{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{short description|Vietnamese-Japanese idol singer}} {{Infobox model | name = Phuong Chi<br />Fonchi<br />フォンチー | image = Phongchi (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|12|16}} | birth_place = Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = {{flatlist| * Idol * Gravure idol * Tarento * Actor * Singer}} | agency = Sony Music Artists }} {{Nihongo|'''Phongchi'''<ref>[http://www.sma.co.jp/artists/phongchi/ "http://www.sma.co.jp/artists/'''phongchi'''/"]{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}, ''Sony Music Entertainment''</ref>|フォンチー|Fonchī|born December 16, 1990}}<ref name="naver">[https://archive.today/20130218210242/http://person.naver.jp/1265952 "Person Information: Phongchi"], ''Naver Person Search''</ref> is a Japanese idol of Vietnamese descent.<ref>"[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/70948/ Idoling!!! No. 8 Phongchi in a red maid dress]" November 23, 2009 ''Oricon'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Often dubbed "'''Idoling No. 8'''",<ref>[http://tv.jp.msn.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=246403 Web The Television 10-03-16]{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, MSN {{in lang|ja}}</ref> she is a former member of Japanese all-girl idol group Idoling.<ref>[http://npn.co.jp/article/detail/54107362/ "Phongchi graduates from Idoling!!!"], December 14, 2011, ''The Real Live News'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She was one of original members<ref>[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/entertainment/79481/full/ Oricon Style News August 28, 2010], ''Oricon'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and had been the most popular member of the group.<ref name="amazon_if">[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004A70KZY "if : My Little Sister, Phongchi"] ''Amazon.co.jp'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She also does glamour modeling as a gravure idol,<ref>[http://music.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-04-27-2 Popular gravure idols Maria Yoshikawa & Phongchi releases "Tekkotsu Musume Pao"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512063817/http://music.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2010-04-27-2 |date=May 12, 2010 }} ''So-net'', April 27, 2010 {{in lang|ja}}</ref> having released two photobooks and five DVDs since 2008.<ref>[http://d.hatena.ne.jp/keyword/%A5%D5%A5%A9%A5%F3%A5%C1%A1%BC "Phongchi"]{{User-generated source|date=January 2024}}, ''Hatena Diary'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>{{User-generated source|date=January 2024}}
==Career== Phongchi was born in 1990 in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa to Vietnamese immigrant parents<ref>[http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/flash/KFullFlash20081025033.html Sponichi Annex 08-10-25] ''Sponichi'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> who came from Saigon, South Vietnam.<ref>[http://blog.television.co.jp/entertainment/entnews/2008/09/20080919_04.html The Television Entertainment News September 19, 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326020347/http://blog.television.co.jp/entertainment/entnews/2008/09/20080919_04.html |date=March 26, 2012 }} {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Phongchi participated in an audition, the ''SMA Teens Audition'', held by Sony Music Artists in 2005, becoming the runner up.<ref>[http://contents.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/58180/ Oricon De View 08-09-16]{{in lang|ja}} ''Oricon''</ref> She joined Idoling as an original member in 2006.<ref>[http://tv.goo.ne.jp/contents/cast/d0e0d5ee908bfd6bade41bcc96dc8471/index.html "Phongchi"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723114621/http://tv.goo.ne.jp/contents/cast/d0e0d5ee908bfd6bade41bcc96dc8471/index.html |date=July 23, 2011 }} at ''goo TV'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
She began to be known as the "protégé" of Sayuri Kokusho, a seasoned actress known formerly as "Onyanko No. 8", and began appearing on numerous non-Idoling television shows in late 2007.<ref>[http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/463359/profile/history/p/2/ "History of Phongchi", page 2], ''Oricon'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She released her first photobook titled ''Fon Fonchi'' in September 2008<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4902307057 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and first DVD titled ''Cam On : Precious Time'' in October 2008.<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001EN2X3E Amazon] {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
Her second DVD ''A Letter From a Teen'' was shot in Okinawa<ref>[http://tv.bunka.co.jp/top/topix/2009/1005/fonchi/index.html An interview about the DVD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202142806/http://tv.bunka.co.jp/top/topix/2009/1005/fonchi/index.html |date=December 2, 2009 }} {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and released in September 2009.<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B002HRT140 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Her second photobook ''Ritual Heart'' was shot in Bali and released in March 2010.<ref>[http://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/f-et-tp0-20100314-606023.html Article on Nikkansports.com 3/14, 2010] ''Nikkan Sports'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Her third DVD ''F : Angel's Wing'' was also shot in Bali<ref>[http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4722707/ "Phongchi self-produces costumes and theme, scoring 100 points!"], April 16, 2010, ''Livedoor'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and released in March 2010,<ref>[https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0036IPGZ2 Amazon] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> and fourth DVD ''if : My Little Sister'' was released in November 2010.<ref name="amazon_if"/>
In September 2010 she made her first Vietnam-related appearance at the annual ''Vietnam Festival'' event took place at the Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo.<ref>[http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/2010/09/20/fonchi/index.html "Vietnam is my pride" – Stick with the Vietnam Fes spokesperson Phongchi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924050132/http://journal.mycom.co.jp/articles/2010/09/20/fonchi/index.html |date=September 24, 2010 }} ''MyCom Journal'' September 20, 2010 {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She appeared in the event as its main host, along with several guests from Vietnam including famous Vietnamese artists as Ho Quynh Huong and Nam Cuong.<ref>[http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000064297 Report at Barks2010-9-19] {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Again, she worked as the host for the ''Vietnam Festival 2011'' (September 17–18) where the guests again include Ho Quynh Huong.<ref>[http://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/000/061/61237/ "Ascii presents ultra rare photobooks made by Phongchi of Idoling!!! with her autographs"], October 23, 2011, ''ASCII'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
Phongchi graduated from Idoling in December 2011 to start a career in acting, alongside "Idoling No. 7" Erika Yazawa who would later become a comedian.<ref>[http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20111223-OHT1T00107.htm "'Idoling!!!' Yazawa and Phongchi perform their graduation live"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228095513/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20111223-OHT1T00107.htm |date=December 28, 2011 }}, December 23, 2011, ''Sports Hochi'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She released her fifth DVD ''Kaleidoscope'' in January 2012.<ref>[http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/02/13/026/index.html "Friend-choco at the Valentine, the newest DVD 'watch my mature side', says Phongchi"], February 13, 2012, ''Mynavi News'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> It was her first DVD after leaving Idoling, where she dressed in costumes such as those inspired by Rihanna.<ref>[http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/2006960/ "Phongchi holds her first solo-event after graduating from Idoling!!!"], February 14, 2012, ''Web De-View'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
==Weight-loss obsession== Phongchi always talks about her weight and weight-loss plan whenever she is interviewed. She was a member of Idoling's ''Pocchari Dohmei'' ("Axis of Chubby"), a team consisting of the three heaviest members in the group,<ref name="ascii">[http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/183/183595/ "Popular idol from Idoling Phongchi releases her first DVD"] ''ASCII'' October 28, 2008 {{in lang|ja}}</ref> along with Erika Yazawa and Erika Tonooka.<ref>[http://blog.fujitv.co.jp/idoling/blog/member/E20090430001.html Idoling!!! Blog – April, 30, 2009] ''Fuji TV'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> She has weighed up to 48 kg (105 lb)<ref>From her blog [http://ameblo.jp/fonchi1216/archive13-200805.html] "My first step is to have 48kg"</ref> at 1.65m (5 ft 5 in<!--measured in 2008, not 2005 (5' 3")-->),<ref name="yanyan">''Yanyan Vol.6'', Ryoran Report (p.34) May 2009 ({{ISBN|9784197202706}})</ref><!--both weight and height--> and she has stated that she considers herself overweight and has always been dieting. She said about it, "I can't announce my weight until I have a decent weight".<ref>[http://ameblo.jp/fonchi1216/archive13-200805.html Official blog's first article]{{in lang|ja}}</ref> She has stated that she has idolized the actress Risa Goto and especially the famous model Emi Suzuki, whose BMIs have been reported to be less than 14.<ref name="yanyan"/>
She has revealed that she has a strong addiction to Caramel Frappuccino, a Starbucks beverage which often appears on her blog. There are about 247 kcal in one Caramel Frappuccino bottle and she drinks it twice a day. This can be one reason why she struggles so much with her weight, but she has stated that she could not live without it.
==Personal life== Aside from her native Japanese,<ref name="ascii"/> Phongchi is also fluent in Vietnamese.<ref>"[http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/flash/KFullFlash20100916001.html Phongchi becomes a spokesperson]" September 16, 2010 ''Sponichi'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref> Her first DVD ''Cam On'' featured her conversations with native Vietnamese-speaking children.<ref name="ameba19973">[http://news.ameba.jp/entertainment/2008/11/19973.html Ameba Entertainment News 4 November 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210044944/http://news.ameba.jp/entertainment/2008/11/19973.html |date=February 10, 2009 }} ''Ameba'' {{in lang|ja}}</ref>
She is known as a hardcore gamer, more specifically, a hardcore PS3 player. One time she played ''Demon's Souls'' in her room for about 20 hours straight, skipping an appearance on the Idoling show.{{cn|date=March 2025}} She is also a wrestling fan, specifically a Dragon Gate fan and has several wrestling game titles.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
As for fashion, in her personal life, she did not show any preference in the 2000s, but since around 2010 when she turned 20 she has shown a strong preference for the Ageha style which does not fit her vibrant "idol" image.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
On August 8, 2022, she announced her marriage and pregnancy of her first child.<ref>{{Cite web |last=INC |first=SANKEI DIGITAL |date=2022-08-08 |title=元「アイドリング！！！」フォンチーが結婚と妊娠を発表 「おなかの中に新しい命も授かりました」 |url=https://www.sanspo.com/article/20220808-OTGCVRYDHZATPNB7P4JUWRBYCI/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=サンスポ |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ご報告 {{!}} Fonchi Official HP |url=https://fonchi-official.com/news/9735 |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=ご報告 {{!}} Fonchi Official HP |language=ja}}</ref>
==Releases==
===Photobooks=== *''Fon Fon Chi'', September 5, 2008 *''Ritual Heart'', March 12, 2010
===DVDs=== *''Cam on'', October 22, 2008 *''10-dai Kara no Tegami'' (A Letter from a Teen), September 30, 2009 *''F : Angel's Wing'', March 19, 2010 *''if : Boku no Imoto'' (if : My Little Sister), November 27, 2010 *''Kaleidoscope'', January 25, 2012
==Filmography==
===Film=== *''Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room – The Movie'' (2023), Hoang Lan Minh<ref name=TMER>{{cite web |url= https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/460427|title= 鈴木亮平主演「TOKYO MER」映画化、賀来賢人や中条あやみも続投|access-date= January 5, 2022|work= Natalie}}</ref> *''Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room – Nankai Mission'' (2025), Hoang Lan Minh<ref>{{cite web |url= https://eiga.com/movie/102489/|title= 劇場版TOKYO MER 走る緊急救命室 南海ミッション|access-date= 17 April 2025|website= eiga.com|language=ja}}</ref>
===Television=== *''MIU404'' (Ep. 5) (2020)<ref>{{cite web |title=TBS Friday Drama "MIU404" Episode 5 "Dream Island" |url=https://fonchi.net/2020/07/24/tbs-miu404-5-yumenoshima/ |website=fonchi.net |date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=13 November 2024 |language=ja}}</ref> *''Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room'' (2021), Hoang Lan Minh<ref name=TMER/>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.sma.co.jp/artist/profile/index/67 Official profile by Sony Music *She has already retired from SMA and is currently working freelance.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027031250/http://www.sma.co.jp/artist/profile/index/67 |date=October 27, 2015 }} {{in lang|ja}} *[http://fonchi.net/profile-fonchi/ Official Homepage] {{in lang|ja}} {{Idoling!!!}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phongchi}} Category:Japanese gravure models Category:Japanese idols Category:Japanese women pop singers Category:1990 births Category:Japanese women television personalities Category:Actresses from Kanagawa Prefecture Category:Living people Category:Japanese people of Vietnamese descent Category:Models from Kanagawa Prefecture Category:People from Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Category:Idoling!!! members Category:Singers from Kanagawa Prefecture Category:Expatriate television personalities in Japan Category:21st-century Japanese actresses