世界棒球經典賽熱潮席捲全台，隨著TEAM TAIWAN赴日本東京巨蛋應援的啦啦隊也成為場邊最美的風景，其中來自統一獅的啦啦隊女孩侯芳因撞臉韓國樂天巨人 …
The fervor surrounding the World Baseball Classic has swept across Taiwan and the cheerleaders supporting Team Taiwan at the Tokyo Dome in Japan have become a elegant sight on the sidelines. Among them, Hou Fang, a cheerleader for the Uni-Lion Lions, has garnered attention for her striking resemblance to Park Danbi, a cheerleader for the Korean Lotte Giants.
The two 25-year-olds have even acknowledged the similarities themselves, with Hou Fang laughing, “Even my dad mistook me for her when he saw the photo.” The pair recently met and took photos together through arrangements made by their agencies.
Hou Fang, known for her sweet appearance, began learning ballroom dancing at ages seven and eight, achieving considerable success. She discovered street dance in high school, expanding her performance interests through the influence of senior dancers. While she has a family connection to the entertainment industry – her aunt is producer Huang Youhua of “School of Night” and her uncle is director Jiang Fenghong of “18 Year Old Promise” and “Love Sprout” – she chose a grounded path, starting from the bottom in cheerleader tryouts.
Currently, she’s a member of both the Hsinchu Attackers basketball team and the Uni-Lion Lions baseball team cheerleading squads, entering her third year as a professional. Her dedication and approachable personality have made her a fan favorite at sporting events.
Despite her success in the entertainment world, Hou Fang is, at heart, a “science girl.” She graduated from Yunlin University of Science and Technology’s Mechanical Engineering department. Many of her university classmates now work as engineers at tech giants like TSMC, earning salaries exceeding NT$100,000 (approximately US$3,100) plus bonuses. However, she chose to follow her passion, entering the competitive world of cheerleading. “I really love my job,” she said. “Being able to do what I love, and my family supports me too.”
The story of a mechanical engineering graduate choosing a career in cheerleading highlights the growing appeal of performance-based professions and the increasing acceptance of unconventional career paths. This decision underscores the importance of pursuing personal passions, even when faced with more traditional, high-paying opportunities.
