Wang Shu is China's first Pritzker Prize-winning architect, and he sees himself as battling against bland conformity.
Philippines President Benigno Aquino on fighting corruption and the country's fractious politics.
Is poverty in the Philippines the fault of Catholic attitudes to contraception? CNN asks the Philippine president.
The Ayala brothers are keen motorcyclists and hope their family company remains a driver for the Philippine economy.
Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala head one of the Philippines' biggest companies. CNN's Andrew Stevens reports.
Architect Frank Gehry talks about how involved he becomes with his designs and the finished buildings.
From truck driver and potter to star architect, Frank Gehry describes his creative journey.
The art duo of Gilbert and George on how their work can ruffle feathers and the benefits of routine.
Artists Gilbert and George talk about creativity in China and how East London is the center of the universe.
Song Byeok had every reason to be pleased with his success. A gift for drawing led to a prestigious career as a propaganda artist and full membership in North Korea's communist party.
Former North Korean propaganda artist Song Byeok has embraced satire since defecting to the U.S. in 2001.
Dissident artist Song Byeok talks about living under Kim Jong il's regime and watching his father die.
Manolo Blahnik is a household name thanks to 'Sex and the City'. The shoe designer talks to CNN about his life.
The eponymous shoemaker talks to CNN's Anna Coren about his greatest achievements.
CNN's Kyung Lah sits down with Japan's World Cup-winning captain to reflect on their win amid tragedy.
Homare Sawa credits playing football with boys as one of the reasons for her development into a top player.
Homare Sawa describes the strange motivation her team had before last year's World Cup.
Boss of fashion brand Uniqlo, Tadashi Yanai, says the government lied to the Japanese people after the 2011 earthquake.
Uniqlo boss Tadashi Yanai describes how he has built one of the world's biggest, recession-proof clothing companies.
The doctor and self-help author has some controversial views on the medical profession.
"Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto gives CNN's Kristie Lu Stout a lesson in sushi and talks about his early years.
A year after 'Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother' was published, author Amy Chua talks about the book's global impact.
The CEO of Nissan and Renault on the advantages of being an outsider in making big decisions.
The CEO of both Nissan and Renault believes 2012 will be a good year for Japan and the auto industry.
Pop impresario Yasushi Akimoto has been criticized for sexualizing teen girls with songs for Japanese supergroup, AKB48.
Producer of Japanese girl supergroup AKB48, Yasushi Akimoto has hit gold with his idea to make ordinary girls stars.
Japan's answer to Johnny Depp may be Joe Odagiri, the reluctant actor and director with an inimitable style.
Sara Sidner talks with Indian artist Subodh Gupta about his middle-class oriented art, which is drawing high prices.
Thakoon Panichgul's designs are a favorite of the fashion elite and even admired by the U.S. first lady, Michelle Obama.
U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke says Beijing and Washington have a lot of work to do together.
U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke has caused a commotion with his laid-back style.
Australian PM Julia Gillard explains how her family background shaped her career.
Australian prime minister Julia Gillard explains the circumstances behind her rise to the top job.
Monisha Kaltenborn is the first female CEO of an F1 team, but still faces challenges in the male-dominated sport.
Monisha Kaltenborn, CEO of Sauber F1, provides an insight into the inner workings of an F1 team.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra answers criticism that she owes her position to her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Yingluck Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand, on what is being done to protect the country from future floods.
Singing sensation Charice Pempengco gained a part on TV's "Glee", but found out about it through Twitter.
From Philippines singing contests to Oprah and "Glee", Charice Pempengco has hit all the right notes in her young career.
He's the ambassador who carries his own bags and the can for the U.S. in China.
Action star Michelle Yeoh met Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi while portraying her in "The Lady."
Actress Michelle Yeoh describes taking on the challenge of playing the Noble Peace Prize winner.
While playing the part of Aung San Suu Kyi in biopic "The Lady", Michelle Yeoh felt as if she had "lived" with the Burmese pro-democracy leader for years.
When growing up, Monisha Kaltenborn wanted to go into space, but as the first female CEO of a Formula 1 team she's arguably reached greater heights.
Actor Donnie Yen has helped make Hollywood hits, but tells CNN how the industry has changed since the early days.
Donnie Yen is one of the greats of Hong Kong martial arts films. The star talks about acting, hard work and martial arts.
His work was once the most expensive from a modern Chinese artist. Zeng Fanzhi gives CNN a glimpse of his studio and method.
Is the work of contemporary Chinese artist Zeng Fangzhi's worth the price?
Lobsang Sangay refutes claims that the Chinese government has improved the lives of Tibetans.
Prime Minister of Tibet's government-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay says a better life for Tibetans is possible.
Taking over the politican role of the Dalia Lama, Lobsang Sangay has a hard act to follow.
Sung-Joo Kim comes from one of South Korea's wealthiest families, but went her own way to create global brand, MCM.
Sung-Joo Kim has blazed a trail for businesswomen in Asia, but says there remains challenges in the male-dominated business mindset.
Eric Schmidt is as committed as ever to making sure those at Google "do the right thing."
The former CEO of Google admits the company's biggest mistake was not getting into Facebook-style services earlier.
Hayao Miyazaki is regarded by many as the world's greatest living animator and an icon of Japanese popular culture.
Master animator Hayao Miyazaki has created 18 films, which he thinks of as his children
Hayao Miyazaki explains how he hopes his fantastic films reach into the audience's subconscious.
Charles Chao talks to CNN's Kristie Lu Stout about the power of his Chinese web portal, Sina.com.
How did the Chinese new media mogul build one of the country's most successful internet businesses?
Operating in a huge market, Charles Chao's Sina web portal faces huge challenges to stay the country's number one.
Charles Chao talks to CNN's Kristi Lu Stout about the power of his Chinese web portal, Sina.com.
He plays Chuck Bass in "Gossip Girl", does actor Ed Westwick see the show going out in a blaze of glory?
Actor and "Gossip Girl" bad boy Ed Westwick on making a name and image for himself.
Mount Everest was elusive, and almost deadly, for adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes until 2009. He recounts the challenges.
Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes on walking solo to the North Pole and coping with losing his fingers.
Kim Yuna is one of South Korea's biggest stars and the ice skater who won the country's first figure skating gold medal at a Winter Olympic Games last year in Vancouver.
Does South Korea's golden girl of ice skating still have the passion to be the best?
Still only 20, Kim Yuna has been training for 15 years to become the world's greatest figure skater.
Kim Yuna, South Korea's golden girl of ice skating, on what it meant to win at the Olympic Games.
Photographer and film-maker David LaChapelle on how working with Madonna was a scary experience.
David LaChapelle on how the pop artist helped him when he was a struggling artist and had to work as an escort.
Photographer David LaChapelle on celebrating the human form and creating images that can shock.
Indonesia's transition from an autocracy to a vibrant democracy can be an example to those countries in the Middle East experiencing political upheaval, says the country's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
American fashion designer and film director Tom Ford has revealed he received angry letters from his predecessor and rival Yves Saint-Laurent.
Fashion designer Tom Ford talks about starting his own label and his strained relationship with Yves Saint Laurent.
A-mei is the Taiwanese pop sensation who flaunts her tribal roots and managed to get on the wrong side of China.
Actress Sigourney Weaver on how story-telling on screen has changed and making sci-fi sexy.
Sigourney Weaver describes her film role as Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist" and the impact the film had on her.
Architect Zaha Hadid on the struggles and pleasures in making her fantastic designs a reality.
Iconoclasitc architect, Zaha Hadid, on fighting stereotypes and making a name for herself.
Will Brazil be ready to host the World Cup in 2014? Football great Pele has his reservations.
As well as a successful music career, Avril Lavigne has set up a charity to help sick and disabled children.
In making her new album Avril Lavigne's had to battle the music label and collaborate with her ex.
After almost 10 years in the music business Avril Lavigne says there's no way she can fake it.
A private individual but public figure, Ratan Tata, offers CNN a rare insight into his personal life.
What do aluminum sheeting and life insurance have in common?
Still only 43, Kumar Birla is head of one of India's biggest conglomerates that started out as a modest family business.
Artist Damien Hirst explains how conceptual art can cut across cultural boundaries.
He's estimated as being one of the richest living artists, but Damien Hirst believes he's still got his feet on the ground.
He wants his staff to only speak English and the Japanese government to wake up. Meet Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani.
From a Chinese pop idol to a champion of ethnic minorities in China, singer Dadawa is a musician like no other.
From TV talent show winner to U.N. ambassador promoting ethnic diversity in China, Dadawa is a singer like no other.
Film director Feng Xiaogang may have made China's biggest box office hit, the disaster movie, "Aftershock", but he built his reputation in comedies, comparing himself to American director, Woody Allen.
Filmmaker Feng Xiaogang is responsible for China's biggest box office success, the disaster film, 'Aftershock'.
Fashion designer Jason Wu shares how he felt seeing U.S. first lady Michelle Obama wearing one of his designs.
On his first world tour, the former "American Idol" contestant describes how he's here for your entertainment.
Can Super Junior get any bigger? Outrageously famous in Asia, the Korean pop phenomenon have world domination in mind.
Phillip Lim is leading the charge on the world's catwalks by Asian fashion designers.
Japanese football star Keisuke Honda is honest about his national team's chances of becoming world-beaters.
Japan's prime minister talks about a recent territorial dispute with China.
As Japan's fifth prime minister in four years, Naoto Kan hopes the revolving door of Japanese politics will remain closed long enough for him to reinvigorate the country.
Contemporary and often abstract, Minsuk Cho's buildings can baffle, delight and dazzle.
Politics is in the blood of Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak.
For the Oscar-winner and Hollywood A-lister, family takes priority over career goals.
She's been called China's answer to Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour, but Hung Huang never had a plan to be the media and fashion empress she is today.
Family, food and faith have guided Kylie Kwong to where she is today.
Stephen Fry is a comedian, actor and writer, who has become something rare in British public life; a national treasure.
A colossus on and off the basketball court, Yao Ming is China's biggest sports star.
For nearly 50 years Ron and Valerie Taylor have been filming sharks at close quarters, bringing the lives of the ocean's most fearsome predators to TV and the big screen.
He's the rock demigod who lives and breathes music, but whose heart beats thanks in part to a pacemaker.
One of the stars of this summer's Hollywood hit, "Inception", Ken Watanabe has fought his way to the top of his profession.
You know you've reached a special level of fame when you're known by just your first name.
Not many winners of the Cannes Film Festival Palm d'Or thank ghosts and spirits in their acceptance speech.
Money has changed the game of golf -- and for the better, says Jack Nicklaus.
CNN was in the Philippines to cover the national elections on May 10. Although it would take three more weeks for the Philippine Congress to officially declare the winners, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was largely expected to become the country's 15th President.
Han Han is China's rebel writer who has become the unofficial voice for his generation.
Internationally renowned classical musician Sarah Chang has played violin to audiences in some of the world's greatest capital cities. But her virtuosity has also helped gain her access to one of the world's most secretive of places; Pyongyang.
Surrounded by expensive pieces of Chinese art purchased from auction houses in London and New York, Wang Zhongjun, China's 50-year old film mogul, appears the very model of a modern Chinese entrepreneur.
Nancy Kwan is the actress who immortalized "The World of Suzie Wong'" in the 1960 film.
Artist Yue Minjun is the man the behind the rictus grin that has become his work's motif. Part self portrait, part parody, part social commentary, his paintings have made him one the most instantly recognized contemporary artists in China.
A cricketing icon and sporting hero in his native Australia, Shane Warne's life off the cricket pitch has almost been as well documented as his career on it.
Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood superstar, has become more than a little accustomed to being adored by millions.
"Movies aren't an actor's medium...actors are just color in other people's paintings," Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey told CNN's Talk Asia.
A classical pianist with a rock star following, Yundi Li has been packing concert halls for nearly a decade.
China's Li Na hit the heights earlier this year when she made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open, beating Venus Williams along the way.
When choosing a career, Johnnie To considered becoming a policeman. However more than three decades after accepting a job at a TV station he's still shooting the Hong Kong underbelly but from behind a camera.
Chinese actress Zhou Xun is a face recognized by millions, but so far, little known outside of China.
With over 20 years as an actor, Lee Byung-hun has a gained a serious on-screen persona. But when the camera is off, the 39-year-old South Korean is more joker than brooding artist.
Even when working at his father's gas station when he was a boy, Baz Luhrmann had an eye for great stories.
He is perhaps the most recognizable man in fashion, almost never seen without his dark glasses, a silver ponytail and fingerless gloves.
I always wanted to meet Steve Irwin. He was the quintessential Aussie who took manliness to a whole new level, wrestled man-eating crocodiles, wrangled poisonous snakes and would pick up any of God's creatures to show the world how remarkable animals really are.
After nearly two years in office, Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, remains committed to keeping Australia at the forefront of global affairs.
There's nothing like lobbing a simple little question into a group of foaming football fanatics.
Seiji Ozawa is Asia's most successful conductor, a maestro in a quintessentially Western art form, and a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. But the affable 74-year-old is used to crossing cultural boundaries.
To say Gregory David Roberts has witnessed much in his life would be an understatement.
"I'm not a machine, and like everybody I have better moments than others," Rafael Nadal told CNN in Shanghai.
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