Wang Jui-cheng (Chinese: 王瑞振; pinyin: Wáng Ruìzhèn; 6 December 1953 – 16 February 2017), known by his pen name Wang Ben-hu (汪笨湖) was a Taiwanese writer and television presenter.

Born in Tainan County, Wang began his writing career in the 1980s, during the Taiwanese literature movement. He worked closely with director Ho Ping, and eventually five of Wang's short stories became films. Ho's first film, The Digger was the work of Wang, as was his second, The Suona Player, for which Ho was awarded a Golden Horse in 1988. Wang's Autumn Tempest, That Vital Organ and The Daughter-in-Law were directed by Huang Yu-shan, Chang Chi-chao, and Steve Wang, respectively.[1][2]

Wang was noted for his support of the Taiwan independence movement and hosted his best known television program Voice of Taiwan in Taiwanese Hokkien.[3][4] During the 2004 legislative elections, it was speculated that Wang would run as a Taiwan Solidarity Union candidate, but such a campaign never materialized.[5] That year, Wang repeatedly argued with Democratic Progressive Party legislator Shen Fu-hsiung, who was seen as a likely candidate for the Taipei City mayoralty in 2006, over Shen's criticisms of Chen Shui-bian.[6] Wang began hosting a new program, Taiwan Advancement, in August 2004,[7] which premiered at 8 pm on Chinese Television System, a prime time slot usually reserved for Taiwanese dramas.[8] However, Wang quit due to the severity of disputes between himself and Shen,[9][10] only to return to the show shortly thereafter.[11] In 2006, opposition to Chen grew, largely led by former DPP chair Shih Ming-teh.[12] Still, Wang remained allied with Chen, attending several rallies to show his support.[13][14] Upon stepping down from the presidency in 2008, Chen was charged with corruption.

Voice of Taiwan, which had aired on Much TV since 2002, ended in 2005.[4] Wang then became cofounding chairman and host for YAM TV, a Hokkien station.[4] In December 2012, YAM TV laid off over half of its workforce, an action for which it was fined the next month.[15][16] Wang died at the age of 63 in 2017, due to complications of bone marrow and intestinal cancer, at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan.[4][17][18]

Notes

References

• Pan, Jason (17 February 2017). "Writer Wang Benhu dies at 65, tributes pour in". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Ko, Shu-ling (5 October 2007). "Chen remains noncommittal on offer of DPP top post". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Chang, Yun-ping (18 April 2004). "DPP limits nominees in legislative race". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Chang, Yun-ping (20 August 2004). "Disaffected Shen feels the blues and makes the right polling moves". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Lee, Daw-Ming (2012). Historical Dictionary of Taiwan Cinema. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810879225.
• Yiu, Cody (10 August 2004). "Popular TV host gets second show". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Staff writer (14 August 2004). "Sniping from China and DPP legislator drives out TV host". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Staff writer (15 August 2004). "TV host spurs new controversy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Staff writer (13 August 2004). "TV talk show host and DPP legislator trade more insults". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Wu, Debby (20 August 2004). "Shen has eye on mayor's office -- with a dead heart". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Ko, Shu-ling (18 August 2006). "Shih's anti-Chen campaign divides the DPP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Shan, Shelley; Ko, Shu-ling (26 August 2006). "Chen's supporters rally to oppose Shih's campaign". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Chang, Rich (20 September 2006). "Chen loyalists, detractors clash in Kaohsiung, Tainan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Hung, Rui-chin; Huang, Wen-huang; Pan, Jason (16 December 2012). "Uncertainty remains about future of Hoklo TV station". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Hung, Jui-chin; Lin, Chia-chi; Pan, Jason (20 January 2013). "Taiwan Yam TV faces fine for mass dismissals". Taipei Times. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• Strong, Matthew (15 February 2017). "Taiwan talk show host dies aged 63". Taiwan News. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
• CP Staff (16 February 2017). "Political pundit Wang Ben-hu passes at 65". China Post. Retrieved 18 February 2017.

External links

• Wang Ben-hu at IMDb 
• Wang Ben-hu at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase