Ching, Angeline Khoo Yen Nee, Cassandra Chin Yean Sze and Queenzy Cheng Koon Si, all 16,
are the M-Girls.
Ong and Cheng are waiting for their PMR results while the other two will be in Form Five when school
resumes next month.
The Four Golden Princesses are Chin Er (whose real name is Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min),
Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong).
Chin Er, at 14, is the "Big Sister" of the group. The rest are all 13.
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The Store Anniversary Charity Celebrations - The Grand Reward Launching Ceremony
May 25, 2002, www.thestore.com.my, Press Release
The Store Anniversary Charity Celebrations - The Grand Reward Launching Ceremony
The event was held at The Store Batu Pahat (Summit Parade) Branch on 25th May 2002.
In conjunction with The Store Group's Anniversary Celebrations, a grand prize promotion a
nd charity activity will be carried out from 25-5-2002 to 1-9-2002.
The promotional activities lined up for The Store Anniversary Charity Celebrations, The Grand
Reward inter - alias, includes the live performance of local artistes namely 4 Little Golden
Princess and Timang Tinggi-Tinggi at The Store's selected outlets. 4 Little Golden Princess and
Timang Tinggi-Tinggi had been appointed by The Store Group as the Charity Celebration
Ambassadors.
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‘Princesses’ Horse Around in Rugged Kunming
January 6, 2002, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
The advent of the Lunar New Year of the Horse signals the release of another festive album for
local group Four Little Golden Princesses.
And in keeping with tradition, the quartet were once again in China to shoot the full-length
music video version of May The Arrival Of The Horse Year Brings Success.
This time, the Four Little Golden Princesses Chin Er (whose real name is Jenny Keong Hueh
Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong) were in the
Chinese city of Kunming, Yunnan Province, for the video's location shooting.
Among the locales featured were the Ethnic Group Village, Stone Forest and Kunming Park. And
besides riding horses and camels, the four girls also tried their hand at doing a lion-dance.
"This is the fifth time we are shooting a Chinese New Year MTV, and our third visit to China
for this purpose (after Shanghai and Beijing)," said Chin Er who, at 14, is the "Big Sister"
of the group, the other three being 12 years old.
Their latest effort, distributed by Wayang Tinggi Entertainment, features three local original
compositions, with the others being covers of festive favourites.
Among the original works were the title track, written by Tian Ming, and Drums Ushering In The
New Year, composed by Peter Fam with Low Yee Woh contributing the lyrics.
Chin Er, who is from Taiping, Perak, is a Form One student with SM Kerian in Parit Buntar. The
others are in Standard Six, with Kai Er studying in Sri Setia in Kuala Lumpur, while Min Er and
Hong Er hail from Alor Star, Kedah, and Bukit Mertajam, Penang, respectively.
The four girls have in fact known one another through the numerous singing contests which they
participated in a few years ago ... when they had barely outgrown their diapers.
They became the Four Golden Princesses after a recording company decided to group them together,
and made their MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
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Princesses Grow Up
October 10, 2001, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
It has been about nine months since Four Little Golden Princesses made the video compact disc
version of its Mandarin album, but the quartet can rejoice that Er Tong Le Yuan (Happy
Wonderland) Vol. 7 has finally seen the light of day.
The VCD version was released on Oct 1, exactly a month after the album came out.
Though the girls - Chin Er (whose real name is Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min),
Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong) - filmed the 14 music videos last Christmas,
much time was spent on the editing process. And there was also one particular MTV, Butterfly,
in which computer effects were added.
"It was quite cute, as the MTV only features our heads, with the production crew blending in
the computer effects later on," said Chin Er, who at 13 is the "Big Sister" of the group, the
other three, being all aged 11.
"This was similar to the special effects in Red Dragonfly (which the group recorded in its
fifth volume), which saw the four of us dangling on wires from the ceiling."
She added that a funny incident took place while they were filming Going Out With Mother To
Town at Bintang Walk in Kuala Lumpur.
"The four of us were dressed up in air-stewardess outfits, and passers-by would giggle at us
during the shooting."
The group's recording company Wayang Tinggi Entertainment seems to be working far ahead.
It has recorded Er Tong Le Yuan Vol. 8, and the accompanying full-length MTV was shot in
Bangkok, Thailand. It is now waiting for a suitable time to release it.
And the recent school break was not a vacation for the girls as unlike their schoolmates, they
were in the Chinese city of Kunming to shoot their Chinese New Year MTVs.
This is not the first time the four lasses have been to China, as they were there a couple of
times, also for Chinese New Year MTV shoots.
Though many may not agree with the quartet's lifestyle - what with them having to sacrifice
their recess breaks to catch up with their school work - the girls have become accustomed to
it, and are not complaining.
After all, they have been holding sway in the local children's Chinese music scene since their
formation in 1996, with each of their MTVs averaging sales of between 20,000 and 30,000 copies,
considered good for a local group.
Chin Er, who is from Taiping, is a Form One student with SM Kerian in Parit Buntar, while the
others are in Standard Five, with Kai Er studying in Sri Setia in Kuala Lumpur, and Min Er and
Hong Er are from Alor Star and Bukit Mertajam respectively.
With the Four Little Golden Princesses nearing adolescence, Wayang Tinggi has started making
changes to its singing style, slowly departing from its trademark children's favourites in
favour of school folk songs.
And a name change looks imminent too.
In its latest outing, the Four Little Golden Princesses also tried its hand at doing rap, Ah
Kau And Ah Fang, which it managed to finish recording in only one day.
The four girls have known each another through the numerous singing contests which they
participated in a few years ago. They became the Four Little Golden Princesses after a
recording company decided to group them together. They made their MTV debut in a compilation
effort in August 1996.
GRAPHIC: Having held sway over the children's Chinese music scene since its inception, the
Four Little Golden Princesses are primed for a new musical direction as they reach adolescence.
Picture - Sunshine girls ... The Four Little Golden Princesses have been ruling the Chinese
music scene for children's songs since 1996.
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Growing with Popularity
September 16, 2001, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
Their schoolmates may be having a gala time even as their break comes to an end, but for the
Four Little Golden Princesses, it is "business as usual".
School vacations are the time when the quartet who have reigned supreme in the local Chinese
children's music scene since they were formed in 1996 are at their busiest.
However, these breaks have always been "working holidays" for the Four Little Golden Princesses
Chin Er (whose real name is Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee)
and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong) who are now in the Chinese city of Kunming in Yunnan Province to
shoot their Chinese New Year music videos.
This is not the first time the four lasses have been in China, as they were there a couple of
times, also for Chinese New Year MTV shoots.
They are only expected back in Malaysia on Thursday, one day after school reopens, but also
depending on the weather conditions in Kunming, which may disrupt their shooting schedules
and force them to extend their stay.
The places which will be used as backdrops for their shoot will be the Ethnic Group Village,
Stone Forest and Kunming Park.
By now, the Four Little Golden Princesses have accepted the fact that it's worth all the trouble
sacrificing their holidays. Each of their MTVs sells between 20,000 and 30,000 copies, which is
considered good for a local group.
And they make sure they catch up on their schoolwork whenever they can in-between shoots and
onboard flights.
"We also use recess time to do our work at school," said Chin Er, who at 13 is the "Big Sister"
of the group, with the other three all aged 11.
Chin Er, who is from Taiping, Perak, is a Form One student with SM Kerian in nearby Parit
Buntar, while the others are in Standard Five with Kai Er studying in Seri Setia, Kuala Lumpur,
and Min Er and Hong Er from Alor Star, Kedah, and Bukit Mertajam, Penang, respectively.
With these four girls rapidly approaching puberty, changes have also been made to their singing
style, where they are slowly making a departure from their trademark children's favourites in
favour of school folk songs.
And this is reflected in their latest Mandarin effort, Er Tong Le Yuan (Happy Wonderland) Vol.
7, where the girls try their hand at doing school folks.
Like their previous effort, the Four Little Golden Princesses (change in name is also imminent),
also do render two local original compositions in their latest outing.
While Butterfly was a medium-paced number, Ah Kau And Ah Fang was a rap song, which the quartet
were doing for the first time, and which they recorded with little problem.
"We learnt how to do the rap song for a day before entering the recording studio. Despite the
level of difficulty, and our grasping of the subject matter, we only had to re-record parts of
the song four times," said Chin Er.
Of the 14 songs in their latest outing, the four girls picked Bag as their favourite because it
is an upbeat song with melody and rhythm similar to Red Dragonfly, which they recorded in the
fifth volume.
The four girls, who idolise song-and-dance acts such as Thailand's China Dolls, 4-in-Love of
Taiwan and Japan's Sunday Girls, have also shot a full-length MTV version of Er Tong Le Yuan
Vol. 7. Their recording company, Wayang Tinggi Entertainment, is expected to be released on
October 1.
During the Press conference, the Four Little Golden Princesses showed some nifty dance steps
while rendering three songs, including Butterfly and Ah Kau and Ah Fang, from their latest
album.
They have in fact recorded Er Tong Le Yuan Vol. 8. They also went to Bangkok to shoot the
accompanying full-length MTV, but Wayang Tinggi is waiting for a suitable time to release it.
The four girls have in fact known one another through the numerous singing contests which they
participated in a few years ago when they had barely outgrown their diapers. They became the
Four Golden Princesses after a recording company decided to group them together and made their
MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
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Princesses for the Soul
May 18, 2001, Music Orient Express, by Sharon Wong
FOUR LITTLE GOLDEN PRINCESSES - Children's Wonderland Vol 6 (Mandarin - Wayang Tinggi
Entertainment): It's a refreshing change to be listening to songs about nature's little
creatures (like bees and frogs), family and friendship rather than lovey-dovey ones - yet this
is not entirely a children's album. Some folk numbers are included, so whether you are a
child or an adult, Children's Wonderland by the Four Little Golden Princesses can be quite
entertaining.
From the patriotric My Beloved Malaysia (Wo Re Ai Der Ma Lai Sze Ya) to Friendship Song (Peng
You Ke), their voices ring out crystal-clear and powerful. There's even a song titled Grandpa
Quit Smoking (Ya Ya Ching Jie Yen). Big sister Winnie Kok also lends a hand, singing along
with the Princesses in Songs Around/Welcome Song (Ke Zhen Man Xin Na/Huan Ying Ke).
Besides new compositions, there are also some familiar favourites like Afternoon Rain (Wu Hou
Der Lei Yu), Beautiful Nature (Tian Ya Feng Kwong), and Fishermen (Da Yu Der Er Lang).
All the 14 tracks here are light-hearted numbers that does wonders for the soul and are just
the right thing for parents to listen - or sing along - with their children.
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Folk Songs on Their Mind
April 17, 2001, New Straits Times, Ricky Yap
The Four Little Golden Princesses have started to change their repertoire in tandem with their
inevitable transformation into pre-pubescent teens.
The girls' latest Mandarin effort, Er Tong Le Yuan ("Children's Wonderland") Vol. 6, is a
reflection of this growing-up process. They rendered original folk songs, of which one is We
Love Malaysia (where they donned traditional local outfits in the music video), in addition to
their standard children's fare. This trend continues in their seventh volume, which they have
finished recording and is expected to be released in July.
And this process is expected to be repeated in their eighth volume, which the four girls -
Chin Er (real name is Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Min Er (Eng Lee Min), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and
Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong) - are expected to start recording at the end of next month.
"This is not the first time we have done original folk songs as we actually started doing so
from our second volume," said Chin Er, self-appointed spokesperson of the group by virtue of
her being the eldest at 13.
The other three are 11 years old.
The four girls meet during weekends whenever there are album recordings, MTV shootings and
rehearsals for stage performances.
Chin Er added: "We know we have to change with the times. But at the same time, we also have
to continue doing children's songs that have become our trademark.
"It'll be a slow, gradual process. But one thing for sure is that we won't be doing middle-of-
the-road or pop songs because we are not suited for such numbers as a group."
Indeed, the Four Golden Princesses have come a long way since releasing their debut album in
1996.
They have in fact known each other through the numerous singing contests which they had
participated in. A recording company recruited them to form the Four Golden Princesses, where
they made their MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
Since then, every album and accompanying music video have achieved multiple platinum status.
Their Er Tong Le Yuan Vol. 6 is expected to follow in the success of their predecessors.
And like their previous efforts, the four girls also had a ball of a time shooting the
accompanying full-length music videos.
"We had lots of fun shooting the MTVs in places like Suria Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Petaling
Street and Shah Alam," said Chin Er.
Min Er chipped in: "We particularly liked shooting the MTV for Cutie-Pie, as we got to don
various colourful hair wigs and goggles. Moreover, we didn't have to follow any choreographed
dance routines as the director gave us free rein to do any steps we liked."
The four girls are in the midst of shooting an edutainment video, Wayang Tinggi's Arithmetic
Centre, which teaches viewers about calculations through songs and skits.
Chin Er said: "We play pupils learning about multiplication and division from teachers
(portrayed by grown-ups), while two other girls' groups in Cutie 2 Cutie and Japanese Wa Wa
are taught the basics in addition and subtraction respectively."
Local singer-composer Ciang Teng wrote all the four songs for the video.
The Four Golden Princesses will be staging two meet-the-fans sessions at the Hiong Kong
Supermarket in Sungai Buloh on April 28 at 8pm and at the Ipoh Parade on May 27 at 5pm.
GRAPHIC: With their inevitable transformation into pre-pubescent teens, the Little Golden
Princesses are diversifying their repertoire to include folk songs. Picture - All decked
up ... The Four Little Golden Princesses donning local traditional costumes for the shooting
of the We Love Malaysia' MTV.
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Winners of VCD Lucky Draw
February 26, 2001, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
The Lunar Year of the Snake has turned out to be a fruitful outing for 500 purchasers of two
festive video compact discs released by Brocita Corporation.
More than 20,000 entries were received for a lucky draw held in conjunction with the release
of Eight Superstars Greet The God Of Prosperity and Four Little Golden Princesses' Dance of
the Golden Snake VCDs.
Those who bought either of the two VCDs from last November until the
pre-Chinese New Year period had to send in the attached coupons to Brocita
in order to be entitled for the draw...
The two Chinese New Year VCDs were shot on location in Qing Island,
Shang Province, China, from Aug 25 to Sept 9 last year...
As for Dance of the Golden Snake, it sold more than 120,000 VCDs, albeit
5,000 less than its previous release, Most Lovable Dragon 2000...
GRAPHIC: Picture - Flashback ... The Four Little Golden Princesses with three deities
(seated front row) and some of the Eight Superstars offering prayers at the launch of their
VCDs last November.
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MTVs for the Lunar Year
November 29, 2000, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
Christmas carols, not to mention Hari Raya festive tunes, have not even begun
to fill the air when already, the strains of "Kong Hei Fatt Choy" can be heard
in shopping complexes.
Chinese New Year may only be less than two months away but as in every year,
recording companies always want to get an early start on the festivities and
to cash in on shoppers.
And as a marketing strategy, independent recording companies would start
shooting their music videos as early as August, picking exotic locations to
suit the theme.
Recording-cum-video company Brocita Corporation seems to have taken the lead
with its two festive releases for the Lunar Year of the Snake, which slithers
in on Jan 24.
In shooting the two video compact disc releases (Eight Superstars Greet The
God Of Prosperity and Dance of the Golden Snake by the Four Little Golden
Princesses) on location in Qing Island, Shang Province, China, from Aug 25 to
Sept 9, Brocita is sparing no expense in trying to emulate, if not better, the
success of its predecessors.
Last year's releases, Eight Superstars Millennium Celebrations and the Four
Little Golden Princesses' Most Lovable Dragon 2000, sold more than 100,000
copies and 125,000 copies respectively.
The Four Little Golden Princesses comprise Min-Er (real name is Eng Lee Min),
Jing-Er (Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Kai-Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong-Er (Lee Lian
Hong), all of whom are aged between nine and 11.
...The Four Little Golden Princesses were present for the recent launching of
the two VCDs held at the Mines Beach Resort & Spa in Seri Kembangan, Selangor,
which saw the artistes arriving for the event by boat.
For the Four Little Golden Princesses, it was only able to partially enjoy its
second term holidays as it was in China to shoot its CNY MTV.
Kai-Er said: "Unlike in the past, it was tougher this time as we had to shoot
until the wee hours of the morning and continue again at about 7am or 8am
after only getting less than four or five hours' sleep.
"But we didn't complain much as we got to see many beautiful places on the
island and also did many other interesting things, such as riding on mules."
Unlike their schoolmates, the quartet will not be enjoying its year-end
holidays as it will be joining the "Eight Superstars" on a nationwide
promotional tour.
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FLGP Wonderkids Take Flight
July 31, 2000, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
After having shot music videos using almost every backdrop conceivable, the Four Little Golden
Princesses have turned their attention upwards.
This time, one of their latest MTVs, Red Dragonfly, shows the quartet dangling from the ceiling,
but wire-supported, as to show them in flying mode, in keeping with the song's theme.
That was shot in an in-house studio before the Chinese New Year just after the four girls had
recorded the Mandarin album, Happy Wonderland Vol. 5.
It turned out to be a painful experience for Min Er (whose real name is Eng Lee Min), Chin Er
(Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee), but particularly so for Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong),
who developed a bruise around her stomach.
But though her three peers are looking forward to such an experience again, Hong Er is opting
out of it this time.
The Happy Wonderland Vol 5 album marks the first time that the Four Little Golden Princesses
are making a departure from their staple of children's or folk songs by attempting covers of
popular tunes originally rendered by Taiwanese, mainland Chinese and even Korean artistes.
The Red Dragonfly tune was popularised in the early 1990s by theTaiwanese pop trio, Young Tigers
(`Siu Fu Tui' in Cantonese), who comprised Nicky Wu Chi Lung, Tommy Su Yew Peng and Benny Chen
Chi Pong.
Red Dragonfly was also one of three tunes - the other two being Do Re Mi (to the tune from Sound
Of Music and Use Your Brain) that the quartet performed during their Press conference last
Friday.
Also included in the album are two original compositions, Beautiful Penang and Beautiful School.
Except for Red Dragonfly, the MTVs were shot on location in various places, such as Penang,
Malacca and Bukit Beruntung in Shah Alam.
Aged between nine and 11, the Four Little Golden Princesses have not let their popularity as
child singers affect their studies. Their recording/MTV shooting schedules are arranged for
weekends and school holidays that they do not clash with their classes.
In fact, the school holidays in September will find them going to China to shoot their Chinese
New Year music video. They will be in the Tsing Tao and Kwang Tao districts of Shandong
Province from Aug 25 to Sept 9.
The four girls know that while their classmates will be enjoying themselves during the school
break, they will be working. But after all, it's worth the sacrifice as they have maintained a
stranglehold of the local children's music scene since 1996.
The four girls have in fact known one another through the numerous singing contests which they
participated a few years ago ... when they had barely outgrown their diapers. They became the
Four Golden Princesses after a recording company decided to group them together and made their
MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
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Roaring Start to Lunar Year for WTE
March 10, 2000, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
Chinese New Year may be long gone, but for local recording company Wayang Tinggi Entertainment,
this Lunar Year of the Dragon will, hopefully, see the firm roaring with success. A good portent
of what the year will hold for WTE, a sister company of production house Wayang Tinggi Produksi,
is the overwhelming response to its two festive releases.
The two albums - Eight Superstars Millennium Celebrations and the Four Little Golden Princesses'
Most Lovable Dragon 2000 - were awarded platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of
Malaysia (RIM). The former received four platinum discs after achieving sales of more than
100,000 copies (in cassette, compact disc, music video and video CD formats), while the latter
got five platinum discs after grossing sales of more than 125,000 copies. (A RIM rule states
that to qualify for platinum disc status, an album must sell more than 25,000 copies in the
country.)
RIM's business development manager, Nicole Foo, presented the platinum discs to the singers
involved in the two albums. Also present were Vincent Keong, managing director of Wayang Tinggi
Holdings, and Jackson Chang, his counterpart at Brocita Corporation (which handles the
distribution of MTVs and VCDs), WTE executive director Penny Phan and Radio Five controller Chua
Yoke Peng.
The only artiste in the Eight Superstars Millennium Celebrations album who did not attend the
presentation was Ch'ng Shyue Chung, who was tied up with recording commitments. Those present
were Robin Leow, Andy Lok, Angel Lee Yin Ping, Xiao Peng Peng, singing sisters Summer Grace
(Kwok Yen Yen and Voon Voon) and Michelle Hsieh Cai Yuen of Taiwan. The Four Little Golden
Princesses comprised Min Er (real name is Eng Lee Min), Chin Er (Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er
(Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong). They are aged between nine and 11.
The singers said their achievements would not have been possible if not for the support from
fans and WTE. Leow, speaking for the other artistes, said: "The platinum feat was also the
result of good teamwork and the WTE's efforts."
Mark Tham, director of the two music videos, said the songs were selected from last June, with
the artistes going to Wuxi - which is two- and-a-half-hours away by car from Shanghai - two
months later to shoot the videos. Three locations were used - Tang City, Three Kingdoms City
and Water Margin City (the names were taken from the TV productions filmed there by Central
China TV Station).
WTE has certainly reaped the fruits of its investments as the production budget for both MTVs
was said to be in the region of RM100,000, with about RM20,000 of it going to costumes. Three
hundred mainland Chinese were hired for the filming of the Four Little Golden Princesses' MTV,
which also featured traditional dancers and chingay performers.
During the three-week location shoot in Wuxi, the Four Little Golden Princesses killed two birds
with one stone by filming part of their music video, Children's Playground Vol. 4, which was
released only recently by WTE.
At the Press conference, Chin Er said their latest release is different from previous recordings
as it contains folk tunes instead of children's songs. "We also had the chance to don different
costumes, such as sailor outfits and a-go-go wear," said Chin Er, who at 11 is considered the
"big sister" of the four.
Although Missing Snowman and Blowing Bubbles are their favourite tunes, they performed How Are
You and Grass of the Phoenix's Tail at the Press conference.
They were also overjoyed that Radio Five will be broadcasting their songs from Children's
Playground Vol. 4. This is the first time the station is airing their songs. In tandem with
this, Chua pressed a button to launch the airing of the album's songs on Radio Five….
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Early Birds in Festive Releases
December 9, 1999, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (WTE), the recording arm of the production house, has fired the
first salvo in the war of the Chinese New Year albums by being the earlybirds in releasing two
festive efforts last Sunday.
Though the Lunar Year of the Dragon will only blaze its way through in early February, WTE has
wasted no time in coming out with two Mandarin albums, Eight Superstars Millennium Celebrations
and the Four Little Golden Princesses' Most Lovable Dragon 2000.
WTE is hoping these two new releases will emulate, if not better, the success of last year's
festive efforts featuring almost the same line-ups of artistes, and which were shot on location
in China. The previous efforts by the Eight Superstars and Four Little Golden Princesses, shot
in Beijing, each sold more than 100,000 copies - in music video and video compact disc formats -
in Malaysia and another 450,000 copies in China. And this time the sales target is expected to
increase tremendously as the two new CNY efforts are set to be released in Taiwan.
WTE is also once again joining forces with Brocita Corporation on the production of the two
latest CNY MTVs and direct-selling company Genesis World is also helping out by sponsoring the
radio and newspaper advertising cost. Both the MTVs were shot in Wuxi, a two-and-a-half-hour's
drive by car from Shanghai, during a three-week period last August and September.
There were three locations used for the shooting in Wuxi - Tang City, Three Kingdoms City and
Water Margin City - the names of which originated from the TV productions that were shot there
by Central China TV Station.
The production budget for both MTVs was said to be in the region of RM100,000, with about
RM20,000 of it going to costumes alone. Three hundred mainland Chinese were hired for the
shooting of the Four Little Golden Princesses' MTV, which also featured traditional dancers
and chingay performers…
For the Four Little Golden Princesses, comprising Min Er (real name is Eng Lee Min), Chin Er
(Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong), they have a "guest
star" playing the God of Prosperity.
This marks the third time that six-year-old Loh Ke Hong, or fondly known as "Little Chubby",
has appeared in the quartet's MTVs and there are plans for him to come out with his own
recording next year.
Both the Four Little Golden Princesses, with Loh reprising his God of Prosperity role, and the
Eight Superstars performed at a special show at the Mines International Exhibition and Showroom
last Sunday in conjunction with the launching of their MTVs…
Those buying either of the two VCDs will get a bonus 30-minute-long VCD on the making of the
respective MTVs.
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Shot in the Arm for Artistes
November 30, 1999, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
A Malaysian direct-selling company is doing its part to help promote the Chinese music industry
in the country by sponsoring the advertising cost of two locally-produced Chinese New Year
albums.
Genesis World (M) Sdn Bhd, set up about six years ago as a distributor of health and beauty
products, is budgeting between RM60,000 and RM80,000 for the newspaper and radio advertisement
expenses of the Four Little Golden Princesses' Adorable Dragon Year and Millennium Celebrations
by the Eight Superstars….
Though the Year of the Dragon will only be roaring its way into the Chinese Lunar calendar in
early February, the two Mandarin albums - also available in music video and video compact disc
formats - will only be officially released by Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (WTE), a subsidiary
of the production house, at the Mines Wonderland this Sunday.
The sponsorship deal will be a `win-win' situation for both Genesis World and WTE contract as
it would help to boost the direct-selling company's corporate image. At the same time, Wayang
Tinggi Entertainment will also benefit, with the direct-selling company's 70,000 to 80,000
stockists in the country selling the two Chinese New Year releases to its over-200,000 members.
The sponsorship deal was signed by Andrew Goh, managing director of Genesis World, and his
Wayang Tinggi Produksi counterpart Vincent Keong at the the direct-selling company's head office
in Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Kuala Lumpur.
Witnessing the event was Jackson Chang, managing director of Brocita Corporation, which is the
co-producer and distributor of the two CNY releases, and Penny Phan, promotions manager of WTE.
Also present were the Four Little Golden Princesses and some of the singers featured in the CNY
releases. Goh said: "As our way of providing a service to the Chinese community, we will also be
sponsoring an hour-long Gong Xi Fa Cai special on TV2 though the time and date have not been
confirmed…
Our aim of sponsoring the advertising cost of WTE's CNY releases is to help the albums reach a
record-high sales volume. For next year, we plan to promote more local singers, whereby we will
also be sponsoring concerts by Malaysian, instead of foreign artistes," said Goh.
Keong said it was "fated" for WTE to be working hand-in-hand with Genesis World. About
RM250,000, of which RM20,000 went to costumes alone, was spent on shooting the two CNY releases
on location in Wuxi, near Shanghai, in September.
Meanwhile, those who buy either one of WTE's two CNY releases are also entitled to take part in
a lucky draw, provided they fill in the enclosed forms and return them to Genesis World, which
is offering prizes such as handphones and TV sets.
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Big Battle of Little Girls
August 27, 1999, New Straits Times, by Ricky Yap
The Little Suns are going head-to-head with the Four Little Golden Princesses. The two rival
girl quartets have released Mandarin music video collections of children's songs - with
similar titles - at the same time.
The Little Suns have come out with Children's Wonderland Vol: 2 - Small Animals while the Four
Little Golden Princesses have released Children's Wonderland Vol: 3. The former focuses on
different animals while the latter preaches the importance of exercise for good health.
The Little Suns - comprising Ha Siao X, 8; Ee Pei Ling, 7; Koh Swee Yen, 6; and Tong Hor Hooi,
5 - was formed by Sound Life Records last year to give the Four Little Golden Princesses and
other child singers such as Crystal Ong Shir Ching and Xiao Nee Nee, a run for their money.
The Princesses are Min Er (real name Eng Lee Min), Chin Er (Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er (Ee Kai
Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong).
The members of the Little Suns and Four Little Golden Princesses also share another factor -
each has won singing contests before.
In line with its wildlife theme, the video CD of the Little Suns' latest release, their third
to date, comes with a mini-sized stuffed animal. This gimmick may see them going one up on the
Princesses' release, which doesn't come with any freebie.
But the long reign of these four "mini-royals" as the No. 1 Chinese children's music group will
stand them in good stead once again.
After all, the Princesses have been churning out hit albums one after another since 1996, while
the Little Suns is less than a year old.
The Princesses' new album comprises six four-in-one medleys, while the Little Suns render
tunes in theirs.
Nevertheless, both quartets have used Malaysian locales for their video shoots, the Little Suns
in Genting Highlands, the Butterfly Park in Penang, Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark in Perak and
an orang asli settlement near Rawang and the Princesses in Kuala Lumpur, Klang and Teluk Intan.
Much money has also been spent on the costumes for their videos. The Little Suns are dressed
up as animals and also wear outdoor clothes sponsored by Pusat Pakaian Hari Harian in Ipoh,
while the Princesses wear everything from Taiwanese aboriginal skirts to Western coat-tails
complete with top hats.
The Princesses will be going to China at the end of this month for the shoot of the fourth
volume of Children's Wonderland and also a Chinese New Year album.
Apart from having one another to keep them company, the girls will have their mothers along to
keep things in order. The Little Suns, meanwhile, will probably shoot their Chinese New Year
video in Malaysia. The Princesses staged a charity performance in conjunction with the first
anniversary of its fan club at the Love Malaysia exposition at the MINES showroom in Seri
Kembangan last Sunday.
GRAPHIC: The rivalry between the Little Suns and Four Little Golden Princesses is heating up.
Picture - Not child's play ... The Four Little Golden Princesses (left) and The Little Suns are
slugging it out at the music stores.
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Still the Top Child Act
April 2, 1999, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
Despite stiff competition from clone groups of cutie-pies and child singers, local group Four
Little Golden Princesses are still holding fast as the top child act in the country since
releasing their debut album in 1996.
And all signs point to the fact that the four - Min Er (real name is Eng Lee Min), Chin Er
(Jenny Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong) - will not be
relinquishing their rule.
This is attested by the sales figures of their Chinese New Year release, which grossed a total
sales figure of 100,000 copies (50,000 VCDs, 40,000 music videos and 10,000 cassettes).
And mind you, this figure could have been higher if the music pirates had not got into the act.
The Four Little Golden Princesses hope to emulate that success with their latest Mandarin MTV,
Children's Playground Vol 2 (or "Er Tung Lert Yen Vol 2"), which was released on March 12.
Their new effort was shot during the school holidays on location in Beijing last September,
where their production company Wayang Tinggi Entertainment killed two birds with one stone by
also filming their Chinese New Year Special.
However, Malaysian locales were also used for some of the music videos in Children's Playground
Vol 2.
Even though they are aged between eight and 10, the Four Little Golden Princesses had no
problem shooting their latest MTV. "We enjoyed it as it was a lot of fun and we get to don
different outfits, such as Arabian costumes, and play all sorts of roles, like chefs," said
Chin Er, aged 10.
Since they were still in their tender years, the four could only afford monosyllable answers
as they were more interested in playing among themselves during the Press conference.
Their mothers, who were also present, said the four girls showed they could cope with their
musical careers by getting good scores in their school tests.
"After all, Wayang Tinggi arranged the shooting sessions during the school holidays so that
the girls' studies would not be affected," said one mother.
With that in mind, the two-week school vacation in late May-early June will not find the four
girls taking a break. They will, in fact, be travelling around Malaysia to shoot the third
volume of Children's Playground.
Those who buy the VCD and MTV versions of Children's Playground Vol 2, containing 14
three-in-one medleys, will receive free Ginvera Garfield products.
The four girls have in fact known one another through the numerous singing contests which they
participated a few years ago ... when they had barely outgrown their diapers. They became the
Four Golden Princesses after a recording company decided to group them together and made their
MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
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Early Start to Year of Rabbit for Chinese Artistes
December 12, 1998, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
A quartet of singing cutie-pies and their adult counterparts are getting an early start for the
Year of the Rabbit by staging meet-the-fans sessions in conjunction with the release of their
Chinese New Year albums.
The Four Little Golden Princesses, comprising Min Er (real name Eng Lee Min), Chin Er (Keong
Hueh Chin), Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong), will be staging the first of their
three appearances at the concourse of Plaza Angsana in Tampoi, Johor Baru, at 8pm today.
They are expected to sing songs from their festive release, Dancing Dragons Dazzle in Beijing
City. They were in the Chinese capital last September for location shooting of their music video.
The quartet will also be at the Leisure Mall in Cheras on Christmas Eve for another appearance
at 8pm.
The Four Little Golden Princesses, who are with Wayang Tinggi Entertainment, will also be
performing with eight of their adult counterparts at a charity show at the Thean Hou Temple,
off Jalan Syed Putra, on Dec 30 at 7.30pm….
The show is to raise a targeted RM20,000 for the Sau Seng Lum Haemodialysis Centre, in Jalan
1/5, Petaling Jaya, which is run by a non- profit religious organisation.
Invitation cards for the show, available for donations of RM10, RM20 and RM50, can be obtained
by contacting the following persons - Mrs Yap of Sau Sen Lum (03-7927546), Mr Ooi of Thean Hou
Temple (03-2747088), Penny Phan of Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (03-2432828) and Hsu Fang of
Brocita (03-9822852)…
Both the MTVs by the eight adult artistes and Four Little Golden Princesses were made at a cost
of more than RM500,000.
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As Easy as ABC
September 27, 1998, Sunday Mail, by Ricky Yap
A local song-and-dance quartet has cashed in on their popularity by coming out with an
educational tape that uses entertainment to teach children.
This Mandarin/English edutainment outing, ABC Xiao Tien Di, features the Four Golden
Princesses, who are Min Er (real name is Eng Lee Min), Chin Er (Keong Hueh Chin), Kai Er
(Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong).
Their latest album, released in cassette, MTV and VCD by Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (a
subsidiary of the production house), is considered to be the first local production of its
kind in Malaysia although the market has been flooded by Singaporean-made edutainment tapes.
Since the four girls are aged between seven and nine, and could not possibly be teaching their
own peers, singer Elaine Kang has been roped in to help out.
"I play a big sister to the Four Golden Princesses, who have to save a bear that has fallen
into a hole by learning all the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet. These lessons are skilfully
assimilated into five song-and-dance numbers performed by the four girls. There is also a
voice-over providing the correct pronunciation and enunciation," said Kang.
"This is the first time I have worked with the quartet and have found them to be a brilliant
and obedient lot. They can pick up pointers quickly. My co-operation on the album has given me
the idea of setting up my own kindergarten. But I must first look for a business partner to
help me run it."
Wayang Tinggi also roped in two boys and a girl to help out in the MTV. Kang is in the midst of
selecting songs for her album, which she plans
to record with full orchestral backing.
The Four Golden Princesses had a lot of fun in shooting the MTV version in an indoor studio.
"It was not tough at all compared to our previous MTVs, where we had to shoot under the blazing
sun while wearing thick, heavy costumes," said Chin Er, aged nine.
"We had lots of fun and we feel proud at being given the honour of teaching other kids the
alphabet," she added, as she and the three other "princesses" squealed in unison.
The quartet did not have a chance to catch the Commonwealth Games action during the recent
school holidays as they were in Beijing to shoot an MTV for the Chinese New Year.
All the CNY MTVs of the Four Golden Princesses have been best-sellers and Wayang Tinggi has
done its utmost to ensure that their forthcoming effort will blaze another trail of success.
The four girls got to know each another through the numerous singing contests in which they
had participated a few years ago. They became the Four Golden Princesses after a recording
company decided to group them together and they made their MTV debut in a compilation effort
in August 1996.
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It’s Not All Child’s Play
May 8, 1998, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
Taking the hard knocks in life has taken on a literal meaning for two members of local girl
group Four Golden Princesses. Min Er (whose real name is Eng Lee Min) and Chin Er (Keong Hueh
Chin) suffered head injuries while shooting their latest Mandarin music video, Children's
Playground, in Semenyih, Selangor, last March.
"The two girls were sitting on a swing hanging from a tree which we had earlier tested by
getting one of our big-sized production crew members to sit on it," said Marianne Leong, senior
promotions executive of Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (the girls' recording company).
"All of a sudden, the ropes snapped when Min Er and Chin Er were being swung seven or eight
feet in the air. They fell to the ground but fortunately, only suffered minor head bruises.
"They were given immediate medical attention and after a week's rest, continued filming."
The other two girls, Kai Er (Ee Kai Chee) and Hong Er (Lee Lian Hong), were at the time waiting
for their turn to sit on the swing.
Apart from that frightening experience, it was smooth going for the Four Golden Princesses
during the filming of the music video.
And it seems the painful experience of Min Er and Chin Er has not been in vain - the MTV
version of Children's Playground, which cost about RM80,000, has sold more than 20,000 copies
in Malaysia since its release on April 13.
Chin Er, nine, said: "We had the most fun filming this MTV compared to our previous MTVs. We
got to dress up in an assortment of characters, such as tigers, ducks and Chinese maidens."
All in, the quartet completed 42 segments for the songs on Children's Playground, their sixth
MTV so far. There are 14 medleys of three tunes each - all children's songs - on the MTV.
Min Er, Kai Er and Hong Er are only seven and are in Standard Two. The four girls got to know
one another through the numerous singing contests which they had taken part in a few years ago
... when they were barely out of their diapers.
They became the Four Golden Princesses after a recording company decided to group them together,
and made their MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
The group will meet their fans at Selayang Mall in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and at Phoenix
Plaza in Cheras on Sunday. Both sessions will start at 3pm.
The school holidays will see the girls teaming up with local singers Angel Lee Yin Ping and
Sze Sze on a promotional tour of Borneo.
From Monday to May 14, they will be in Sarawak, performing at the Dewan Suara in Kuching,
Sarikei and Miri. The shows will start at 7pm.
On May 15, they will perform at the school hall of SM Kuala Perai in Bandar Seri Begawan,
followed by another show at SM Chung Hua, also in Brunei, on May 16. Show time is 7pm.
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Four Platinum Princesses
January 25, 1998, Sunday Mail
Girl group The Four Golden Princesses received an early angpow last week when they received
a platinum disc to honour the quartet's latest effort, New Year `98, which reached a combined
sales figure of more than 25,000 copies in music video and video compact discs in Malaysia,
Singapore and Indonesia last December - their third platinum disc since becoming recording
artistes about two years ago.
Three of them - Eng Lee Min (known by her stage name Min Er), Ee Kai Chee (Kai Er), Lee Lian
Hong (Hong Er) - are only seven-years-old and are in Standard Two while and the fourth, Keong
Hueh Chin (Chin Er), is a Standard Four pupil who is nine.
"I'm looking forward to more angpow in the Year of the Tiger," said Chin-Er.
For Hong Er, from Ipoh, New Year means visiting her grandparents' place in Bukit Mertajam
while Kai-Er will be going to Singapore with her family. Chin Er was not present as she is
preparing for exams.
The four girls got to know each other through the numerous singing contests in which they
took part when they had barely outgrown their diapers. They became the Four Golden Princesses
after a recording company decided to group them together and made their MTV debut in a
compilation effort in August 1996.
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Happy with New Contracts
October 30, 1997, Malay Mail-WTM, by Ricky Yap
A young local female singing quartet has been given a new lease of life in their recording
career.
The Four Golden Princesses' future looked uncertain a couple of months ago after their parents
resorted to legal action against the group's recording company for non-payment of contractual
fees.
After releasing five Mandarin albums and four music videos, the parents had claimed they had
only received partial payment for one-and-a-half albums from Ya-Ko Enterprise, which signed
up their daughters as the Four Golden Princesses about two years ago.
The four girls are Eng Lee Min (or known by her stage name of "Min Er"), Ee Kai Chee ("Kai Er"),
Lee Lian Hong ("Hong Er") and Keong Hueh Chin ("Chin Er"). The first three are seven years old
while Hueh Chin is nine.
However, Steven Chong, the parents' lawyer, said they have recently reached an out-of-court
settlement with Ya-Ko, though he refused to divulge the actual amount.
This meant that Ya-Ko's contracts with the Four Golden Princesses has been rescinded and the
quartet were free to join another recording company.
And Oct 1, the girls became full-fledged artistes of Wayang Tinggi Entertainment (WTE), an
off-shoot of the local production house. Ya-Ko had a hand in the quartet's move to WTE.
"Last September, the boss of Ya-Ko had a discussion with one of our directors about releasing
the Four Golden Princesses to WTE," said Penny Phan, WTE's promotions manager.
"Soon after, we reached an agreement on the terms and conditions and the parents signed
five-year contracts on behalf of their daughters with WTE on Oct 1."
As a result, Ya-Ko has given the distribution rights to WTE for the Four Golden Princesses'
Chinese New Year album, which had actually been recorded last June.
Phan said: "We will also be shooting a music video in various locations in the Klang Valley
and Penang to coincide with the album's release in the next few weeks."
The four girls were simply delighted about their latest move, which they likened to switching
families. "We are happy about joining WTE as the new contracts offer better conditions and
also more money for our parents," said the quartet in unison and almost simultaneously
squealing in giggles.
Nevertheless, the girls said this has not in any way affected their studies as all of them have
been getting above-average results.
And they've also reached celebrity status of sorts in their schools. "Some of our classmates
have bought our albums or videos while others have asked us for our autographs or to take
pictures us," said Hueh Chin, who is in Standard Three while the other three are in Standard
One.
The girls had in fact known one another through the numerous singing contests which they took
part in. And Ya-Ko recruited them from these contests and newspaper advertisements to form the
Four Golden Princesses, where they made their MTV debut in a compilation effort in August 1996.
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“Princesses” to Sue Company
September 19, 1997, Malay Mail
The parents of an all-girls quartet - known as the "Four Golden Princesses" - are taking legal
action against an independent Chinese recording company for non-payment of contractual fees.
After releasing five Mandarin albums and four music videos, the parents claim they only
received partial payment for one-and-a-half albums from Ya-Ko Enterprise, which signed up
their daughters as the "Four Golden Princesses" two years ago.
The four are Eng Lee Min (whose stage name is Min Er), Ee Kai Kee (Kai Er), Lee Lian Hong
(Hong Er) and Keong Hueh Chin (Chin Er). The first three are seven while Hueh Chin is eight.
One of the mothers, Mrs Ee, claimed that according to the terms of the recording contract,
Ya-Ko was supposed to pay each of them RM1.50 and 50sen for every cassette and music video
sold respectively.
"To date, we have only received RM10,000 each since the first cassette and MTV were released
last year," she said.
"Based on sales figures for the cassette tape and MTV releases by the girls, we should have
received more than RM100,000 each by now."
The girls have received platinum disc awards for their first two music videos, grossing more
than 50,000 copies each.
Their follow-up cassettes and MTVs were also said to have chalked up similar figures, as shown
in documents provided by their parents at a recent Press conference in Petaling Jaya.
The lawyer for the parents, who requested anonymity, said this was a case of fundamental
breach of contract where there is non-payment of monies for services rendered.
"I was approached by the parents a few weeks ago to take up the case. They have tried to
pressure Ya-Ko for payment and were hoping for a turnaround in the situation but all attempts
were in vain," said the lawyer.
"We sent Ya-Ko a notice (which expired on Sept 15) to abide by the contract clauses and received
a `less-than-satisfactory' reply from its lawyers."
The lawyer said their next course of action would be to check Ya-Ko's accounts and sue the
company for whatever is owing to the girls and their parents.
A Ya-Ko spokesman said the matter has been left in the hands of the firm's lawyers and refused
further comment.
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“Midas” Liew Does It Again
December 18, 1996, Malay Mail, by Ricky Yap
Liew Kam Poh works his `Midas touch' on the local Chinese music scene again. This time, the boss
of recording company Ya-Ko Enterprise has roped in four young girls to emulate the success of
his earlier `golden finds', like Ong Shir Ching and Five Golden Flowers, whose music videos have
sold more than 40,000 copies each.
Indeed, Liew's roping in of talented young girls with good vocal skills and cute looks to appear
in MTVs has struck a popular chord with the masses. He was taking a cue from the earlier success
of the MTVs by the Seven Fairies, which his company helped to produce.
Other companies also jumped on the bandwagon, coming out with albums by their own `small'
discoveries.
They also caught on when Liew introduced MTVs featuring a young Chinese girl, Ong Shir Ching,
into the local Chinese music market about three years ago and she became a sensation.
Though the Five Golden Flowers have outgrown themselves (and their popularity), Liew hopes his
Midas touch will continue to work with the Four Golden Princesses (or known as "Sei Chin Kam").
The four youngsters have yet to shed their baby teeth but they already have three Mandarin MTVs
to their credit. Their latest is the Happy Chinese New Year Song Festival.
Liew says they have also completed filming another MTV which will be released after the Chinese
New Year.
"I got these girls through newspaper advertisements and scouting around singing contests. The
four actually made their MTV debut in a compilation effort in August last year," says Liew.
"And their first MTV of nursery rhymes sold more than 60,000 copies when it was released
earlier this year and even now, we are still getting repeat orders. The follow-up effort
garnered sales of 40,000 copies.
"We will be releasing a laser disc version combining these two volumes by month's end."
Liew adds that the latest MTV costs about RM60,000 to produce and was shot over three months in
places such as Thean Hou Temple (ever a video producer's favourite shooting ground) in Kuala
Lumpur, Malacca, Penang and Genting Highlands.
The four girls are Eng Lee Min (or known by her stage name of "Min Er"), Ee Kai Kee ("Kai Er"),
Lee Lian Hong ("Hong Er") and Keong Hueh Chin ("Chin Er"). The first three are six years old and
will be starting their Standard One classes when school reopens. Hueh Chin is one year older and
will be in Standard Two.
All of them agreed that they had a tough time shooting the Chinese New Year MTV. "But at the end
of it, each of us received a RM100 ang pau," the quartet said in unison.
The Four Golden Princesses will be in Sarawak from Dec 22-25 for a series of promotional
appearances.
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