Can't touch us: Andy Chen (left) and Zhu Zhu (right) cohost MTV China's highly-rated "Tian Lai Cun." Photo: Zhang Yu 

By Xu Liuliu 
 
Taiwan-born Andy Chen is host of two of the most popular TV shows broadcast on the Chinese mainland. One is MTV China's "Tian Lai Cun" ("Musical Village") and the other is "8089," a talk show known for discussing controversial topics with young people. The latter shot to the top of the rating when it first started airing on Hunan TV in December 2009.
 
"It's great to co-host with Cao Ying [a female host from the Chinese mainland]," Chen told the Global Times. "Although it can be a little tiring commuting between Beijing and Changsha, I'm just happy to see that the shows are becoming more popular among the young people."
 
Chen previously worked as a VJ in Taiwan starting in 2002, but moved to the Chinese mainland at the end of 2008.
 
"The center of Chinese culture is on the Chinese mainland. The entertainment industry here is developing very fast and has a bright future," said Chen.
 
Chen moved to Vancouver with his family when he was 13 years old. He got his first MTV job by chance after receiving a degree in finance from Simon Fraser University.
 
"My older sister told me MTV was recruiting VJs when I returned to Taiwan for vacation. At that time I didn't even know what a VJ did. But I tried out anyway," he said.
 
But becoming a VJ wasn't so easy for Chen. Having grown up in Canada, re-learning the language had to come first.
 
"I read news stories in newspapers every day," Chen said. "Half a year later, I could speak perfect Chinese."
 
Taiwanese TV is notorious for being a crowded field for talented hosts, meaning each fiercely competes for ratings.
 
"As long as the camera is turned on, [hosts] need to be very passionate and full of energy all at once, no matter how tired they actually are," said the now-veteran host. "We [hosts] consider it our top occupational hazard."
 
Chen's VJ job has been able to connect him with the world's top tier DJs and other celebrities. Chen attributes his understanding of the entertainment industry to discussions with the famous.
 
"This is a job full of dreams, but you need to sacrifice what you really love to do. But treat your fans well," he said. "I still remember watching Tom Cruise shaking hands with everyone as he walked the red carpet. Please, never let your fans down."
 
Chen said that he considers his most exciting interview to be the one he held with Avril Lavigne.
 
"I unbuttoned my shirt and let her see my heart-shape tattoo, which says: I love Avril Lavigne. She was so excited."
 
It's been two years since Chen migrated to screens on the Chinese mainland, and his high ratings seem to indicate that he's here to stay. But Chen still hopes to improve in any way that he can.
 
"I don't want to waste my university degree. In the future I will host some business programs," he said. "Cai Kangyong [a popular Taiwanese talk-show host] is my role model. He has a similar background studying overseas like me, and I really like his wise and humorous hosting style."