2 Be Free

Twins are a Hong Kong Cantopop duo that was created in the summer of 2001 by Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG). Twins are made up of two girls, Charlene Choi (蔡卓妍) and Gillian Chung (鍾欣潼).Kar, Law. Bren, Frank. Hong Kong Cinema: A Cross-Cultural View. 004(2004). Scarecrow Press.. pg 249. They are a popular group in Hong Kong and a top band in mainland China. Their fanbase have included Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, United States, Vietnam and Philippines. Their music was generally targeted at young teens, but in 2004 they began to attract a wider audience by venturing into different styles of music. In February 2008 the duo temporarily separated after the Edison Chen photo scandal involving Gillian Chung.. The group reunited two years later in 2010.Startribune.com.
Startribune.com
." ''Hong Kong actress in sex photos scandal reunites with Twins bandmate as her comeback continues.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-03.

Since 2001, the group has released twelve Cantonese studio albums, four Mandarin studio albums, three extended plays, five compilation albums and four live albums. Most of their singles reached the top of many musical charts.

History

2001–2003: Debut and first albums

Gillian Chung had also worked as a part-time model during one of her summer vacations in Hong Kong. Similar to her erstwhile partner, Charlene Choi was also a part-time model who had appeared in several advertisements. She became famous after her participation in the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) television program ''Y2K''.EEGmusic.
EEGmusic
." ''Other information.'' Retrieved on 2008-03-09. Both caught the attention of EEG manager Mani Fok (霍汶希). They subsequently auditioned for and later formed the duo known as "Twins".

Twins signed to Emperor Entertainment Group and were formed on 18 May 2001. According to Mani Fok, EEG's plan for Twins was to emulate the success of the Japanese duo KinKi Kids. In August 2001, they released their debut extended play ''Twins'' (AVEP) with hit single "Open Love, Secret Love, Tutoring Institute". This EP contained 3 music videos and 6 songs. As part of album promotions, Twins collaborated with MSN to make personal pages and web games. In addition, EEG bundled gifts and coupons with the EP, so that teenage album owners got more value from their purchase by receiving things like hair care products and vouchers for dance courses. It went platinum in its first week of selling. In November, Twins released their second EP '' Twins' Love'', which contained 8 songs and 1 music video for the lead single, "Slam Drunking Love".

In January 2002, Twins released their third EP ''Twins''. The EP contained one CD with five new songs, and a VCD, with 2 music videos. Since it was near Chinese New Year, the single "Ma Bao 668" was a greeting song for Chinese New Year. In May 2002, Twins finally released their debut album '' Our Souvenir'' with two discs. Disc one, CD contained 10 tracks with single "Er Ren Shi Jie Bei". Disc two was a VCD, with two music videos. Their debut album (just like a debut EP) was a great success. In August 2002, Twins released second album ''Amazing Album'', consisted of two discs, CD with 11 songs, and a DVD with three videos. In 2002, Twins had their first concert ever, and three more in 2003 (which were held in Guangzhou).

Between 2001 and 2003, the duo received a total of 72 total awards.EEGmusic.
EEGmusic
." ''Awards.'' Retrieved on 2008-03-09. By 2003, they have received a large number of awards from the four major Hong Kong media organizations of RTHK, Commercial Radio Hong Kong, Metro Radio and TVB. In April 2003, they released third album, '' Touch of Love''. It contained two discs, CD and DVD. Two months later, in June 2003, the second version of the album was released with a new single and its music video "Bian Bian Bian". The song was theme for their movie '' The Twins Effect'' and sung by Twins and Jackie Chan. With the brand new look, Twins released 1 disc 10 track fourth album named ''Evolution'' in September 2003.

2004–2005: Continued success with Cantonese releases, ''Singing in the Twins Wonderland'' albums and Mandarin debut

In 2004, Twins had released four volumes of their children albums ''Singing in the Twins Wonderland'', which were released for little children and it contained English nursery rhymes and stories. In January 2004, Twins released fifth studio album ''Magic'', consisted of eleven songs. It was called Magic to emphasise their new musical style and the theme of the album. The Twins' '' Girl Power'' was the Olympic-themed album released in June 2004. It came in a special edition package. Included are:
Six mini posters measuring 15" x 20"
Twins Effect 2 beverage coaster
Lucky draw scratch-and-win card for the music VCD. Similar to their previous albums, this album was larger than usual, using a large cardboard book-like package to carry the AVCD and posters. There were six different colored fabric bands wrapped around the package. Included is the theme song for Twins Effect II, (Love Is Invincible, seventh track).

In early 2005, Twins released their debut Mandarin album ''Trainee Cupid''. In June 2005, one year after the last Cantopop album, Twins released their sixth studio album ''Samba'' with the singles "Samba Queen" and "Pink Guitar". Their seventh studio album ''The Missing Piece'', was released in December 2005, after their album ''36 Stratagems''. They made a popular concert with the same name where they hugged each other and released a live/video album "Twins: The Missing Piece Concert".

In December 2005, a rumour mentioned the splitting of the two singers. However, they attended the May 2006 MTV Asia Awards in Thailand together. They were nominated for and won the ''Hong Kong Favorite Artist Award''.

2006–2009: Final albums, touring and disbandment

In June 2006, they released their second mandarin album ''Around the World with 80 Dollars'' which was a great success. Tracks "One Time Not Twice" and "I Really Want to Love Him" were nominated, and album ''Around the World with 80 Dollars'' won Top 10 Gold Songs at the Hong Kong TVB8 Awards, presented by television station TVB8, in 2006. The eighth album ''Ho Hoo Tan'' was released in September 2006. It consisted of a CD and a DVD with music videos. At the 2006 Hong Kong Entertainment Awards ceremony Choi tearfully acknowledged that there have been criticisms of the Twins' singing abilities and that she hoped that they could better improve in the coming year.

In February 2007, they celebrated their sixth year together in the Hong Kong music industry. They released a special Sixth Anniversary New + Best Selection CD/DVD. In September of the same year, Twins embarked on a multi-city North American concert tour, with special guests Sun Boy'Z. International stops included San Francisco, Toronto, and Atlantic City.Yahoo.
Groups.yahoo.com
" ''Article.'' Retrieved on 2008-03-14. It was their first time performing on a major tour across several North American cities. In 2007, Twins released their ninth studio album ''Twins Party''. The album was a success. It was released in three versions: Twins version, Gillian solo version and Charlene solo version.

In early January 2008, Twins won two major awards at the 2007 Jade Solid Gold Top 10. They earned the most popular group award as well as the most popular Asia Pacific region female artist award.Jade solid gold.
Jade solid gold
." ''2007 additional awards.'' Retrieved on 2008-02-18. That year, Twins released their third Mandarin and final album before their hiatus, titled '' Twins Language''. The group was dragged into the fray when Gillian was involved in the Edison Chen photo scandal. Her private images were among those which found their way onto the internet at the end of February 2008. With Gillian deciding to duck out of the public eye, Twins announced its "temporary dissolution" in July 2008. Charlene said she was highly optimistic that they would reunite some day in the future.

On 16 January 2009, during a TVB interview on ''My 2008'' (我的2008), Choi talked about how she handled the media. During the 31st RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards hosted in January 2009, Choi said Twins would return.Sina.com.tw.
Sina.com.tw
." ''Twins要回來了！　阿Sa坦言沒有阿嬌不想唱.'' Retrieved on 2009-01-22.

2010–present: Reunion, ''3650'', ''2 Be Free'' and #LOL

Two years after the split, many wondered whether Twins had become a myth.Mingpao.com.
Mingpao.com
." ''Twins新蔡卓妍.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-04. In February 2010, Charlene Choi talked to the media about her experience in going solo. She summed up the experience by describing the name of her song ''"Two without one"'' (二缺一).Mingpao.com.
Mingpao.com
." ''Twins永不拆伙.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-04. She said that Twins was a symbol for their generation, and that they would never break up.

On the night of 27 February 2010 the "EEG 10th anniversary concert" was held at The Venetian Macao luxury hotel. A number of singers were present including EEG and non-EEG representatives. Some notables include Joey Yung, Nicholas Tse, Leo Ku, Vincy Chan, William Chan, Yumiko Cheng, Anthony Wong and many more.Yahoo.com.
Yahoo.com
." ''英皇盛世10年騷 紅白對決 Twins首度復合表演手心冒汗.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-03. Gillian Chung and Charlene Choi appeared on stage together for the first time in two years to do a small performance for the anniversary concert. They sang (風箏與風), (下一站天后), (女校男生), (飲歌), (戀愛大過天) and (人人彈起).

A few days later on 3 March, Twins appeared in public at the Harbour plaza after parading around in a purple Porsche.Mop.com.
Mop.com
." ''Twins合体为下月个唱造势 跑车接驾兴奋弹起.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-04. A public announcement was made that Twins would reunite to perform in a three-day " Nokia Twins 2010 concert" from 16 to 18 April at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom. The last time they performed at the same stage was four years previously.Mingpao.com.
Mingpao.com
." ''Twins 互擋緋聞有默契.'' Retrieved on 2010-03-04.

In 2011, Twins released their comeback Mandarin album ''3650''. They released it as a celebration of 10th anniversary of their first project. The album had many covers, which were their photos (like "Our Souvenir" album cover) that were re-taken in 2011. In March 2012, Twins released their new, twelfth studio album titled ''2 Be Free''. Album contained one disc with ten new songs and a DVD with 3 new music videos.

After their album ''2 Be Free'' was released, Chung and Choi focused on their solo careers again. Chung released two studio albums ''Vernicia Flower'' (2013) and ''Wholly Love'' (2014). Choi also released albums ''Montage'' (2012) and ''Blooming'' (2013). However, they reunited at 2015 Emperor Group Annual Celebration & Emperor Entertainment Group 15th Anniversary Ceremony on 1 February 2015 in Beijing, China. Twins performed in the Hong Kong Coliseum on the last day of 2015, as well as the first day of 2016 until 4 January. Their last performance was said to be filmed for their upcoming concert DVD and it lasted for 3.5 hours where their last encore was a full hour.

Advertisements

Apart from their singing careers, Twins have also been involved in a number of advertisements. Companies covering all types of products have advertised with the pop duo with the first advertisement with Whisper (護舒寶) in 2000. Between 2001 and 2005 they advertised more than 10 products each year. Big name companies include Nokia, Epson, Biore, Coca-Cola, LG and many more.EEGmusic.
EEGmusic
." ''Advertisements.'' Retrieved on 2008-03-09.

Twins have also been selected to promote several social campaigns in Hong Kong, such as summer activities for the "Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau" in July 2003.

Discography

;Cantonese studio albums
* '' Our Souvenir'' (2002)
* ''Amazing Album'' (2002)
* '' Touch of Love'' (2003)
* '' Evolution'' (2003)
* ''Magic'' (2004)
* '' Girl Power'' (2004)
* ''Samba'' (2005)
* ''36 Stratagems'' (2005)
* '' The Missing Piece'' (2005)
* ''Ho Hoo Tan'' (2006)
* ''Twins Party'' (2007)
* '' 2 Be Free'' (2012)
* '' LOL'' Ep1/Ep2 (2015)
;Mandarin studio albums
* ''Trainee Cupid'' (2005)
* ''Around the World with 80 Dollars'' (2006)
* '' Twins Language'' (2008)
* ''3650'' (2011)

Filmography

Featuring both Charlene and Gillian:

Concerts

* 13–15 September 2002 ''Ichiban Amazing Show (Twins Ichiban 興奮演唱會)''
* 18–19 January 2003 ''Matsunichi Twins Guangzhou Amazing Show (松日Twins廣州興奮演唱會) ''
* 25 June 2003 ''Tou Hao Ren Wu Chang Hao Music Concert (頭號人物唱好音樂會) ''
* 2 August 2003 ''Netvigator NETCash Pop-up Concert ( 網上行叱吒樂壇Pop-Up音樂會) ''
* 31 December 2003 – 4 January 2004 ''Matsunichi Twins 04 Concert (Twins 04 好玩演唱會)''
* 3 June 2005 ''Starlight Amusement Park Concert (Australia)''
* 4–7 January 2006 ''Twins Star Mobile Incomparable Concert (Twins 星Mobile 一時無兩演唱會)''
* 18–19 August 2006 ''Twins Concert in Genting'' Malaysia
* 15 September 2007 ''Twins in Concert Cow Palace, San Francisco/Daly city''
* 18 September 2007 ''Twins Concert in Toronto at Casino Rama'' (我們相愛6年)
* 22–23 September 2007 ''Twins Sixth Anniversary World Tour 2007 tlantic City(Twins 我們相愛6年 環遊世界 ��西洋城��唱會)''
* 16–18 April 2010 ''Nokia Twins Everyone Bounce Concert'' (Nokia 舞樂作動 Twins 人人彈起演唱會)
* 13 November 2010 ''Twins Everyone Bounce Concert Live in Macau'' (Twins 人人彈起 Concert Live in Macau)
* 31 December 2015 – 4 January 2016 ''Twins #LOL #LiveinHK concert''

Photo albums

* August 2001 ''Twins Love the Colorful Travel'' 112 pages
* November 2001 ''Twins 1+1 Photo Album'' 96 pages
* August 2003 ''Twins Love Hong Kong'' 112 pages
* December 2004 ''Twins Hold Hands Hong Kong'' 112 pages

See also

* Gillian Chung
* Charlene Choi
* Cantopop
* Mandopop

References

External links

Twins EEG HK Official Site

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twins
Hong Kong girl groups
Cantonese-language singers
Hong Kong Mandopop singers
Cantopop musical groups
Musical groups established in 2001
Musical groups disestablished in 2008
Pop music duos
Hong Kong idols
Female musical duos