TVB’s “Elegant Transformation” Halts Plans to Film in Vietnam

TVB is forced to change its plans to film upcoming drama Elegant Transformation <華麗轉身> in Vietnam after Hong Kong issued a red travel alert triggered by the country’s recent anti-China protests. The cast expresses relief and calls the decision wise and reasonable.

Elegant Transformation is a modern drama helmed by director Chong Wai Kin (莊偉建), who has just finished work on the soon-to-air The Ultimate Addiction <點金勝手>. It will reunite classic TVB couple Liza Wang (汪明荃) and Damian Lau (劉松仁) and will also star first time collaborators Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣), Alex Fong (方力申), and Eliza Sam (岑麗香). The series is scheduled to begin filming in June with location shoots in Vietnam set for August.

Due to the escalating protests and negative sentiments towards Chinese people in Vietnam, TVB has decided to put its artistes and crew’s safety first and has cancelled plans to film in the Southeast Asian country. The company is currently scouting for a new location and is considering Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Director Chong spoke about the situation on May 19, saying that although they would have to give up filming against Vietnam’s beautiful backdrop, the cast and crew has very legitimate reasons to worry about their safety during this sensitive time.

TVB’s “Top Sister” Liza Wang applauds her company’s decision, saying that the situation in Vietnam is complex and could even be life-threatening. Damian Lau agrees and believes that his company is doing the right thing by making safety top priority. Linda Chung also expressed relief, revealing that her parents were nervous about her upcoming work trip.

Alex Fong, who is eager to film his first major comeback since 2005’s My Family <甜孫爺爺>, praised TVB as well for the change of plans. “Of course we must take care of everyone’s safety. It really is quite messy in Vietnam, so it is a good idea to change location.”

Source: stheadline.com

This article is written by Katrine for JayneStars.com.

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Responses

  1. I am super excited for this cast, especially Alex Fong! I hope they reveal the genre of the drama soon, other than it being “modern”

  2. i also look forward to this drama! hope they find a new location to film soon! 😛

    1. There should be no problem in getting a new location and the only loss is Vietnam’s.

      1. Why Vietnam is getting the loss? Vietnam is not the one that create all this mess. Used your brain to think who started out this world mess? Why can’t we all live in peace? What belong to what country then leave it alone? Why would you want to do such things…,

      2. In addition, Vietnam is very rich now and have lot of tourist. Without those TVB actress and actor is it really a loss? TVB actress and actor are horrible compare to Korean. They’re pretty and act much better.

      3. @shoot

        In a way, it’s a loss to Vietnam since TVB does have quite a lot Vietnamese viewers. It would be exciting to have the drama film there.

        Let’s not get too political! And I don’t understand why you would drag Korean actors into this.

      4. It is hard to not get political because that is what it is. Anyone that thinks negatively about Vietnam really need to research more about it and then you will see why. Protests happen everywhere but for different reasons so it is not only Vietnam.

      5. Shoot says Vietnam is ‘very rich’ now. hahaha, he must have shot himself in the wrong foot or into his head.

        Vietnam is not the one that create all this mess. They are the ones who went on an uncivilised violent rampage. Used your brain to think who started out this world mess.

        The Paracels are within China EEZ as much as it is within Vietnam’s. In fact, it is nearer to Hainan island then to any Vietnamese coast.

        And Vietnam has also allocate some parcels of the sea to foreign oil companies, and this was few years ago too. If Vietnam can do it, why not China?

        Used your brain to think who started out this world mess.

      6. “Vietnam is not the one that create all this mess.”

        Correction:
        Vietnam IS the one that create all this mess.

      7. Use your little brain to read the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea 1982 to understand the following facts:
        1. Hainan is merely an island hence cant use 200 nautical miles because it is only applied for land.
        2. China came in the disputing areas without any announcement to Vietnam.
        3. The Chinese ships had violent actions toward Vietnamese ships.
        4. China started everything first. They are trying to ruin the DOC in order to get the sea area of Vietnam.

        Not only the sea area with Vietnam, China is involving in the Senkaku dispute with Japan. The intention to get oil in land of other countries makes China create a mess.

      8. @Agent orange – Read some facts before you speak!!

      9. Not only Vietnam and Japan, China also violated international law with its aggressive behavior in the West Philippines Sea

      10. I suggest you 3 stooges, nori, jay and alluka read more and be more enlightened about world affairs and not be blinded by your own little minuscule local propaganda.

        Use more of your little brain, if you still have them.

        Vietnam came in the disputing areas without any announcement to any countries with the same claims. That includes with the Philippines over the spratleys which is far from vietnam’s coast.
        Tsk tsk, the viets cannot claim 200 miles EEZ on this one.

        The viet ships had violent actions toward Chinese ships, ramming them many times.

        Vietnam started everything first. They are trying to ruin the DOC in order to get the sea area of China.

        Not only the sea area with China, vietnam is involving in the Spratleys dispute with Philippines , Brunei and Malaysia. The intention to get oil in land of other countries makes Vietnam create a mess.

        It is also bullying small Brunei over Spratleys knowing they have less than a million people and literally no military, and also taking advantage of Malaysia’s quietness over the claims.

        Vietnam is taking everybody for a ride by going beserk and painting themselves as the victim, and china the bully just because they are losing and cannot get their toys.

      11. @Jay,
        Read more facts first before you speak!!

        Otherwise, it makes you sound very stupid. But oh btw, you have not even said anything here. How much of facts do you know then? Most likely zero.

      12. Diaoyu belongs to China, not Japan. Just because Japan took it when it colonized Taiwan does not make it theirs.

        And USA blindly and foolishly without consultation ‘give’ the island back to Japan to administer in the 1970s is invalid when it does not belong to them, either US or Japan in the first place.

        How can they give something they don’t even own or have????

        The 3 stooges should better learn something new here.

      13. @Alluka,
        You said “Hainan is merely an island hence cant use 200 nautical miles because it is only applied for land.”

        This is an excuse. Vietnamese are very good at this kind of calling it bluff; pulling a fast one.

        Philippines’ claims to the Spratleys is precisely due to their Pahlawan ISLAND 200 mile zone. is that not an island, dumbo?

        And Japan’s claim is also due to their Okinawa island. Is that also not an island, Dumbo x 2???

        And even that, Diaoyu is nearer to Taiwan than it is to Okinawa. Those Viet will sure argue on this, both are islands !

        Taiwan is a bigger island. Otherwise, how Australia as an island claim Tasmania????

        Do use common sense!

      14. Obviously, we’re talking to someone who came from communist China. No matter what we say, that person is still be able to twist the truth from right to wrong and from wrong to right. What a waste of my breath!

      15. I can see such a stupid brat who has never read Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea 1982. Go, learn and read first to know what an ISLAND can do and how many nautical miles they can use. The 9 points tongue of China is reasonable? Use common eyes to see and we all know the truth that who is the bullier. The tongue covers ALL the sea area to Philippines, which is far from China. The two archipelagos are proven to belong to Vietnam in ancient documents provided to La Haye. China uses an official letter of a non-authority at that moment to say that Vietnam gave the two archipelagos but in fact, that official letter mentioned nothing about giving the two archipelagos but only allow China to go into the area of those two archipelagos.

        The ships of China attacked Vietnamese ships many times. They even killed the normal fishmen working in that area. There is no evident to say that Vietnam attack China civil ships.

        In the whole Senkaku dispute, China showed the same attitute for what they are doing to the two archipelagos of Vietnam, which makes them a big mess. ASEAN is siding Vietnam, Russia and US announces the support to Vietnam, which makes China a bigger mess.

        Overall, China should solve the internal problems instead of going out to steal land and sea of other countries. The new bomb has been appeared. Do not use foreign disputes to make their citizens forget about the internal problems.

        So think with any brain you have.

      16. Hello ;))

        The seas belongs to Vietnam and you have to read the international sea law first.

      17. Obviously, China is creating the mess w/ neighbors. For now, only Japan, Philippines, Vietnam.
        In the future, probably Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei.

      18. Guys, it’s obvious someone has been drinking the “red” kool-aid. leave it be…

    2. Shhot: “Vietnam is very rich now” I actually LOL. No, Vietnam is not rich, they do look rich, but in reality, they are sooo corrupted. The rich is super rich and the poor is super poor.

  3. alex fong is a pretty good actor watched a few of his mainland dramas

  4. I am looking forward to Liza & Damian’s reunion since their golden classic “Geng Wah Chun Mung” back in the 70s. I’m still teary whenever I listen to the theme songs.

  5. Not another Linda Chung series, but at least she is not the main lead. The casting for this series isn’t exciting. It’s going to be another boring drama

    1. What makes u think Linda is not the main lead? She definitely will be one of the main characters. There’s 4 of them. Alex and Linda will be main for their story. Liza and Damian will be main for their story. Of course u can choose not to watch it lol.

    2. You say this about every drama except Wayne’s….obviously a very biased Wayne fan.

      1. With Lisa Wong here, Linda is obviously not the female lead. It will focus more on Lisa-Damian

      2. @lol

        People here have the right to express their opinions. I am a die hard fan of Wayne too as well as Kenneth ma.

        Linda tends to act the same in all her series even with silmar roles. She always act the weak, innocent, or the girl next door, who needs to be protected

      3. No, what I meant is that Sheldon says every drama is boring except wayne’s

    3. Most of Lisa Wong or Damian’s dramas tends to be sooooo boring! I think I will skip this. Not really sure of Alex fong’s acting. His mainland dramas are usually dubbed, can’t really tell is his acting is okay, need to count on their facial expression

  6. Liza Wang in the lead??? Noooooo…I rather have Michelle Yim.

  7. Put a green screen background on Vietnam in TVB Studios, unless they have don’t have experience editors to do it.

  8. btw does anyone know when did Eliza join this series, no mention of it before ??

  9. TVB is on its downfall. I don’t find its series interesting anymore. No matter who they invited to film.

  10. We have to know clearly about TV series and government policies. We don’t talk about anything when we don’t know.

  11. safety is important, so good not to go to VN now. I like the casts list! cant wait to see it!

  12. Wow, Alex Fong, Will definitely be anticipating this drama, seeing as Damian Lau is back. His previous show was a wreck, and Alex Fong’s sequel was disappointing. Let’s see how this turns out.

    As for Vietnam, nothing more than 3rd world barbarians, sadly. Nothing more to say and hope that no one innocent is hurt.

    1. Are you from 4th or 5th world barbarian? Actually you seem lower than that level.

    2. Protests happen anywhere and everywhere. How does that make Vietnam, which is a country not a name for the citizens by the way, full of “barbarians”?

    3. “3rd world barbarians”

      Wow! What an ignorant thing to say. It’s sad to know that there are people like you that are so narrow-minded and prejudice in this world.

    4. …. 3rd world barbarians? What are China and Hong Kong then….? Pls don’t judge a situation that you are not personally involved…..

    5. You’re so pathetic. Obviously, you don’t even know what’s going on now. Think before you speak!

    6. You should do more research and educate yourself before you say anything. what a mean and rude thing to say.

    7. It’s even sadder that a 3rd world barbarian like you is lurking among the forumers. How abhorrent!!!

      1. You know what else is sad about you “netizens”? You gals are the sole reason that netizens have a bad name. Can’t express a simple opinion/comment without being scolded. Go watch The Monkey King to calm your peanuts. While you’re at it, try going to Vietnam, especially the southern side. Maybe then you guys will understand what I mean.

        All in all, ya’ll netizens are lame.

    8. Hahaha you guys take this so seriously. Obviously you guys have not been to Vietnam, especially in the southern side. I’ve been there numerous times and witnessed both first-world and third-world accounts of it. Sure, the impression of the 3rd world part is what is left on me. No point in arguing with you airheads as well. Evidently, you guys have not been outside of your “first-world” country enough.

      1. ” I’ve been there numerous times and witnessed both first-world and third-world accounts of it. Sure, the impression of the 3rd world part is what is left on me.”

        You been there done that and haven’t learn a thing. LOL!

      2. Go to a poor place in US and you will see more than your life has ever witnessed. Look like you have not travelled much to see what is happing in this world now. You are a frog in a small well.

    9. Wake up, Mainland China is being a big bully, claiming all these islands are theirs, when, for years, it has been claimed, and inhabited by countries already–Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, etc. All because they discovered there’s oil in those areas.

  13. Ok, they choose Thailand at this moment, such a wiser choice */sacarsm*. They should understand that nobody but China creates the current mess so as long as they do not do anything illegal, they are safe.

  14. The Alex Fong here is Fong Lik Sun, not Fong Chung Sun.

  15. The Chinese will also side with China, and the Vietnamese will side with Vietnam. While everyone is within rights to express their views, but i say take it to the appropriate forum. This is not a place for political propaganda nor an arena for political discussion.

    1. With that said, China is at odds with Philippines, Japan, Vietnam odds over (territorial claims) and the US for hacking and stealing trade secrets … so who started what? Recently, China warns the Philippines if it continued to challenge China it would pay “an unaffordable price”.
      Threats? Perhaps!!

      1. The US is the most sophisticated hacker in the world. If they can spy domestically and internationally, why shouldn’t they expect China not to spy as well?

    2. The Chinese will also side with China, and the Vietnamese will side with Vietnam”

      Well, I don’t think so. We express our thought for what we think is right not because of nationality. I’m not Vietnamese. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan and we always consider ourselves as Taiwanese not CHINESE.

      1. What you said reminds me of this former classmate of mine who is from a Taiwan but hates being called Chinese and only considers himself Taiwanese.

  16. I bet most Hong Kong people would rather consider themselves Hong Kongers and not Chinese. Chinese as in Mainland Chinese are notorious for the rudest tourists around the world. They’re loud, rude, label-addicts, ill-mannered (I have traveled the world enough to know they don’t even know what queuing is). It’s like a teenager who’s given a lot of money but didn’t finish school. New found wealth enables them to become money hungry bullies, now messing with their neighboring countries. They wouldn’t leave Taiwan alone. Now trying to steal rice bowls from Vietnam and the Phillipines among other country. Be careful, Mainland China, you can be like Julius Ceasar.

    1. Yes, they lack manners, etiquette, and courtesy, especially those from rural China. Queuing is very foreign to them, an orderly concept they don’t seem to grasps, they take what they want and don’t care who has it first, who it belongs to, it’s what the Chinese want, the Chinese gets, from its people to its government.

    2. Yea, I had many students from China and yea,they were lazy,rude,irresponsible,etc… But they were not that bad to me since they were my students,but I still noticed how they lacked so many very basic mannerisms. I think part of the reason was many were the only child from rich families so were very spoiled and lacked respect for everyone and had a careless attitude.

      1. Only child from rich family is no excuse. The parents lack manners, set bad examples, the kids are not taught manners, it’s simple as that.

    3. Those idiots don’t follow rules. In Chinatown, they’ll even “triple” park their cars leaving only one lane open for moving vehicles. So despicable!!! haha 🙂

      And, those new “diagonal” pedestrian crosswalks (OMG, which idiot came up with that idea)? Those “old” Chinese with “walkers” (who walk turtle slow) love to start crossing (on a diagonal) when the counter is below “3”. Then, they get stuck in the middle of the intersection and no cars can go. And, when they finally cross to the other side, the lights turn red and the cars still can’t go. The idiot who designed the new “diagonal” pedestrian crosswalks ought to be shot.

  17. I have nothing against Chinese (mainland) people, but I’m really disgusted by the Government. The Chinese Gov’t can be so evil to their own people, mind you, other countries.

    1. Me too, I am fine with Chinese people. I really hate communist parties, especially the Chinese communist government. They are so brutal, nasty, and evil. What can we expect from people that their mass media and internet are controlled and censored by the Chinese gvrn. It’s such a lier in tianmen massacre and Falun Gong Practice.
      In this South China Sea case, I read AP, NY times, Reuters which neither Vietnam or Chinese news. It seem too me like the Chinese communist is the one create the mess w/ its neighbors. What is going happens if they move the oil drilling thing to the disputed islands near Malaisia and Indonasia?

  18. THAILAND??! LOL..They might want to rethink about that one too.

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