Latest news with #Yu
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
The last traditional pastry mould maker in Guangzhou races against machines
Speaking Mandarin with a strong Cantonese accent, Yu Zhaoji worked swiftly yet steadily on a piece of wood shaped like a pizza peel – only narrower and thicker – using his specialised carving knife. Within minutes, delicate carved lines appeared along the circular groove in the wood, forming the perfect base for a mooncake mould. It is a craft the 65-year-old artisan has honed over half a century, continuing a family tradition that spans some 160 years. Yu's family business, Yu Tong Shop, is the last remaining maker of handmade traditional Cantonese pastry moulds in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province and a heartland of Cantonese culture. Founded by Yu's great-great-grandfather in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Yu Tong Shop has been producing hand-carved moulds for a wide range of traditional Cantonese pastries – not only mooncakes, but also dowry cakes and phoenix cookies – serving restaurants, pastry shops and households alike. For centuries, handmade moulds have played a vital role in crafting Cantonese pastries, with dough pressed into beautifully carved patterns set within grooves of various shapes. Before machines began replacing manual labour in mould making around the 2000s, Yu Tong Shop was bustling with orders from restaurants and bakeries, especially during its peak years between the 1970s and 1990s. Today, according to Yu, handmade moulds have all but disappeared from Guangzhou's food industry, as their intricate carving and polishing processes make them far more expensive than machine-made alternatives. 'You know, speed is everything in today's world,' he said, without a pause in his hands as he continued to carve. The ICH district features 12 shops showcasing traditional arts and crafts, like Canton enamel. — Daderot/Wikimedia Commons Speed, nevertheless, is the very opposite of pastry mould carving, a craft that demands years of learning and practice to master. The wood used for mould making must go through a two-year air-drying process before carving can begin, and crafting a handmade pastry mould involves dozens of meticulous steps. Still, Yu believes machines will never surpass humans in his craft. 'Machine work is too uniform. It has no soul,' he said, adding that handmade pieces are inherently unique, much like how the left and right sides of a person's face can never be exactly the same. Yu still makes and sells pastry moulds to high-end restaurants in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, as well as to clients in Australia, the United States, and, as he puts it, 'wherever there are Chinese'. 'After all, their roots are here, and they have profound sentiments for traditions and traditional things,' he said. Yu noted that he doesn't worry too much about passing down the mould carving craft to the next generation of his family, who have chosen what he calls 'more profitable' career paths. He has also taken on a few apprentices, though for them, mould carving remains just a hobby. Still, Yu hopes this ancestral craft will endure for generations to come. The traditional wooden moulds used for shaping mooncakes are made by hand. — Filepic In August 2020, Guangzhou's first intangible cultural heritage (ICH) district opened to the public. It is part of the Yongqing Block, a historic downtown community revitalised by a renovation project launched by the local government in 2016. The government aims to use the ICH district, which offers space for the display and sale of 12 intangible cultural heritage traditions of Guangzhou, to promote the integration of culture and tourism, as well as the preservation and continuation of traditional craftsmanship. Yu Tong Shop was relocated from its original site to the ICH district, where it became a master's studio alongside 11 other traditional arts and crafts, including Canton enamel, Canton embroidery, bone carving and lion dancing. In his new store front, Yu now demonstrates his carving techniques to curious tourists visiting the Yongqing Block – a popular destination in Guangzhou – from across China and abroad. He also provides pastry mould carving workshops, both commercial sessions open to the public and non-commercial ones supported and subsidised by the government. Participants span all age groups, from young children to seniors. 'Some participants join the workshops for fun, and some to challenge themselves,' he said. According to Yu, handmade items continue to appeal to many enthusiasts since they are crafted with heart and imbued with 'warmth and emotion'. 'If you've made (a mould) yourself, even if it's not perfect, the pastries made with it will taste better,' Yu said. 'It's hard to put into words,' he added after a thoughtful pause. – Xinhua
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Singapore actor Ayden Sng gets publicity boost in China for upcoming shows
Singaporean actor Ayden Sng's career in China has been given a boost after top Chinese producer and screenwriter Yu Zheng posted about him on social media. Sng, 31, is represented in China by Chinese production company Huanyu Entertainment – co-founded by Yu – as part of a partnership between Huanyu and Mediacorp's artiste management arm The Celebrity Agency. 'Recently, many friends have noticed our artiste Ayden Sng, who is one of the top 100 handsome faces in the world,' Yu wrote on May 24. The 47-year-old was referring to the Mediacorp artiste placing ninth on TC Candler's The 100 Most Handsome Faces list released in December 2024. 'He looked cool in his previous magazine photo shoot, but I didn't realise that he could be so thoughtful when he was making coffee off-camera,' Yu added. Sng recently acted in Chinese period romance drama Perfect Match, his first production in China, which aired in January and February. Best known for producing the period drama Story Of Yanxi Palace (2018), Yu said that many netizens have since noticed that Sng was the actor who played the role of Yan Zimei in Perfect Match. 'Now that you know, please pay more attention to Ayden Sng's Weixiao Yihaodian and Feud,' Yu said, referring to Sng's upcoming shows. Sng thanked Yu under the post, writing: 'I will definitely work hard and live up to your trust.' The actor is set to appear in Chinese upcoming reality show Weixiao Yihaodian, which can be translated as Smile Cafe No. 1. The series features 35 celebrity trainees who will go through almost a month of professional training before being divided into groups. They will then go to different cities in China to run beverage stores, and take part in product development and store operations, according to a synopsis of the show. The reality show is led by veteran Chinese actor Tang Guoqiang, who is best known for portraying Chinese leader Mao Zedong in movies and TV series. Sng, who has changed his Weibo name to 'Ayden Sng of Weixiao Yihaodian', shared about the reality series on his account. 'I will do my best to develop food and beverages and present perfect works for you,' he wrote in Chinese, posting a promotional poster of himself on the show. Sng will also act in upcoming Chinese fantasy series Feud, which stars Chinese actress Bai Lu and Chinese actor Joseph Zeng. In Singapore, Sng has been nominated for the Most Popular Rising Stars award at Mediacorp's Star Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for July 6. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Singapore actor Ayden Sng gets publicity boost in China for upcoming shows
Singaporean actor Ayden Sng is represented in China by Chinese production company Huanyu Entertainment - co-founded by Yu Zheng. PHOTO: YU ZHENG/WEIBO Singaporean actor Ayden Sng's career in China has been given a boost after top Chinese producer and screenwriter Yu Zheng posted about him on social media. Sng, 31, is represented in China by Chinese production company Huanyu Entertainment – co-founded by Yu – as part of a partnership between Huanyu and Mediacorp's artiste management arm The Celebrity Agency. 'Recently, many friends have noticed our artiste Ayden Sng , who is one of the top 100 handsome faces in the world,' Yu wrote on May 24. The 47-year-old was referring to the Mediacorp artiste placing ninth on TC Candler's The 100 Most Handsome Faces list released in December 2024. 'He looked cool in his previous magazine photoshoot, but I didn't realise that he could be so thoughtful when he was making coffee offline,' Yu added. Sng recently acted in Chinese period romance drama Perfect Match, his first production in China, which aired in January and February. Best known for helming the period drama Story Of Yanxi Palace (2018), Yu said that many netizens have since noticed that Sng was the actor who played the role of Yan Zimei in Perfect Match. 'Now that you know, please pay more attention to Ayden Sng's Weixiao Yihaodian and Feud,' Yu said, referring to Sng's upcoming shows. Sng thanked Yu under the post, writing: 'I will definitely work hard and live up to your trust.' The actor is set to appear in Chinese upcoming reality show Weixiao Yihaodian, which can be translated as Smile Cafe No. 1. The series features 35 celebrity trainees who will go through almost a month of professional training before they are divided into groups. They will then go to different cities in China to run beverage stores, and take part in product development and store operations, according to a synopsis of the show. The reality show is led by veteran Chinese actor Tang Guoqiang, who is best known for portraying Chinese leader Mao Zedong in movies and TV series. Sng, who has changed his Weibo name to 'Ayden Sng of Weixiao Yihaodian', shared about the reality series on his account. 'I will do my best to develop food and beverages and present perfect works for you,' he wrote in Chinese, posting a promotional poster of himself on the show. Sng will also act in upcoming Chinese fantasy series Feud, which stars Chinese actress Bai Lu and Chinese actor Joseph Zeng. In Singapore, Sng has been nominated for Most Popular Rising Star Award at Mediacorp's Star Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for July 6. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Pink Villa
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 9: Shinji Teams Up With Kureha—Recap, Release Date And More
In ' Zinnia and the Whereabouts of Passion,' the school files a formal complaint against Yu's family store to calm the angry parents. Yu considers quitting jewellery-making, which troubles Himari. When she expresses missing his passion, Yu wrongly concludes he's only valued for his work. Hibari explains Yu wasn't prepared for fame, making criticism hard to handle, and insists Himari must support him better. Rion helps Yu realize he creates jewellery to see Himari smile. They reconcile, while Shinji secretly welcomes Kureha, who arrives seeking revenge. Expected plot in Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 9 Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 9 will likely focus on whether Yu resumes creating accessories following his reunion with Himari. His emotional recovery may lead him to reclaim his passion or maintain a cautious distance from it. Meanwhile, Kureha's sudden appearance—backed by Shinji—promises Yu's fledgling business more trouble. Her unclear motives and interest in punishing someone suggest conflict ahead, possibly targeting Yu or Himari. Her presence may push Yu and Himari into new confrontations, especially if Shinji continues manipulating the situation. Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 9, titled 'Love's Chocolate Cosmos,' will be airing in Japan on Friday, May 30, 2025, beginning at 10:30 pm JST on Tokyo MX and AT-X. Due to time zone differences, international audiences may see it slightly earlier. Additional Japanese broadcasts will follow on BS Asahi, Kansai TV, and TV Miyazaki. Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? Episode 9 will also stream on ABEMA during the TV premiere and later on services like U-NEXT, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Crunchyroll will stream it internationally. For more updates from the Can A Boy-Girl Friendship Survive? anime, stay tuned to Pinkvilla.
eNCA
6 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Yu Zidi (12) set for world stage after stunning swims
SHENZHEN - Chinese 12-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi could be the brightest young star at this year's world championships after producing a string of eye-popping performances this week. Yu, in her striking "doggy" swim cap, rounded off a sensational China national swimming championships in Shenzhen by winning the women's 400m individual medley by almost two seconds on Saturday. Roared on by packed crowds in the southern city which borders Hong Kong, Yu crushed a quality field in a lifetime best 4min 35.53sec. Yu's time was comfortably inside the world qualifying standard of 4:43.06, the fifth fastest time of the year and would have been good enough for fourth place at the Paris Olympics. Second was Chang Mohan, who touched more than a body length adrift in 4:37.33, followed by Li Bingjie in 4:38.66. It came just a few days after the 12-year-old's 200m butterfly gold in a scarcely believable 2:06.83, also fifth fastest in the world this year and another time that would have garnered a fourth place in Paris. "My lungs were about to explode!" Yu said after that win, according to state news agency Xinhua. "I didn't know my time. I just focused on my pace, stroke-by-stroke." Yu started the week-long China championships by taking second in the 200m individual medley behind Paris Olympian Yu Yiting, with another world-qualifying time of 2:10.63. That prompted the global governing body, World Aquatics, to post: "12-year-old sensation alert!" on X. The China meet serves as trials for the world championships, which take place in Singapore from July 27 to August 3, with the top two in each event eligible for selection, provided they have met the qualifying standard. Yu said it would be "cool... to compete internationally in a swimsuit adorned with the national flag and my doggy cap", reported Xinhua, giving a nod to her black-and-white swim cap emblazoned with a cartoon puppy. China's swimming association told AFP it would finalise its team for the worlds after the national championships concluded on Saturday, without confirming if Yu would be included or giving a date for a squad announcement. Yu, who turns 13 in October, trains in the northern province of Hebei and has been earmarked as a "prodigy" by Chinese state media since first making national headlines last year.
