Phongchi
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{short description|Vietnamese-Japanese idol singer}}
{{Infobox model
| name = Phuong Chi
Fonchi
フォンチー
| image = Phongchi (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|12|16}}
| birth_place = Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Idol
- Gravure idol
- Tarento
- Actor
- Singer}}
| agency = Sony Music Artists
}}
{{Nihongo|Phongchi[http://www.sma.co.jp/artists/phongchi/ "http://www.sma.co.jp/artists/phongchi/"], Sony Music Entertainment|フォンチー|Fonchī|born December 16, 1990}}[https://archive.today/20130218210242/http://person.naver.jp/1265952 "Person Information: Phongchi"], Naver Person Search is a Japanese idol of Vietnamese descent."[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/70948/ Idoling!!! No. 8 Phongchi in a red maid dress]" November 23, 2009 Oricon {{in lang|ja}} Often dubbed "Idoling No. 8",[http://tv.jp.msn.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=246403 Web The Television 10-03-16]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, MSN {{in lang|ja}} she is a former member of Japanese all-girl idol group Idoling.[http://npn.co.jp/article/detail/54107362/ "Phongchi graduates from Idoling!!!"], December 14, 2011, The Real Live News {{in lang|ja}} She was one of original members[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/79481/full/ Oricon Style News August 28, 2010], Oricon {{in lang|ja}} and had been the most popular member of the group.[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004A70KZY "if : My Little Sister, Phongchi"] Amazon.co.jp {{in lang|ja}} She also does glamour modeling as a gravure idol,[http://music.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-04-27-2 Popular gravure idols Maria Yoshikawa & Phongchi releases "Tekkotsu Musume Pao"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512063817/http://music.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-04-27-2 |date=May 12, 2010 }} So-net, April 27, 2010 {{in lang|ja}} having released two photobooks and five DVDs since 2008.[http://d.hatena.ne.jp/keyword/%A5%D5%A5%A9%A5%F3%A5%C1%A1%BC "Phongchi"]{{User-generated source|date=January 2024}}, Hatena Diary {{in lang|ja}}{{User-generated source|date=January 2024}}
Career
Phongchi was born in 1990 in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa to Vietnamese immigrant parents[http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/flash/KFullFlash20081025033.html Sponichi Annex 08-10-25] Sponichi {{in lang|ja}} who came from Saigon, South Vietnam.[http://blog.television.co.jp/entertainment/entnews/2008/09/20080919_04.html The Television Entertainment News September 19, 2008] {{in lang|ja}} Phongchi participated in an audition, the SMA Teens Audition, held by Sony Music Artists in 2005, becoming the runner up.[http://contents.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/58180/ Oricon De View 08-09-16]{{in lang|ja}} Oricon She joined Idoling as an original member in 2006.[http://tv.goo.ne.jp/contents/cast/d0e0d5ee908bfd6bade41bcc96dc8471/index.html "Phongchi"] at goo TV {{in lang|ja}}
She began to be known as the "protégé" of Sayuri Kokusho, a seasoned actress known formerly as "Onyanko No. 8", and began appearing on numerous non-Idoling television shows in late 2007.[http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/463359/profile/history/p/2/ "History of Phongchi", page 2], Oricon {{in lang|ja}} She released her first photobook titled Fon Fonchi in September 2008[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4902307057 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}} and first DVD titled Cam On : Precious Time in October 2008.[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EN2X3E Amazon] {{in lang|ja}}
Her second DVD A Letter From a Teen was shot in Okinawa[http://tv.bunka.co.jp/top/topix/2009/1005/fonchi/index.html An interview about the DVD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202142806/http://tv.bunka.co.jp/top/topix/2009/1005/fonchi/index.html |date=December 2, 2009 }} {{in lang|ja}} and released in September 2009.[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002HRT140 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}} Her second photobook Ritual Heart was shot in Bali and released in March 2010.[http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20100314-606023.html Article on Nikkansports.com 3/14, 2010] Nikkan Sports {{in lang|ja}} Her third DVD F : Angel's Wing was also shot in Bali[http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4722707/ "Phongchi self-produces costumes and theme, scoring 100 points!"], April 16, 2010, Livedoor {{in lang|ja}} and released in March 2010,[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0036IPGZ2 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}} and fourth DVD if : My Little Sister was released in November 2010.
In September 2010 she made her first Vietnam-related appearance at the annual Vietnam Festival event took place at the Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo.[http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/2010/09/20/fonchi/index.html "Vietnam is my pride" – Stick with the Vietnam Fes spokesperson Phongchi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924050132/http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/2010/09/20/fonchi/index.html |date=September 24, 2010 }} MyCom Journal September 20, 2010 {{in lang|ja}} She appeared in the event as its main host, along with several guests from Vietnam including famous Vietnamese artists as Ho Quynh Huong and Nam Cuong.[http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000064297 Report at Barks2010-9-19] {{in lang|ja}} Again, she worked as the host for the Vietnam Festival 2011 (September 17–18) where the guests again include Ho Quynh Huong.[http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/061/61237/ "Ascii presents ultra rare photobooks made by Phongchi of Idoling!!! with her autographs"], October 23, 2011, ASCII {{in lang|ja}}
Phongchi graduated from Idoling in December 2011 to start a career in acting, alongside "Idoling No. 7" Erika Yazawa who would later become a comedian.[http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20111223-OHT1T00107.htm "'Idoling!!!' Yazawa and Phongchi perform their graduation live"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228095513/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20111223-OHT1T00107.htm |date=December 28, 2011 }}, December 23, 2011, Sports Hochi {{in lang|ja}} She released her fifth DVD Kaleidoscope in January 2012.[http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/02/13/026/index.html "Friend-choco at the Valentine, the newest DVD 'watch my mature side', says Phongchi"], February 13, 2012, Mynavi News {{in lang|ja}} It was her first DVD after leaving Idoling, where she dressed in costumes such as those inspired by Rihanna.[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/2006960/ "Phongchi holds her first solo-event after graduating from Idoling!!!"], February 14, 2012, Web De-View {{in lang|ja}}
Weight-loss obsession
Phongchi always talks about her weight and weight-loss plan whenever she is interviewed. She was a member of Idoling's Pocchari Dohmei ("Axis of Chubby"), a team consisting of the three heaviest members in the group,[http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/183/183595/ "Popular idol from Idoling Phongchi releases her first DVD"] ASCII October 28, 2008 {{in lang|ja}} along with Erika Yazawa and Erika Tonooka.[http://blog.fujitv.co.jp/idoling/blog/member/E20090430001.html Idoling!!! Blog – April, 30, 2009] Fuji TV {{in lang|ja}} She has weighed up to 48 kg (105 lb)From her blog [http://ameblo.jp/fonchi1216/archive13-200805.html] "My first step is to have 48kg" at 1.65m (5 ft 5 in),Yanyan Vol.6, Ryoran Report (p.34) May 2009 ({{ISBN|9784197202706}}) and she has stated that she considers herself overweight and has always been dieting. She said about it, "I can't announce my weight until I have a decent weight".[http://ameblo.jp/fonchi1216/archive13-200805.html Official blog's first article]{{in lang|ja}} She has stated that she has idolized the actress Risa Goto and especially the famous model Emi Suzuki, whose BMIs have been reported to be less than 14.
She has revealed that she has a strong addiction to Caramel Frappuccino, a Starbucks beverage which often appears on her blog. There are about 247 kcal in one Caramel Frappuccino bottle and she drinks it twice a day. This can be one reason why she struggles so much with her weight, but she has stated that she could not live without it.
Personal life
Aside from her native Japanese, Phongchi is also fluent in Vietnamese."[http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/flash/KFullFlash20100916001.html Phongchi becomes a spokesperson]" September 16, 2010 Sponichi {{in lang|ja}} Her first DVD Cam On featured her conversations with native Vietnamese-speaking children.[http://news.ameba.jp/entertainment/2008/11/19973.html Ameba Entertainment News 4 November 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210044944/http://news.ameba.jp/entertainment/2008/11/19973.html |date=February 10, 2009 }} Ameba {{in lang|ja}}
She is known as a hardcore gamer, more specifically, a hardcore PS3 player. One time she played Demon's Souls in her room for about 20 hours straight, skipping an appearance on the Idoling show.{{cn|date=March 2025}} She is also a wrestling fan, specifically a Dragon Gate fan and has several wrestling game titles.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
As for fashion, in her personal life, she did not show any preference in the 2000s, but since around 2010 when she turned 20 she has shown a strong preference for the Ageha style which does not fit her vibrant "idol" image.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
On August 8, 2022, she announced her marriage and pregnancy of her first child.{{Cite web |last=INC |first=SANKEI DIGITAL |date=2022-08-08 |title=元「アイドリング！！！」フォンチーが結婚と妊娠を発表 「おなかの中に新しい命も授かりました」 |url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20220808-OTGCVRYDHZATPNB7P4JUWRBYCI/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=サンスポ |language=ja}}{{Cite web |title=ご報告 {{!}} Fonchi Official HP |url=https://fonchi-official.com/news/9735 |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=ご報告 {{!}} Fonchi Official HP |language=ja}}
Releases
=Photobooks=
- Fon Fon Chi, September 5, 2008
- Ritual Heart, March 12, 2010
=DVDs=
- Cam on, October 22, 2008
- 10-dai Kara no Tegami (A Letter from a Teen), September 30, 2009
- F : Angel's Wing, March 19, 2010
- if : Boku no Imoto (if : My Little Sister), November 27, 2010
- Kaleidoscope, January 25, 2012
Filmography
=Film=
- Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room – The Movie (2023){{cite web |url= https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/460427|title= 鈴木亮平主演「TOKYO MER」映画化、賀来賢人や中条あやみも続投|access-date= January 5, 2022|work= Natalie}}
- Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room – The Movie 2 (2025){{cite web |url= https://eiga.com/movie/102489/|title= 劇場版TOKYO MER 走る緊急救命室 南海ミッション|access-date= 17 April 2025|website= eiga.com|language=ja}}
=Television=
- MIU404 (Ep. 5) (2020){{cite web |title=TBS Friday Drama "MIU404" Episode 5 "Dream Island" |url=https://fonchi.net/2020/07/24/tbs-miu404-5-yumenoshima/ |website=fonchi.net |date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=13 November 2024 |language=ja}}
- Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room (2021)
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.sma.co.jp/artist/profile/index/67 Official profile by Sony Music *She has already retired from SMA and is currently working freelance.] {{in lang|ja}}
- [http://fonchi.net/profile-fonchi/ Official Homepage] {{in lang|ja}}
{{Idoling!!!}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phongchi}}
Category:Japanese gravure models
Category:Japanese women pop singers
Category:Japanese women television personalities
Category:Actresses from Kanagawa Prefecture
Category:Japanese people of Vietnamese descent
Category:Models from Kanagawa Prefecture
Category:People from Hiratsuka, Kanagawa
Category:Singers from Kanagawa Prefecture