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Prince Mak
프린스 맥
Birth nameHenry Prince Mak, Mai Heng Li
Born (1992-05-24) May 24, 1992 (age 32)
Sydney, Australia
GenresK-pop, dance
OccupationSinger
Instrument(s)Voice
Bass Guitar
Guitar
Piano
LabelsJackie Chan Group Korea, Emperor entertainment

Henry Prince Mak (born May 24,1992),[1] commonly known as Prince Mak, is a Chinese-Australian entertainer. He is a student of Jackie Chan and a member of Korean pop boy group, JJCC, but is currently pursuing solo acting activities in China.[2] He was the Chinese Ambassador of Sydney in 2016.

Early life

Mak was born in south-western Sydney, Australia to Chinese parents. His given name is 'Henry' after English kings and middle name is 'Prince'.[3] His father is a builder and his mother works in a Chinese restaurant. He has one younger sister born in 1993. He attended Casula Primary School, Moorebank High School and Macquarie Fields High School for 2 years.[4] He learned piano as a child and played bass guitar in a band. Later he became interested in hip-hop and began popping and locking.[5] He studied Acting at the University of New South Wales before pursuing a career in the Chinese entertainment industry. Mak can speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese and basic Korean.[6]

Career

Pre-debut

After graduating from University of New South Wales, Mak worked as a dance teacher at Crossover Dance Studio in Chinatown, Sydney.[7] While he was a dance teacher, he was approached by Korean entertainment company, JYP to become a trainee. His parents did not approve so he did not accept the opportunity.[8] Henry also studied acting at the Actors College of Theatre and Television. However he found it difficult to find acting opportunities in Australia as most roles were not targeted at Asians.

In 2012, he 'ran away' to China where he thought he would have greater luck in breaking into the entertainment industry.[9] He auditioned for SM Entertainment and made it to the final round however he was considered too old. He entered and won a talent competition in Beijing run by Jackie Chan. Subsequently, Chan hand-picked Mak to become a member of his new K-Pop boy group, JJCC.[10]

JJCC

Mak moved to Korea in February 2014 and debuted on March 14, 2014 in K-Pop group JJCC (pronounced Double-JC, Hangul: 더블제이씨) despite not knowing any Korean language.[11] He adopted the stage name of 'Prince Mak' as his given name of 'Henry' was already in use by Henry Lau. Mak did not feature in JJCC's debut music video, "At First" due to an injury.[12] While working with JJCC he lived with them and several pets in a house. Each day started at 5.30am with a 13km run followed by dance practice, vocal training, learning Korean and then dancing until 1am or 2am.[13] Due to the rigorous training regime Mak lost 9 kilograms after joining the group.[14]

Mak was a co-host along with his bandmate, Eddy, for the weekday music show Pops in Seoul. He also hosted his own radio show on Australian music show SBS PopAsia in 2015 and returned to host in late 2016.[15] Mak was absent from JJCC's 'Today' promotions due to tympanitis.[16] Due to his absence, there was much speculation that he had left JJCC. In September 2016 he confirmed that he was still a part of JJCC but would now be pursuing solo acting activities in China.[17] Speculation still continued so in December 2016, he reconfirmed was still a member of the group.[18]

Solo career

Mak is currently based in Beijing in order to pursue acting. He is also learning some martial arts. Mak travels to Korea once a month to visit his fellow bandmates.[19] He is also currently hosting a radio show 'The Prince Mak Hour' on Australian digital radio station, SBS PopAsia, on Tuesdays at 8pm AEST.[20] He also has a video diary series, the 'Prince Mak's Prince Diaries', which is aired roughly every two weeks on the SBS PopAsia YouTube channel as well.

Influences

Despite debuting in a K-Pop group, Prince Mak originally was not interested in K-Pop. His biggest influence is Michael Jackson.[21]

Television

Year TV station Program Note
2014 Arirang TV After School Club Himself with JJCC
2014 Arirang TV KPopulous Himself with JJCC
2015 Arirang TV Pops in Seoul MC
2016
2016 ABC 7.30 Interview
2016 SBS Viceland The Feed Interview

References

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday to JJCC's Prince Mak and Wassup's Nada!". Officially Kmusic. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  2. ^ "K-pop sensation Prince Mak pursues acting career with help from Jackie Chan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  3. ^ "[Exclusive Interview] The JJCC Members Explain Their Unique Names". Mwave. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Korean pop star Prince Mak is 'just an Aussie-born Chinese guy' from Casula discovered by Jackie Chan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Jackie Chan enlists Sydney singer for No.1 K-pop hit". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Prince Mak: K-pop's Australian star". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Prince Mak: K-pop's Australian star". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Jackie Chan enlists Sydney singer for No.1 K-pop hit". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Prince Mak: The price of K-pop stardom". SBS The Feed. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Prince Mak returns to Australia a K-Pop star mentored by Jackie Chan and on a strict diet". News.com.au. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Jackie Chan's K-Pop band JJCC inspires Aussie hopefuls searching for fame". ABC. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  12. ^ "K-EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Prince Mak from JJCC". Kmusic. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  13. ^ "Korean pop star Prince Mak is 'just an Aussie-born Chinese guy' from Casula discovered by Jackie Chan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  14. ^ "Prince Mak: The price of K-pop stardom". SBS The Feed. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Australian K-pop star Prince Mak on the price of fame". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  16. ^ "JJCC's Prince Mak will be absent from upcoming activities". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  17. ^ "K-pop sensation Prince Mak pursues acting career with help from Jackie Chan". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  18. ^ ""EXCLUSIVE: Prince Mak clarifies whether he's still in JJCC"". {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  19. ^ "K-EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Prince Mak from JJCC". Kmusic. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  20. ^ "Prince Mak on surviving as an Asian Pop star away from home". SBS Popasia. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Prince Mak: K-pop's Australian star". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
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