Kangsi Coming


Kangsi Coming was a Taiwanese variety-comedy talk show hosted by Dee Hsu and Kevin Tsai from 2004 to 2016, with the addition of sidekick Chen Han-dian since 2007. The show had been produced by Chungta Production from 2004 to 2009; after Chungta shut down, it was produced by Golden Star Entertainment. The typical format of the show was for the hosting duo to interview a panel of celebrity guests on various topics while engaging in comedic banter. The show also conducted special interviews with important figures in politics and entertainment.
Although it was broadcast in Taiwan, Kangsi gained enormous popularity among the broader Chinese speaking audiences, and is considered one of the most successful talk shows in Taiwan and in the Sinophone world.
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Name

The show had originally been named "Qi Guai Shi Dian Zhong", but was changed to Kangsi Coming soon after its debut. Kangsi, an alternative romanization of Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty, was a pun derived from the names of the hosts; 康 was taken from the Chinese name of Kevin Tsai and 熙 from the Chinese name of Dee Hsu.

Style

Kangsi Coming gained popularity with the dynamic chemistry between its hosts. Tsai, who had been known for his background as a writer and host of serious, cerebral talk shows before Kangsi, provided a sharp contrast to Hsu’s wacky and sassy hosting style. The show was also noted for its interest in celebrity gossip and its embrace of subcultures, including being one of the most high-profile platforms for LGBT culture in the Chinese-speaking world. With a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek, and self-aware approach, the hosts frequently broke the fourth wall and veered away from conventional celebrity promotional interviews, opting instead for playful roasting or deep dives into guests’ private lives. The production incorporated cartoon sound effects, comical editing techniques such as instant replays, and animated text and visuals, enhancing the show’s humor and energetic tone.

Special Units

Apart from the typical interview format of the show, some special units were held irregularly:
  • "Remove Makeup" - female celebrities removed makeup to show their plain faces.
  • "Gift Swap" - celebrities and sometimes the hosts brought gifts following certain themes to exchange with one another.
  • "Apology Conference" - the hosts "apologized" to the guests who were roasted most harshly on the show, typically held every year.
  • Singing and dancing competitions judged by professionals and the hosts.
From 2008 to 2011, the show held Kangsi Concert, an all-star concert tour across mainland China hosted by the duo.

List of guests

Since its premiere in 2004, the show hosted guests from Taiwan and beyond. The following is only an incomplete list.

Taiwan

Entertainers
Politicians

Hong Kong and Macau

Andy Lau, Eason Chan, Edison Chen, Carina Lau, Ng Man Tat, Eric Tsang, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, Wong Jing, Cecilia Cheung, Stephen Chow, Twins (band), Joey Yung, Lydia Shum, Vivian Chow, Fiona Sit, Ronald Cheng, Josie Ho, Anita Yuen, Wakin Chau, Joyce Cheng, Anthony Wong, John Woo, Jacky Cheung, Jaycee Chan, Timmy Hung, Kelly Chen, Grasshopper (band), Dicky Cheung, Khalil Fong, Sammo Hung

Mainland China

Huang Lei, Huang Xiaoming, Tao Hong, Qin Hailu, Hai Qing, Huang Haibo, Zhao Wei, Yang Zishan, Huang Bo, Liu Liyang, Huang Yali, Jing Boran, Yu Kewei, Ding Ding, Zhang Hexuan, Zhang Wei,, Anson Hu, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu, Xiao Shenyang, Hu Xia, Ding Dang, Liu Yan, Huang Shengyi,, Ye Zixuan, Yang Qingqian, Jason Zhang, Xie Na, Lu Yao, Best Crew, Na Ying, Chen Kaige, Chen Hong, Chen Jianbin, Han Geng,, Guo Jingming, Yu Quan, Zheng Kai, TFBoys, Wang Yibo, Li Wenhan, Zhou Yixuan, Wang Xiaofei, Fan Bingbing, Li Chen

Overseas

Seth Rogen, Michel Gondry, Wonder Girls, Stefanie Sun, Kris Phillips, Take That (Band), Coco Lee, Henry Lee, JJ Lin, Maria Ozawa, Atsushi Tamura, By2, Gary Chaw, Ah Niu, A-do, Michael & Victor, Penny Tai, Eric Moo, Jet Li, Bai Ling, Fish Leong

Awards and nominations

;Golden Bell Awards
  • 43rd
  • * Nominated: Best Host in a Variety Programme
  • 42nd
  • * Nominated: Best Variety Programme
  • * Nominated: Best Host in a Variety Programme
  • 41st
  • * Nominated: Best Host in a Variety Programme
  • 40th
  • * Won: Best Host in a Variety Programme
  • * Nominated: Best Variety Programme