2008 has been an exciting year for a fair number of Asian celebrities. On deciding who to spotlight, I took into account the recent histories of the celebrities’ careers and how 2008 is a good indication of what they stand to gain in the future. And of course, I filtered out celebrities that had any publicized drama, career blunders, and/or scandals; this is the happy section, after all! A couple of these picks may not be the biggest names, but I’m more than sure they’ll be riding their notable upswings well into 2009 and beyond.

THE NEW GIRLS

LIN CHI LING (林志玲)

Model Lin Chi Ling is widely considered Taiwan’s best beauty, and this year marked her official foray into the acting world. But it wasn’t just any film: it was Red Cliff aka currently the biggest Asian film epic. Lin played Xiao Qiao, the younger, prettier sister of China’s mythologized/historical beauty duo “The Two Qiaos” – the one that basically causes the battle on account of her coveted beauty. Along with playing one of China’s most beautiful historical figures, Lin acted alongside a cast of some of China and Japan’s biggest actors. Definitely not a bad way to start an acting career… and hey, if it doesn’t go anywhere – which I seriously doubt – she’ll have one gem of a piece to look back on.

YOSHIDA RIKO (吉田里琴)

This little Amelie Poulain is Japan’s current kid actor extraordinaire. This year, she appeared in Osen and in Hotaru no Hikari as Ayase Haruka’s younger self. Her biggest gig of the year was a starring role in Oh! My Girl! with Mokomichi Hayami. All of a sudden, women around the world found themselves jealous of a 9-year-old. Yoshida’s a talented young actor and totally cute to boot, and while this year was particularly amazing for her, I’m sure she’ll encounter much more in the years to come.

NEW HORIZONS

KANESHIRO TAKESHI aka JIN CHEN WU(金城 武)

This Japanese-Taiwanese actor is obviously a household name, and with his looks, every year might as well be his best year ever. So, what’s the deal with 2008? This year, Kaneshiro’s two roles in Red Cliff and Sweet Rain aka Accuracy of Death marked a clear transition into the next phase of his already booming career. With a wise and sophisticated role in Red Cliff, as well as proving he can still woo audiences in romantic fare like Sweet Rain, it’s pretty much pointless to even consider contesting his longevity in show business. Already known to be much more than a pretty face, Kaneshiro has proven that he’s ready to tackle roles reserved for much older and venerable performers. Also, it must be nice to be dubbed the “Unconquerable Hottie,” which was the case this year in many TW, HK and JP media outlets.

MAYA MIKI (真矢みき)

This 44-year-old actress first caught my eye last year as a strong supporting actress in Himitsu no Hanazono, but I wasn’t aware of what she was up to prior to that as I never saw her in popular media. However, gears shifted in 2008: Maya landed a lead role in Danso no Reijin, as well as a number of supporting roles in Absolute Boyfriend, GiraGira, and Galileo. As a popular idol back in her younger years, no one would’ve expected her to catch a second wind. Marriage, children and an unceremonious fade-to-black was all but too normal for yesteryear’s teen stars, and for a time, it seemed this was her fate. However, Maya is back in the game and shaking up the industry by being just who she is: a modern and mature woman whose age really counts for something. There is life beyond 25, and boy is it amazing.

POWER PUFF GIRLS

TODA ERIKA (戸田恵梨香 )

After her first lead role in 2007’s Liar Game (alongside Matsuda Shota), Toda has been blazing through 2008 with a nonstop chain of three tanpatsu’s (short-length specials) and two renzoku’s (full-length dramas), as well as three film appearances, which included a reprisal role in L. In the past two years, Toda has played sugar n’ spice characters – and wonderfully at that – but this year she really got to pull out her acting chops with a variety of more serious and dynamic roles. Toda pretty much paid her dues in full this year. No longer is she “What’s-her-face,” or “That one girl,” but rather one of Japan’s hottest young female talents.

HORIKITA MAKI (堀北真希)

This young actress has made a prolific career out of playing characters many young actresses would’ve been afraid to touch, such as the weirdo-creepy girl roles and most notably, a cross dressing role in the hit drama Hana Kimi. It’s hard to believe this actress only turned 20-years-old this year as her maturity level and professionalism is well beyond those of her peers. In 2007, Horikita discussed how she was afraid of turning twenty because she wanted to stay a teen forever, but with an intense and unexpectedly dark role in Innocent Love, a major role in NHK’s 2008 yearlong period drama, and a sultry (as well as tastefully nude) feature in An An magazine, her reservations may as well be a thing of the past. Despite being a big name to begin with, Horikita got a major power-up this year simply by turning 20-years-old and graduating into adulthood and into the better roles that come along with it. This former teenage sensation is all geared up to be a serious heavy hitter.

REIGNING QUEENS

LEE HYORI (이효리)

Both Korea – Lee Hyori, in this case – and Japan’s #1 pop divas were in full effect this year after various breaks. Lee returned to the scene as sexy as ever, but with a more mature and accessible appeal, thanks to her multiple hosting gigs during her small break from the singing realm. At 29-years-old, Lee strode back on stage with her new album It’s Hyorish, which immediately soared to the top of the charts. Though her younger pop cohorts dominated during her two-year absence from the music scene, Lee clearly showed them up in her return. Take a cue, pop tarts, this is how it’s done!

AMURO NAMIE (安室 奈美恵)

In conjunction with her new album Best Fiction, Amuro teamed up with Vidal Sassoon for an unforgettable campaign that blended together music and fashion. As a music and fashion sensation who’s constantly outdoing herself, Amuro seriously stepped up her game with this career defining move. Moreover, her 60’s, 70’s, 80’s singles shot to the top of the charts like a pop bullet train. At 31-years-old, Amuro has proven she’s still an iconic figure who continues to resonate not only with her loyal fans, but with younger audiences, as well. While tweenies may be able to learn most things in idol camp, Amuro proves the best notes and moves come from good ol’ wisdom and experience.

YOUNG GUNS

MATSUDA SHOTA (松田翔太)

Everybody’s favorite HYD tea house heir with a gangsta lean wrapped up the year with three dramas and HYD Final under his belt. I never once thought Shota would ever get pinned underneath the brilliant shadow of his older brother Ryuhei; it was just a matter of time when it came to garnering more awareness and critical acclaim for himself. As far as leading man material, Shota took up the gauntlet as the shogun Tokugawa Iemochi in NHK’s star-studded Atsu-hime and rocked the role, as well as the top knot. What is refreshing about Shota and Ryuhei is that although they are brothers from a family of established actors, they have never once butted heads over being in the same industry, at least in public. While Ryuhei is a popular and acclaimed actor in his own right (one of my favorites, in fact), eclectic films are really where he flourishes. Shota, on the other hand, has a much broader versatility, but what they both share is a ferocity for acting and a commanding presence. With a thunderous year in only the early stages of his career, Shota is already proving he’s much more than a pretty HYD face. The verdict is out: accusations of nepotism do not apply to either of the Matsuda brothers.

KASE RYO (加瀬亮)

I’ll just start this off by saying Kase was involved with nine film releases this year, including his voice work for Sky Crawlers. This officially breaks his typical streak of 4-6 films per year. Somehow, it feels inappropriate to use “typical” in this context… Anyhow, as far as pure talent is concerned, Kase’s got to be one of the best actors in Japan at the moment. At 34-years-old, Kase already has an enviable domestic and international breadth of work most industry veterans will never see in their lifetimes. The intensity of his acting is only matched by the fervor in which he approaches his career, which was summed up in this prolific year. Obviously, all nine of his 2008 films were in production at different times throughout the years, but really, to have all of them released in one ridiculously huge cluster is a tempting cue for anyone to rest on their laurels. Luckily, this doesn’t seem to be the case for Kase, who already has two films slated for 2009. With an abundance of talent and energy for his chosen profession, it wouldn’t be at all surprising for him to top this record in the future. Count ‘em, nine!