He has been making waves in the US recently, thanks to a television series, Into The Badlands.

The martial arts series has been renewed for a second season.

US actor Daniel Wu, 42, is now in Dublinfilming the second season of Into The Badlands, which revolves around his character Sunny and a young boy as they journey through a dangerous feudal land seeking enlightenment.

Wu may be a seasoned actor in Hong Kong with his martial arts background, but he still finds the gruelling expectations of the show a little hard to handle.

He told TNP over the telephone on Tuesday that filming 11 or 12 fight scenes in the 10-episode series was “physically demanding” as they were shot at a “relentless pace”.

“In the first season, we shot in New Orleans during the summer so it was very hot. The temperature felt like 42 deg C and the humidity level was at 90 per cent, something like Singapore,” he said.

“We were wearing our leather jackets and fought in it every single day. I think I shot six days a week for three months straight and the heat was unbearable.

“I think that (dealing with the weather) was one of the most demanding parts of the role. And then in Ireland, it is extremely cold.”

He has a daughter, Raven, three, with his wife, actress Lisa Selesner, and filming in Ireland, with its shorter working hours, means he can see her more often.

Finding time to spend with his family has been difficult for Wu, because he has had only one day off each week.

ASIAN ROOTS

Said Wu: “Ireland requires people to work only 10 hours a day, so at least I can get home at 6pm for family time, unlike in Hong Kong where you have to work about 17 hours.

“Luckily my wife is at home in Ireland with Raven as she isn’t working much now.”

Wu is enjoying a good run in Hollywood.

He had a meaty role in the blockbuster action flick Warcraft, and is also a voicing role in Skylanders Academy, an animated Netflix show that has been renewed for a second season next year.

Wu is also not forgotten in Asia. His latest Hong Kong film Sky On Fire opens here today.

The Ringo Lam actioner sees Wu playing a security guard protecting a drug that can extend a person’s life. The movie also stars Zhang Jingchu, Simon Yam and Leon Lai.

Said Wu: “Lam asked me to act in his film, Wild City, last year but my mother fell ill then so I couldn’t do it. I felt bad.

“I grew up watching his movies and I loved them so much. I was afraid that I wouldn’t have the chance to work with him again.”

Wu added: “Thankfully we met again and he told me that he wanted to work with me again for Sky On Fire, and I agreed straightaway.”

As for whether he would choose Hollywood over Asia, Wu said he has no preferences.

“But I must see which side has a better working environment, or whether the storyline or character I’m playing is intriguing.

“I don’t care whether the project is Asian or Hollywood. As long as I’m interested, I’ll go.”

I don’t care whether the project is Asian or Hollywood. As long as I’m interested, I’ll go.

– Actor Daniel Wu

The daughter of Singaporean billionaire and Valencia owner Peter Lim is standing by her critical comments on Instagram of the Spanish La Liga club’s fans.

Among other things, Miss Kim Lim said the fans “can be quite crazy and stupid” and added: “So, stop writing stupid comments because you make yourself very filthy.”

The 24-year-old also stated in another post that she has “had enough” of the fans’ hateful comments, so she is “giving it back” to them.

She told The New Paper in a phone interview from the UK that initially, she did not allow the racist and lewd comments to affect her, but the insulting comments about her dad and the racist attitude of some of the fans were the last straw.

She said: “I couldn’t take it any more. I told myself that enough was enough, enough of getting bullied.”

According to Miss Lim, it started when she was on holiday in Manchester, UK, where she was also taking a look at her father’s hotel because she will be helping out in its Asian expansion.

She then posted a photo of tickets to a match between Manchester United and Arsenal, followed by a photo of her father’s room number, which bore his name and her lucky number.

“I saw it and sent a photo of it to my dad. I felt very touched as that number meant something to me – it is the day I was born,” she said.

“He told me that he loves me a lot, so I posted it as gratitude to him.”

But things turned ugly.

BLOWN OUT OF 
PROPORTION

“I knew that if I posted that picture, something would happen, which was why I said that I’d be heading to Valencia after the match,” she said.

“I didn’t know that things would be blown out of proportion.

“Before my dad bought Valencia, I was already a fan of Man U. But it doesn’t mean that if I support Man U, I don’t support Valencia.”

Comments from fans started pouring in and their reactions were extreme, accusing Miss Lim of not respecting Valencia CF and that her father was not wanted in Valencia.

It got to a point where the comments had racial slurs in Spanish, telling Miss Lim and her family to “go home”. Some even hurled profanities at her.

“I understand a bit of Spanish and most of the comments came from men. Why would they swear at a lady like that?” said Miss Lim, adding that she was still calm when she saw the comments but lost her cool when fans started insulting her dad.

“They were cyberbullying and the profanities they said were ridiculous.

“I have to stand up for my family and I want to protect my dad, who loves me so much.

“I’m also not just standing up for myself, but for Asians as a whole.”

Her managers tried to calm her down and her friends helped her tone down the draft for her post, which was harsh.

Mr Lim was also recently jeered during a Valencia match. (See report on facing page.)

Miss Lim said fans do not understand the amount of work that her family puts in.

She said: “We love the club a lot. We stand up together, and we go together as we support each other.

“The fans say they don’t see much of my dad and me, but it’s just that I don’t post a picture every time I watch a match.

“If time permits, I would even take a flight from Singapore to Valencia just to support (the team) and then head back.”

Miss Lim said it’s very difficult to appease fans, so she took a stand against the racism and cyberbullying.

When TNP asked her about her safety, she said: “Some fans said they would hunt me down but I am not scared as I think it’s silly.

“If it happens, it happens. But in the end, it’s they who will be punished.

“Right now, I am still angry, but I am too tired to think about it any more and I’m sure everyone can see for themselves.”

– Additional reporting by Kimberly Lim

SINGAPORE: Hello Kitty, Gudetama and Pokemon are all beloved Japanese characters that have descended on our shores – and Singaporeans’ appetites for anything kawaii (Japanese for cute) do not seem to be waning.

The Pokemon pop-up cafe makes a comeback on Thursday (Nov 24) at the fourth floor of Bugis Junction, nearly six months after its first successful run.

This time, the cafe is inspired by the recent debut of the Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon games, according to mall management company PARCO Singapore. Its decor and menu are inspired by the game’s Alola region. 

The Alola Region Volcano: An inverted chocolate ice cream cone, on a blue crepe. (Photo: Winnie Goh) 

Some dishes – such as the Pikachu latte – from the cafe’s last run remain, while others will make their debut on the eatery’s menu.

I Love Pikachu Ketchup – a chicken patty served with mashed potatoes, rice, as well as a bottle of ketchup. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

Pikachu Smiling Alola Region Curry Rice – saffron rice shaped like the popular Pokemon character, Pikachu. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

Among the new items are the Alola Region’s Fish and Fries, a fish and chip dish featuring condiments fashioned to look like a Pokeball and a Great Ball; Pikachu’s Ice-Cream Bun; as well as Volt Tackle is Strong, a chocolate cake with a praline base, shaped – of course – like the popular character Pikachu. 

Pikachu’s ice cream bun, featuring a rare candy. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

Volt Tackle is Strong, a chocolate cake with a praline base, served with caramelised marshmallow and a berry sauce. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

Diners can also take home selected collectibles, such as a Great Ball mug, if they order certain items from the menu. 

A hot drink, served in a Great Ball mug. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

There is also Pokemon Sun and Moon themed merchandise, as well as a photo booth, for diners looking to take home a piece of their experience. 

The cafe, which runs until Feb 19, is a collaboration between PARCO Singapore and local chain Everything with Fries.

Merchandise on sale at the Pokemon cafe’s second edition. (Photo: Winnie Goh)

The first edition, which was held from May 27 to Jul 31, had attracted hundreds of diners on opening day. 

The cafe’s second run comes after augmented reality game Pokemon Go landed in Singapore in August this year. While interest has somewhat cooled after the app’s initial launch, it is still number 33 among the top free apps on the iTunes store as of Wednesday night. 

Other popular themed cafes that have opened their doors in Singapore include the Hello Kitty cafe at Changi Airport. A cafe dedicated to Japanese character Gudetama – a cartoon of a lazy egg – will also be making its debut later this month. 

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia, PARCO Singapore’s corporate general manager Lai Sau Kuen said the company is still looking for a location for a permanent themed cafe which will feature different characters – such as those from the popular chat app LINE – every three months.