Roger Kwok Praises “Black Heart White Soul” as a Rare Masterpiece
Roger Kwok (郭晉安) has worked with TVB for nearly thirty years. Loyal to his roots, Roger filmed at least one TVB drama per year since his debut in the 1986 comedy drama, City Japes <城市故事>, the TVB sitcom that pushed Roger to popularity.
Roger is currently promoting TVB’s Black Heart White Soul <忠奸人>, a crime thriller produced by Amy Wong (王心慰). Considered as the second Last One Standing <與敵同行>, many viewers hold Black Heart White Soul in high regard.
Only Roger Can Portray Role
The 49-year-old actor usually gives diplomatic and modest answers when responding to media questions, but Roger openly praised Black Heart White Soul to be a “rare masterpiece” coming from TVB, and even boasted that no other actor in TVB can portray his role, Matt, better than himself.
Black Heart White Soul’s Chinese title, Chung Kaan Yan (忠奸人) is a homophonic pun. When spoken, it means “middle man”, but the hidden message of the characters means a man who is good and evil. When Roger first heard the title, he assumed the title meant someone who is morally conflicted, but during filming, Roger realized that was not the case.
“It means someone who has two faces. I can now understand why the producer cast me in the role – I look like a good person. An actor who does not have more than twenty years of experience will find it difficult to film this role. I can boldly affirm that no other actor in TVB can do this role except me. If I can keep [the evil side of me] hidden, then people will not be able to know that I actually have this side. That makes the role more unpredictable.”
Has Full Confidence in “Black Heart White Soul”
Black Heart White Soul snagged an average rating of 25 points in its debut week. It is not an outstanding result, but the drama has received overwhelmingly positive reactions from viewers. Roger, who has won Best Actor both times for his performances as Ah Wong in the Square Pegs<戇夫成龍> series, said he feels like he is in his Ah Wong phase all over again. “A lot of my colleagues have called me and praised my performance. Just yesterday, Tavia Yeung (楊怡) called and said, ‘Ah Gor! Your reaction there was great! It was really so awesome!’ There was probably some exaggeration there, but I do believe that she was being genuine!”
Does Roger have the confidence that Black Heart White Soul will achieve Ah Wong’s ratings success? Roger said, “Wow! Of course not! You know that’s impossible now! I don’t think we will ever be able to break the 40 to 50 rating points anymore. Nowadays, I don’t think we should look at just rating points anymore. Most important thing is for everyone to turn on their televisions first!”
Roger is a big fan of the American AMC television series, The Walking Dead, and has finished all four seasons. “I can’t wait to watch the next season! I’ve been searching other TV shows that are similar, but none of them were as good as The Walking Dead.”
Admits TVB Dramas are Faltering
Roger used to be a fan of TVB dramas as well, but he admitted that TVB dramas in recent years have been lacking in production and writing quality. “I am also a normal viewer of television. I would usually spend ten minutes on a show to determine whether or not I like it.”
Roger admitted that there haven’t been many TVB dramas that have managed to draw him in longer than ten minutes. However, he did manage to watch most of The Ultimate Addiction <點金勝手>, which completed its 30-episode run on July 11. “I was fascinated by the financial aspect of the series, and it was also quite mysterious. Towards the end, I had to shoot Inbound Troubles 2 <老表，你好Hea！> so I couldn’t finish watching it.”
Source: stheadline.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Roger is awesome in” black heart white soul” so as Krystal.
TVB has gone down hill from making so many cheap quality dramas. Finally … this time I will finish watching this drama since I think is acceptable.
I pretty much knew Roger would be evil from the 2nd ep when Ron met him and told him that he was the one that shot the guy and made Roger paralyzed.
Ron’s gf looks so old and chubby face. She looks older than her dad’s gf.
It’s more than acceptable it’s great.
Oh yea just on a side note didn’t want write this on the bottom cause no one will see it but how come everyone praising Krstal and not Ron. I FEEL KRYSTAL HAS BEEN JUST GETTING THE BEST FEMALE ROLES OVERALL.
Always the missunderstood helpful hero. But Roger was great.
It’s one of those rare TVB drama series that’s watchable in the last 5 years.
Anon: true. This is a very good drama.
I’m sure we will all be re watching this drama years from now.
I have loved this series so far. Hope this could be as good as Last One Standing. Roger was outstanding in that series, definitely the best series I have seen him in.
Roger a good actor o would want to see more of his series in tvb
Drama so far is good, everyone did a wonderful job. The only one I found annoying and overacting is the chubby beer chick.
LOL, yes, she is very annoying in this drama. That scene where they were in the car and ginger/curry? was trying to get Krystal to deal drugs and Miumiu was calculating in the back, her acting was so bad it was hilarious.
I enjoyed watching this drama despite not being so exciting in the beginning. Roger did do a really good job cause up to eps 4, I can kinda sense the bad side of him without him showing it on his face. Krystal also did a good job with her role. Can’t wait to see more from Ron cause I always liked Ron. I’m sure Louise will do good too. He’s always a good villain. So far so good!!!
By the way, how come no reviews yet for this drama? Prob not much to talk about since first week wasn’t too exciting.
yeah.. roger and krystal is really good!!
btw who is this gal pestering ROn in the series? looks cute 😉
I think they’ve been paired up before?? Not too sure if I’m correct though.
This is a great series! Love Roger and Kristal’s acting.
Good Drama! Roger is an amazing actor! Kristal look old n weird with that red hair.
that was a very good drama that Roger Kwok filmed the “black white soul”!!!! 🙂
he is an amazing actress in tvb!!!!
he and actress?…
yea….<3
how is this news? this was very depictable from his past role in Last One Standing.
My fav actor! So glad he’s back, I love the D.I.E 1 and 2 because of him, so funny!
Love this drama so far! Roger’s performance is amazing (as usual). However, I can not stand that girl who is going after Ron Ng. I think her name is Lisa Lau… yea that pork chop.
She looks scary. It’s either her eyes (too deep) or her PS cheeks (way too high). Reminds me of one of those scary dolls in thriller movies.
Plastic surgery gone wrong..
She looks like Chucky
I have the same thoughts….her eyes look weird. The plastic surgeon didn’t do a good job. I avoid her scenes cos she looks scary.
I agree. Her overly plastic looking face makes me cringe Everytime she appears
She is a former Miss HK contestant from 2011. Before she joined the pageant she had some PS done. She used to look like this: http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/images/apple-photos/apple/20110807/large/07ec1p14new.jpg
Dammmmm Miss former HK is scary looking lol……
You sure it is her? Sure?!
She’s actually prettier before her PS, if she has the right make up. Now her facial features just don’t gel together.
To Funn: Yup, it’s her. Comparison pic: http://static.apple.nextmedia.com/images/apple-photos/apple/20110614/large/14ec5p3n.jpg
Concur! I wonder how much she had to put out to get that role? Too artificial! Eliza Sam would be much better for that role.
If she learns to speak Cantonese.
Eliza Sam suits the role better
I honestly don’t think it could be as good as Last One Standing.
He’s really getting my hopes up, I hope he delivers what he promises, cause that is like the best TVB drama in the last 10 years IMO.
He’s also right about being the only TVB actor who can pull it off. I daresay the only actor in HK that could portray that same character type believably.
Kinda shocked that he likes the Walking Dead though, it’s so generic and gory. I guess maybe it’s seen differently over there since there really isn’t anything similar to it in China/HK.
I thought TVB had a few good dramas in the last 10 years. Recently there was Highs and Lows + Triumph in The Skies. I really really enjoyed those ones. Emergency Unit was another good one. Even Heart of Greed and Drive of Life are within the 10 year range. These are Dramas that I would watch over and over again. But of course pretty few good dramas in the span of 10 years as compared to 10 years before that.
His acting is amazing
last one standing is sooo good!!! my favourite series from roger. he was so good in it! his evi/bad role left a huge impression. still scared from that role lol
Last one standing was excellent and I like Roger, because most series with him are better than average, unlike many overrated actors at TVB.
I like Roger!!! He is really good
I love, love this drama. It gets better and better, I cant wait till his evil side show. Rarely, any drama can keep me watching after the first episode these days. This drama is one of those that I wait to watch everyday.
In today’s Entertainment News interview with Roger Kwok, he clarified the above article comments and stated that the interview was taken out of context and/or misleading to many viewers. He stated that many of the article comments were not made by him at all.
As for Lisa Lau, she is definitely a lousy actress; too overbearing and unbelievable. First she is supposed to be “smart” and worldly learning from her dad as well as being sent to school abroad but yet manage to get in trouble as a reporter using flash photography instead of using a still or vdo format without flash and have that “puppy love” mentality. Yuk!
Papaz twisting his words? Why am I not surprised?
I love this show.. One of the best so far. Can’t wait to see him turn evil!
Nah LOS is the rare masterpiece anyways thumbs up to u Roger Kwok!!!!!!!!!
I love Roger’s acting but am tired of modern crime series or modern and pre. Identify series only. When will TVB ever put out the money to make a high quality ancient series. I really miss the good old days when TVB made mostly ancient series… Sigh.. Those were the nostalgic days.
Meant to say pre modern
I disagree. I actually do prefer modern series than pre-modern or ancient series. The latter always disappoints me in terms of scenes (Having a modern car accidentally filmed in an ancient series). At least, in modern dramas, things can be as new, or old as they want without raising suspicions.
Not to say all ancient/pre-modern dramas are bad, just that it’s not my type haha. I guess different people have different likes.
Well that is your preference and opinion since each of us have different preferences. I love ancient series more since they are more enjoyable to watch,have nicer scenery,costumes,etc… You can learn a lot too,but of course you can learn from modern series too. Ancient series is like a refuge fir me while we all live in the modern world so do we need to be reminded of all the pains and presures of life? I remember back in the days,my family and I watched mainly ancient series only and only saw a few of the classic modern series. I honestly only started to,watch modern series recently and found them enjoyable too,but still do not like them as much as my ancient series. However,I enjoy the other ones and not many TVB series these days are good, I guess modern series are way cheaper and easier to make versus ancient series.
At least,I have many good China ancient series to enjoy. I have even tried Korean ancient series but do not like a single one.
I remember once at this other forum, a thread asked the members if they preferred modern or ancient series and many liked ancient series.However, you are right different people have different taste. I have to admit that I still miss a good ancient series from TVB and wonder if they will ever put out the money and effort to make some decent/good ancient series again?
Exactly what I want to see more! Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, Face to Fate, Eternal Happiness… Not the ones where the King’s wives fight with each other though.
I definitely can see the resemblance of Last One Standing and this.
Was they the one with Kevin and Yoyo.
yes…
Thanks Ray!
The only people upholding tvb now is Kristal and Ruco.
I just cant imagine that Lisa girl without makeups..
Roger is a incrediblely amazing actor
Roger’s acting is alright, but it is nowhere near a “rare masterpiece.” Even if the script was better, ugly ‘Gillian’ will ruin it.
Maybe at the very beginning Gillian do acts like a bimbo, but I think she improves quite quickly. Same thought like you, I think her plastic surgery wasnt doing a good job but i started enjoying her acting skills now then her look. I think she has potential.
I enjoy watching Roger Kwok on Black heart and white Soul. He exemplified what a great actor he truly is. Continue the good work.
“Roger admitted that there haven’t been many TVB dramas that have managed to draw him in longer than ten minutes. However, he did manage to watch most of The Ultimate Addiction ”
I question what he thinks is a good drama…
I hv to say that modesty obviously isnt one of Roger’s virtues!
I would not say so. I think Roger was a hot shot or anything like that. He never thought too highly of himself or showed off much. I would rather someone be honest instead of pretending to act all modest on the outside but wanting something and thinking the direct opposite in the inside. Now those people are often scarier because they san bite you when you least expect it.
Meant to say “can”.
Meant to say was never a hot shot….gosh,I really need the edit button!
There’s a difference betw humble/modest and being a hypocrite. To me, roger comes across as being arrogant and too full of himself which makes him sound obnoxious. But seeing that someone here claimed that roger said he was being quoted out of context, i’ll probably just give him benefit of the doubt.
Another example of how to not believe everything you read. Of course,things can quoted out of context and stuff. If you dislike anyone, then you’d blast them at any chance you get but if you are neutral or like anyone,you’d more likely give them the benefit of the doubt. I mean “you” in general and not aiming at anyone. From what I know of Roger,he does not seem like the arrogant type.
I thought I won’t be liking this show because I’m actually more to those dramas that shows the emperors, martial arts.
However, after trying to watch this show at Episode 1. ‘Well, not bad! I think i could try watching this’ And yeah it did get my attention and I’m following the story now. The actors and actress there are well-known. Roger Kwok & Kristal. I like watching these 2 actors!
To call any TVB drama a “masterpiece” much less “rare masterpiece” is kind of stretching one’s credibility a bit too far and sounds very much like blowing one’s own trumpet! It would be good to exercise some self-restraint.
I still can’t believe he watches walking dead. Walking dead is my favorite show! It’s like the only show I would try hard to find it and then watch it.
I have never like Ron’s ways of acting so far, because he always got the same scripts like impatient, hot tempered or childish roles. He also speaks too fast and has never proven his acting skills. But this drama shows a different him which really opens my eyes. Very well done and I enjoy the way he acted here, very matured and level headed and its refreshing and so different. TVB should have given him such role long time ago. If this continues, he could be a leading actor soon.
Ron stand out in this drama compare to some of his drama. He’s good thou nt as much as kristal n kwok
After episode 21, So Far So Good 🙂