Phongchi

Phongchi (1990-    ) also known as Fonchi, is a famous Japanese singer/actress of Vietnamese origin.  She was considered the most popular member of Idoling, an all-girl group formed from the popular Japanese television show of the same name, and has often been dubbed as "Idoling No.8" by her fans.

Born on December 16, 1990 in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan to Vietnamese parents originally from Saigon, South Vietnam, Phongchi grew up speaking both Japanese and Vietnamese fluently.  In 2005, Phongchi entered the SMA Teen Auditions sponsored by Sony Music Artists and placed as runner up.  The following year, she became one of the original group members of Idoling and was taken under the wings of legendary Japanese Sayuri Kokusho as her protegé.  During her 5-year tenure as a member of Idoling, Phongchi released 2 photobooks, Fon Fon Chi (2008) and Ritual Heart (2010), and 5 DVDs, Cam On (2008), 10-dai Kara no Tegami (2009), F:  Angel's Wing (2010), if:  Boku no Imoto (2010) and Kaleidoscope (2012).

On September of 2010, Phongchi was a featured special guest at the Vietnam Festival held at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo and performed alongside Vietnamese pop stars Ho Quynh Huong and Nam Cuong.  The following year, Phongchi was invited back as host of Vietnam Festival 2011.

Phongchi graduated from Idoling on December of 2011 to focus on her career as an actress for Japanese cinema.

Link(s):

Phong Chi's Official Blog (Japanese)