Lai Lok Yi Boosts Masculinity, Hoping to Reach New Career Heights
Turning 30-years-old, Lai Lok Yi said he was not in a rush to date. However, he was full of aspirations in his career. He hoped to increase his masculinity as he aged and looked towards Moses Chan Ho as his goal, hoping to become a first-line actor!
Lai Lok Yi and former Mr. Hong Kong, Hui Ka Kit, represented TVB to participate in the Strictly Come Dancing 3 <舞動奇迹3>competition in Changsha. Although he did not know how to dance, Lok Yi bravely faced the challenge ahead. “I just know Nancy Sit’s frequently used ten dance steps. However, I am not worried. When I arrive, there will be professional dance instructors to learn from.”
Hoping Reach New Career Heights
Since numerous TVB artists were leaving the company, 30-year-old Lai Lok Yi admitted that he had a quickened desire to “slip into position.” He hoped to boost his masculine look as he grew older and achieve new heights in his career. “Who does not want to become a lead actor? The higher your position is, you can choose better roles. However, men have to reach a certain age before they have a masculine feel. Not everyone is as handsome as Raymond Lam Fung. I just turned 30-years-old. Hopefully, in the future, I can be as successful as Moses Chan.”
Denied Dating Toby Chan
Regarding his love life, Lok Yi revealed that he recently broke up with a girlfriend outside the entertainment industry. Allegedly, Lok Yi was spotted on an ice cream date with Miss Hong Kong 2010 winner, Toby Chan Ting Yan in the Stanley district. Lok Yi joked that he was a non-romantic person and often dined in the Stanley district. “I often have dinner withEkin Cheng and Yoyo Mung Ka Wai in the Stanley area. Since the area is not very crowded, it is very suitable for artists and the prices are not very expensive.”
Lok Yi noted that he was only ordinary friends with Toby Chan, however he did not stifle the possibility of developing the relationship further. “I do not know if she has a boyfriend or not. How about you ask her? If I am dating, there is no need to lie. Right now, I am not dating.”
Source: Orientaldaily
Jayne: I still think that Lai Lok Yi has a long way to go in acting before he takes leading status. Despite his looks, his acting does not possess the depth of older, more mature characters.
Dear Mr Lai,
It is not always about masculinity. Moses for one isn’t masculine (see the way he runs!). It is acting skills. Polish that and you’re set. At this moment your acting skills is on the varying degrees of worry; very worried, kinda worried, sorta worried, deeply worried.
Moses has no acting skills neither. Most important is if he get promote from TVB. I doubt though
Agree with May.
TVB forces people they like down our throat by pairing them with reputable artist.
As a personal motivation for Mr. Lai, he needs to take lessons from people that have been in the industry but may not be as well known in the public’s eyes.
“Moses has no acting skills neither. Most important is if he get promote from TVB. I doubt though”
Agree with May too. Now I’ve realized that Moses can’t really act and is being liked mostly because of his clean good guy image. If what Bernice claimed is true that image is unreal too.
@ May,
Agree so much with your comment.
@Funn
You’re right, it’s not about masculinity. It’s attractive for a guy to have masculine features, but that doesn’t have much to do with acting and getting to the top. Personally, I find Raymond Lam to be quite feminine in the recent years, or is it just me? He has becoming less attractive not only because he appears less masculine compared to other actors (e.g., Ron and Bosco), but also because of his lack of quality and meaty roles. I tend to remember roles he portrayed early on in his career and like many have said, his image is too safe. Is he no longer taking anymore risks or is TVB just not casting him in a variety of roles? After Heart of Greed, I felt like he just deteriorated into the background.
I hope Lai Lok Yi realizes that it isn’t about masculinity that puts Moses in lead roles, but acting ability. (Even though I’ve warmed up to Moses in his recent comedy series, he’s only good for comedy. He’s boring and his acting is superficial when it comes to portraying dramatic characters.) Sure being tall and masculine may give the actor an added edge, but I still believe that nurturing those acting skills and learning how to convey emotions before the camera is more important. There are many TVB actors who has the masculinity, body, and looks to be leading actors (e.g., Matthew Ko), but when it comes to acting, many less masculine actors who always play supporting roles are better than them. Personally, I find Oscar Leung to be cute and I enjoy most, if not all, of the minor characters he plays.
Matthew Ko is given second leading role but he failed. I don’t see Matthew’s look is masculine, as well as Bosco.
Refer to LF, I don’t think his roles are too safe. Maybe some roles like GGJ or Kingsley are fit, but the roles like Mo Ching is not. Any roles he did with LKH has troubles (and boring). Not only him but most of TVB top stars now face the same problems. How many times we have to see Ron as a cop? About 10 =.=.
BTW, Oscar is always in my fave list. His acting is better than most of TVB actors, he just lacks the luck.
I am glad you voice it because I do agree with you about his image is more feminine nowadays. Raymond didn’t look good with his recent image in his concert. There are some artists look fabulous in funky wardrobes and new hairstyles, unfortunately, Raymond is not one of them. I dare say Bosco and Ron are just real awesome dudes, they would look good in anything.
Lai Lok Yi is given leading roles. However, he lacks something. Jacky Wu is similar. Also had second leading roles and ended up with supporting now.
But the worst case is Matt Yeung. He is someone in the background at the moment.
@ Lacey: Which concert you are referring to? Last year’s? This Panda hairstyle is very cute if you see it in real life, not through the pictures.
However, I like him feminine like this than his old image. More eye candy.
Different views, hehe.
@Fox, Of course, I’m not saying all of his roles are safe, but in general, his roles haven’t been too memorable. Mo Ching was a different character, but the series failed to have a good script as a support. Because the series and characters were based off of a novel, it wasn’t TVB who created the good character, but the author of the novel. I don’t know if the series follows the novel faithfully, but most TVB adaptions don’t. I wonder if it was followed more closely, would the series have been better and his acting more noticeable? Also, because Raymond has broken into the singing industry and has to split his time between singing and acting, he appears in less series these days. Therefore, there isn’t much we can comment on. At most, he has 2 series released per year. Or only one?
You mean Jack Wu? I remember commenting that he was a fine actor back in To Grow with Love, but after that, he slowly faded behind the scenes. I think he’s too short to take leading roles too. Although some TVB leading actors like Kevin Cheng are only 5’8-ish, Kevin has a more handsome look while Jack doesn’t have the charisma to lead a series. Jack’s features are quite plain while Lok Yi’s are just boring although he has the height. Yes, Jack and Lok Yi just lacks charisma and Oscar lacks luck. Oscar is also very short, btw.
@Fox, Oops forgot to add this. Agreed, Matthew was second lead in Man in Charge. His character had potential to be very interesting to watch even though it was only a low-budget production, but Matthew had the same look throughout the entire series. It made me just laugh, but I still thought his character was more realistic than Kenneth Ma’s. Like I said in my post below, I think Matthew has the charisma and looks and although he may not be masculine, but he’s more likable than Lok Yi.
Lol, actually can you name any “memorable character” in TVB series now? The script is very poor.
The Four and Sidamingbu, dun have many common points at all :P. If you read the novels, you will know. TVB changed a lot.
@Fox I didn’t read the novels, but I’m not surprised that they changed a lot of the plot in the series. They usually do that and fans of the novels are usually pissed at how they don’t follow the novel faithfully. Unless their changes are more logical and interesting than what’s written in the novel, I don’t understand why TVB writers have all this time to change things around. Wouldn’t it just be easier to follow the original story? That way viewers would have less to be critical about even if the production comes out only average. On the contrary, when they change things, they would be responsible for the messed up script.
Actually only the characters’ name and main character of 4 constables are kept, the rest are changed. Chi Yin is a new created character. Chui Ming is the most different among 4 while Lang Huet and Mo Ching’s chac are kept quite ok. At least lucky that they dun let Mo Ching walk (like the Taiwan version) or being a girl (new movie). Mo Ching is my most favourite character in the novel.
Fu yu fan yun is more pitiful :P. All in FYFY is changed, even the main characters (Hon Pak from 1st lead => 2nd lead. Lang Fan Yun is supporting and Fung Hung Lit from 3rd lead to 1st lead. And the whole content is changed. Lol, Fung Hung Lit’s wife becomes Lang Fan Yun’s friend. Hon Pak’s girls become Fung Hung Lit’s and the all Mongolia pop up from nowhere).
@ Chriselle
It actually kinda hard to follow the original story for ‘The Four’. This is because the age difference of the constables is actually quite big. Chui Ming is around 10 years older than Mong Ching. ‘Young 4 Constables’ is written in such a way that each constable has their own book and only meet the others fleetingly. I’ve only read ‘Young Chui Ming’, so, I don’t know whether there is 5th book where the 4 constables will combine or not.
Chui Ming in the book is nothing like the Chui Ming in the series. The costume alone is already wrong. Series Chui Ming is always well-dressed, but, book Chui Ming often dress is rags and is a drunkard. He’s quite eccentric.
@ Kidd: Wen Rui On says that he is working with young 4 constables. He finished Young Tit Sau, Young Zhui Ming, Young Mou Ching and Young Zhuge (Xiao Wah :P). Then he was busy with other chacs like Li Bouyi or Fang something I don’t rmb.
BTW, have few novels in the series with all 4 constables, like 4 constables vs General or 4 constables in the capital.
Young Mou Ching is nothing similar to TVB’s The Four. Young Mou Ching was about the kid Mou Ching and his first love (then becomes his enemy).
I like Zhui Ming in the novel than any Zhui Ming on series. I like the way he cares for others.
Lol, Tit Sau is always my less fave chac. He is kinda… boring :P.
@ Fox
Not Xiao Wah lah, Xiao Hua (Little Flower). 😀
At least, they include Xiao Tou (Zhui Ming’s first love). But, she died in a different way.
Oh yeah, my bad :P. Mr Little Flower.
And they change the age when Mou Ching lost his legs. Actually WRO is also changed it times. First Mou Ching dun have legs, then he has fake legs, then in one (Mou Ching vs Rat) he has legs and even can move a little (due to the hardworking practice). He also changed Mou Ching’s ages few times. Not consistent throughout all.
I mostly read about Mou Ching :P.
Fox, why did they insist that Mou Ching had to walk around? His character is compelling because of his brilliant mind anyway. Hehe which is why I like Raymond’s Kingsley character despite many people disagreeing.
His walk is like a hidden weapon in the novel :P. However, WRO makes this walk like the result of practice and kinda logic.
Jayne oh Jayne, why? Why? Kingsley? The wimp? The coward? The sissy? Even sissys are more manly. The man who used calculators and can’t calculate love? The guy who wears 3 sizes too small and did not invest in some good underwear? the one who think vest means intellectual when he looks like a bartender and yet other times dressed like he is ready for some ball 5 minutes later? Ok those are superficial but the one who speaks so softly only dogs can hear?
Jayne.. why? WHY?!
@Funn, Kingsley’s dress style cannot be used against him. You know some of the brightest intellectual men don’t know how to love and care for women in the proper, attentive manner?
I like his character more for personal fantasy reasons. Shy, handsome young Physics professor with brilliant mind is enough for me. 🙂 Even if another actor, such as Bosco Wong or Kenneth Ma played the role, I would have liked the character.
Btw, I liked Matt Damon in “Good Will Hunting” hehe as well. It is the quiet, handsome academic characters that I like, although a masculine, fit cop role isn’t bad either.
@ Funn: Are you a bit exaggerated? I know you hate Kingsley but what you said is exaggerated. Especially this quote: “the one who speaks so softly only dogs can hear“.
Ok, maybe dress sense can’t be helped. BUT the way he just stood by and let his ultra pretentious family ripped his beloved and her family apart is unacceptable. I feel there is nothing romantic or redeeming about him. Jayne, don’t be lured by his professorship. There must be other better intellectuals more deserving of your love! Let me think… I am thinking… ok, let me think some more..
Funn, there are very few lead shy, quiet academic male roles in TVB series. The best equivalent would be scholarly roles in ancient dramas. Btw, I liked Damien Lau in a perhaps forgotten role as Li Bai the poet in an old, old RTV series as well. Men spouting poetry is quite mesmerizing! Even the intellectual doctors and lawyer roles, they have to make them into smart-mouth womanizers.
Not many people want to see a lead man with books in his hands, they’ll rather see him slinging guns or swords. There is attraction in both, but academic roles are few and should be treasured.
Kenneth Ma.. ah yes he was in it, as the playboy. Don’t like him either. BUT their clothes, so tight. Their pants, super tight. I do pity the actors having to squeezed into those tiny shirts and tinier pants.
Funn, consider it fan rewards for female viewers. It’s the current skinny leg trouser trend.
@ Funn: Did we watche the same the series? Didn’t he stand out for SLM (against Anastasia and his parents) :P? BTW, maybe your bias toward Kingsley is just like my view to SLM (and I know a lot of ppl disagree with me).
Gud nite 😛
We watched the same series but just with different eyes. That series is total crap. And I am not biased against Kingsley; he is just one of the worst written male lead character in TVB history. Not the worst, I shall reserve that for future series but one of the worst. I can however name the worst written female lead character but I rather not, even if my choice is subjective, I am sure many can name in their mine the worst, at least for each decade.
And I must agree though with Jane, some parts are eye candy, like the nice red shirt on Kenneth, the can’t remember which one but looks like a tuxedo for Ray. But the pants, so so tight. Skinny jeans/trouser.
Its name is Mystery of {Crappy} love, so you can’t blame :P.
His acting is still not up to par to be a leading actor yet. But it will help if he is given a good role to shine. I can’t really think of a memorable role for him right now because he is always outshined by the other actors. I still don’t find him charismatic. But who knows. As he mentioned, with age and maturity, his acting might eventually improve. He’s also not getting promoted very much. Unfortunately he is stuck with the same types of roles and is in line with the other Mr Hk’s like Matthew Ko and Stephen Huynh. It’ll be a while before he is as popular as Bosco, Ray and others his age. Hope he continues to work hard to achieve success so he can move up. Hope he will not be like the other guys that don’t seem to be going anywhere like Matt Yeung and Vin Choi.
Although it’s nice to hear that Lai Lok Yi wants to make it to the top and that he has the ambition to advance his career with so many actors leaving TVB, I, personally, don’t have much faith in his acting. Throughout his years with TVB, he still haven’t had a representative work with TVB. His most remembered work was probably Heart of Greed, and even for that, he didn’t win Most Improved Actor.
In terms of looks and acting, I find him to be boring. He’s just lacking charisma onscreen and I would much rather watch someone like Matthew Ko instead even though his acting still needs major improvements. Lok Yi is slightly better than Matthew in acting, but Matthew has those handsome features and charm that makes it a bit more tolerable to watch him act even though I find him to be a total joke, lol.
Heart of Greed? Frankly if you didn’t mention that I didn’t even remember he was in it. His role was unmemorable partly because it was so neglected.
@Funn I didn’t like Heart of Greed in general and although Raymond was only a guest star, his romance with Linda Chung is usually remembered by many. After all, that’s how their love rumors began.
Lol, in opposite, I even can’t recall why the Tong family argue. This family, the only thing in my mind is DDD’s ridiculous laugh.
Alfred’s death is one of the most memorable death recently – many ppl think so.
Funn is talking about Lai Lok Yi, Chirselle.
@Fox LOL! It took me a second to realize what DDD was. 😀 Btw, loving how people are referring to Virginia as 620 now. I don’t enjoy typing her name out either even if it’s only in English.
@ Chriselle: I just call it for short, I have no problem with her (and dun understand why ppl hate her that much). To type 620 and Virginia Lok, 620 to me. Just like I don’t bother type Raymond Lam or Raymond, LF is good enough (I dun call him Ray because Ray = Ray Lui to me).
@Fox Noo, I don’t care much about 620 either, lol. Just that it’s easier to type the numbers than her whole name out. It’s also a more creative way. 🙂
Hi 5. I also like the nicknames.
Chris Lai has the height and the looks to make him a potential future star for TVB. I found his acting skills has improved over the last couple of years. I am sure with more exposure to a wide variety of roles, he will definitely improve on his acting skills. I don’t know if it is my imagination or what, but he sort of look like the late singer Danny Chan.
A leading man, anyone is a leading man these days but someone who can carry a series? I don’t think so. He will make a good supporting actor, and someday perhaps a leading actor but to be one to hold the series together is something I do not see and frankly neither do I see that in Moses.
@Funn Good point! There is a difference between a lead actor for a series and an actor who CAN lead a series.
Agree that Moses still CAN’T lead a series even though he had many chances as leading man. Good point
If Lai wants to bank in on masculinity, he now has to compete with more masculine new stars such as Benjamin Yuen, William Chak and Law Chung Him. Now does TVB think he has potential to make it big or does TVB think these “new” masculine guys have better potential?
Did anyone here watch Hearts of Fencing? He was very good there. Very memorable and good acting, and a leading role too though it is just a youth series.
Hearts of Fencing? I can’t bear to watch the series because everybody including Chris make me cringe with their acting. TVB can’t make youth series.
I was actually smitten by Eddie Li in “Hearts of Fencing.” He is a big hunk, but his acting needs work.
The opening sequence was very nicely shot and I liked the show for the friendship factor and remind me of groups of friends hanging out in school. This is not the type of series you watch for acting, just like the F4 guys posed around in” Meteor Garden.”
Eddie Li is tall and big but as you said he can’t act. TVB have many tall and big guys but most of them have no charisma and can’t act such as Chris Lai, Eddie Li, Matthew Ko and some forgettable names.
The difference is the guys in F4 have charisma especially when put together although their acting might not be top notch. Meteor Garden started the whole idol drama genre
Eddie Li or Don Li? I don’t think I saw Eddie Li on Hearts of fencing.
Don Li is the one who acts Lai Lok Yi’s brother. He is EEG singer, boyfriend of Mandy Chiang.
@ Fox
Both Eddie Lee and Don Li are in Fencing. The are 4 leads in the series. Lai Lok Yi, Don Li, Eddie Lee and Sam Chan.
Don Li played Lok Yi’s brother. Eddie played a cool guy who Natalie Tong was head over heels in love with. Sam Lee paired with Elaine Yiu. Elaine Yiu showed a lot of potential in Fencing. Maybe that’s why she’s casted as lead in ‘Safe Guards’. Too bad she’s not up to the task at that time.
Hmm I too think that lai lok yi has a long way to go since his acting is mediocre in my opinion. It seems like tvb is promoting Raymond Wong more for leading roles. On the other hand, I think Ruco chan is pretty good in acting and has potential to move up.
I prefer TVB to promote Ruco Chan than Chris Lai. Ruco is old but his acting is better than Chris or the likes of Eddie Li, Matthew Ko.
You mean Don Li, right? Don Li is not TVB’s, he is EEG’s.
Fox, “Hearts of Fencing” starred Lai Lok Yi, Race Wong, Eddie Li and “Sunshine Heartbeart” starred Charles Szeto, Vivien Leo, and Don Li. The series are very similar in feel, thus many people confuse them. HOF revolved around fencing and SH revolved around volleyball with teenage love triangle as backdrop.
Eddie Li is the “Jerry Yan” hunk I like the most in the two series. He was recently spotted in “Only You” as Leanne Li’s husband.
I mean Eddie Li the 3rd or 4th line supporting actor. Is Don Li still existing? He didn’t reach anywhere with his career.
I have foggy memory on Hearts of Fencing but Eddie Li? Ah, I mistaken him with Eric Li :P. Now I rmb
Don Li is still with EEG but like Mandy Chiang, he is not active…
@ Jayne
Don Li was also in Fencing. I remember this clearly because Don Li’s character was my fave character in the series. He played Lai Lok Yi’s brother.
Don Li’s case is different from the other lead. The 3 other leads are TVB actors. Don Li is under EEG. His participation in TVB series is like Elle Koon, Yumiko Cheng, Stephy Tang, Bobo Chan. TVB just invite them to star in one or 2 series. Maybe as a work collaboration between EEG and TVB.
Don Li is actually pretty talented. He’s good singer and he can composed songs. The themesong of ‘A Handful Of Love’ and ‘Ten Brothers’ were composed by him.
@Kidd, now that you remind me, I remember Don Li was in Hearts of Fencing and he played Lai Lok Yi’s younger brother. I didn’t realize he composed music too…
Anything is possible in TVB. You just need to stay with TVB until the ends and your chance will show up. I used to watch Gallen Lo played villain role and never a lead role. His break came in At The Threshold of Era and he became big brother after that. Correct me if i’m wrong about that. Also, i never imagined Joe Ma to become a lead actor but boy was i wrong! And same with Wayne Lai. I like his acting but i never thought him being a main. I guess TVB does give their actors chance if you stick with them long enough.
@Darren Besides Joe, I’ve always loved Gallen and Wayne as an actor. Although I don’t quite consider either one of them handsome, I’ve always rooted for Wayne to be lead actor. Despite always starring alongside Steven Ma in several productions, Wayne has always outshined Steven. It’s true that with time, perseverance and luck, Lok Yi’s time will eventually come, but how long will that be? Joe didn’t receive lead roles until his 30’s and Wayne until his mid 40’s. Some artists gets discouraged by the way the entertainment circle is ran and because of a lack of connections or for other reasons, they drop out after a few years. Their investment will lie elsewhere, i.e., a career change or getting married. In time we will see if Lok Yi will be promoted, but in terms of acting he isn’t too convincing and mind-blowing. My point is that even if Wayne didn’t have the looks, his talent exceed many already leading TVB actors at the time. While Lok Yi after 8 years of being in the industry is still a nobody.
Hehe, I like Joe. He looks super cool.
i think it takes more than just good looks and fine acting skills to be lead.
one has to has some form of X factor, something attractive and luring enough to be a lead actor.
Lai Lok Yi is bland as anything and so dull on tv.
i really doubt he can ever be a lead actor.
if i see a show with him as lead, i wouldnt watch it to be honest.
his acting skills also leave much to be desired.
esp the abalone and mooncake shows.
(pardon me my chinese isnt good so i dont know the proper titles)
Hahaha. I like how you call those series Abalone and Mooncake. I cracked up at that haha.
I used to think Chris Lai was quite an eye candy cos of his height. However, if he wants to make it big, he definitely has to brush up on his acting skills since he doesnt have a single memorable role til date.
Chris is at least as handsome as Raymond. Personally I think Raymond is way overrated. Difference between then are that Raymond is being promoted like crazy be TVB.
Which Chris? Because if we are talking about this Chris, come on! Raymond (I assume Sleepingh Beauty Ray) is handsome. Come on! This guy is 30 looking like a very tired 40!
But that top picture, he looks like Danny Chan. If there is a biopic he can play Danny even if he is a bit too tall
Although even if Chris can look great like Raymond if his acting isn’t as good as Raymond it’s no good too. Go polish your acting first Chris or learn how to get promoted heavily the way Moses was promoted. Maybe bribe Virginia Lok
@ Funn: Just on the pictures :P. See him in real life his face is not tired.
i agree he don’t look that great in the pictures above. in the right clothes and hairstyle he is no different than Raymond in my eyes. Raymonds is 31 so maybe he should stop wearing “teenager” clothes and act like his age.
In the picture Chris Lai can’t carry that hairstyle. It makes him look 40 years old.
One say he looks 40, one say he acts teenage, funny :P.
Oh come on, 31 is still young. Look at Aaron Kwok, now that is someone who doesn’t dress his age but how should anyone dress their age? I am ok with how they dress.
@Vivien: Quite unfortunately, unlike Raymond, Chris doesn’t have money to bribe Virginia Lok.
If Chris want to be pretty guy like Raymond he can try some plastic surgery too. I’m not against surgery if the results are good.
I mean above that “I’m not against artists who did surgery if the results are good”
Lai Lok Yi doesn’t have English name. Christ is the Eng name TVB gave him, not his real English name. He doesn’t want to be called Christ.
Wait, so Chris not his real name? why TVB give him English name?
Maybe it’s easier to call him. He said tat Christ or Chris, both are not his Eng name. He is Lai Lok Yi, that’s all.
Chris has zero charisma and weak acting skills. He’s tall and ok looking but acting isn’t about looks.
I think Lai Lok Yi is handsome, but it’s the way he carries himself and he comes across more like overgrown boy with an aging facade.
Personally, I feel that the 80s and 90s actors already had greater acting credentials by the time they hit 30, versus latest crop of actors, Ron and Bosco, we are still waiting for their breakthrough.
Sorry Jayne, I’m watching some old 80s and 90s actors and I find that some of them doesn’t have good acting. They are very raw and kinda fake. I’m not talking about the newbies, I’m talking about the guys and girls who have leading roles. I can’t rmb all of their names.
And some series in 80s are not any better (in script) than now. Such as a series I’m watching about Liu Pong. Ok, the story is that: A beautiful girl didn’t want to be girl of a general, this general acted a normal guy (and bashed himself to make the beautiful girl happy, silly) then saved her out of “himself”. They shared one night in a cave without knowing name of each other, talked some nonsense thing. A day after that a friend of the general caught them and told the girl that he would kill the normal guy and the only way to save this guy is sleep with the general. The girl agreed and then the general appeared. The girl got mad and left him, the general was deeply in hurt. (it sounds messy, haha) I was like “huh huh huh” when I watched tat and can’t understand why someone can buy a script like this. It’s a touching love? Eww…
I think TVB’s current series has bad scripts but the 70-80s have some more weird. Maybe only the 90s are ok, to me.
I think the 90’s are the best era. That’s when we have Ada, Jessica, Flora, Kenix. I still remember how at that time I really look up to these dongkafadans of TVB. Ada won her Best Actress at the age of 25. Myolie, Tavia, Kate and Bernice are 32 and people still don’t view them as top fadans.
Even some less popular fadans such as Marianne, Nnadia Chan, Vivian Chow are very pretty and memorable.
P/S: The guy who acted the friend of the general is Bobby Au Yeung, when he was young and thin. Of course with a lot hair.
@Fox
Any other lead stars you can name? I watched a lot of 80s and 90s series but have no idea which series you are describing. Every era has their incapable and mediocre actors and bad series.
However, collectively as a whole, I think the 80s and 90s yielded more capable actors and actresses by the time they hit their early 30s versus these days, we are still waiting breakthroughs for actors such as Ron and Bosco to achieve the same acting credentials as earlier stars although they have been in the industry for 8-9 years. In the same amount of time, earlier 80s and 90s had already built up a very impressive acting resume. The filming schedule hasn’t truly changed, the only difference may be the amount of traveling for promo events, overseas concerts, album recording, random film roles that take up extra time.
70s and 80s-
Chow Yun Fat was late 20’s when he filmed “The Good, Bad, and the Ugly” (網中人). The hairstyles and the filming pace might be a little slow for you, but the story is a classic and chemistry between Chow Yun Fat and Dodo Cheng unbeatable. Chow’s role as the filial son willing to go to prison to pay off his mother’s gambling debts was a real tear-jerker.
Alex Man- I watched his old wuxia series from RTV days when he played Cheung Sam Fung (founder of taichi style). By his 20s, he was able to play wuxia heros and emperor roles with great leadership abilities. He truly gave his characters blood, flesh, and lots of tears.
Michelle Yim- Again I liked her since her old RTV days. She played a lot of beautiful wuxia heroines and added her own brand of mischievous, charisma to her roles.
Deric Wan- He was in late 20’s when he starred in his signature role as Cheng Ho Nam in “Blood of Good and Evil,” a complex character used to bottling up his emotions, while torn between loyalty to evil stepfather versus biological father. Deric truly portrayed his character’s journey of self-discovery remarkably. To this day, I still cannot see another actor who could have played the role better.
Sean Lau was in late 20s/ early 30s when he starred in Greed of Men (大時代). Watch the scene where his sisters get thrown off a building and died and Sean’s face contorted into grief, it will break your heart.
Gallen Lo- Many people acknowledged his acting skills in “Cold Blood Warm Heart,” but his acting already shone in my eyes by the time he played a poor, illiterate farmer who raped his wife (Kathy Chow) in Plain Love (情濃大地) and played a plotting opportunist in Ambition (孽吻). Gallen was probably early 30s by then.
Lawrence Ng played many evil roles in the 80s. His early most famous role was probably Feud of the Brothers (流氓大亨) opposite Alex Man. Lawrence played a memorable lecherous emperor in “Grand Canal” etc. He plays such a natural villian (probably still unmatched today) before he became good doctor “Healing Hands.”
The 90s is more recent in our memory and most people agree that by their late 20s, actresses such as Kenix, Flora, Ada, and Jessica had already proven their acting chops. Even Bowie was quite remarkable by the time he was early 30s in “Untraceable Evidence.” Catherine Tsang was credited with spotting a talented pool of artists in the 90s.
You can argue that scripts have become worse in the 2000s. However, TVB’s former lead scriptwriter, Cheung Wah Biu, has been with TVB since the 80s and didn’t leave until 2010, so there was still talent. Are the latest crop of actresses and actors promoted more for their looks than their talent? Which is the chief reason why some fans dislike Viriginia Lok.
I only view Linda and Tavia as top fadans…
@exodus
No Linda and Tavia are yet to reach top fadan. That was the spot Charmaine left empty and now Linda, Tavia, Myolie, Fala, Kate are said to race for the spot.
and then end up Niki will win, LMAO~.
@fox
Niki because Li Tim Sheng is making a breakthrough role for her? If she agrees to sign with TVB maybe she can be one of the contenders and become 6 people running for the Charmaine spot.
@ Jayne: I think Gallen is only good in evil roles and comedy. He kinda failed (to me) in goody 2 shoes roles, like in Golden Faith.
I don’t know the Eng name of the one I’m watching. I’ll notice next time and tell you. It’s airing.
I can name ones I think bad: Felix in his old roles (I think he is better in Gun Metal Grey) and Eddie Kwan. Other than a handsome face, Eddie Kwan is a bad actor. His expression is very wooden. There are some more but I can’t rmb name.
My all time favourite is Tony Leung (Chiu Wai, not Ka Fai). Compare to him, most of TVB old actors lacks something to convince me that they are great actors.
Uhm, when I was small, I only watched ancient series so I don’t know about the modern ones.
@Fox, you don’t like Gallen’s acting or character in “Golden Faith?” His character had a lot of family burden, but his emotional scenes are really good here. You can truly see his heartbreak especially in his break-up scenes with Jessica.
@ Vivien: Take it easy, I’m kidding on Niki.
@fox
Actually anything is possible if Niki signed a management contract with TVB. She can get support from both management and become the darling of Li Tim Sheng. TVB now desperate to get a high level fadan. At least someone will be promoted this year from that list of 5.
Gallen was fantastic in Golden Faith, not the lovey dovey part but the ones on family burden, torn between his love for 2 brothers. I thought he played it so well. And Golden Faith has my vote as the most acting powerhouse series, Deric Wan, Gallen Lo was a dynamic duo and Raymond Lam at that time held his own. Fantastic performances but the actresses… blah.
Acting. His face can’t give me the feeling that he is a good person.
In some particular scenes he is quite good, especially in the emotional scenes. But overall acting, he failed to convince me the way the character should be.
But I like Gallen in Old time buddies.
Same to Deric Wan.
But Lawrence Ng is different. I’m convinced by Healing hands even I watched the series where he acted baddie very well.
Jayne, I disagree on Lawrence Ng (never thought he was good just damn lucky to have signature roles) and Jessica (I assume Hsuan right? I feel she has never proven herself as an actress and she acts the same in all her series, again damn lucky to got roles in memorable series, it is almost always her co-stars were so good, the series succeed because of that, she is to me replaceable in all her series)
Alex Man the man with the spits but yes, he was charismatic and a great actor. A bit dramatic and yet compared to these days, he seems dramatic for all the right reasons.
Ada, overrated for the most part. Kenix, depends but mostly predictable. Flora, depends on what role.
Funn, I like Lawrence Ng hehe and do miss his later subtley as an older actor. Jessica Hsuan plays headstrong actresses best. I rewatched some parts of “Golden Faith” 2 years ago and her break-up scenes with Gallen Lo were very effective. Jessica may be playing her own principled self onscreen, be unconvincing in ancient dramas, and may seem slightly ill at ease in certain roles (Handful of Love, Lady Fan, Just Love) and seems more at ease with only some co-stars. She had good sparks with Bobby Au Yeung in “Dicey Business” but seemed a little awkward opposite Michael Miu. I wonder if her strong personal principles have anything to do with inability to immerse in certain roles, such as this script or co-star is hard to work with. However, in the right element, Jessica can shine and has flashes of Dodo Cheng in her.
I should start an Alex Man fan club! My family loved Alex Man from his old RTV wuxia days and in the early 1990s, he starred in many of Lau Ka Ho’s family sagas in TVB. Alex Man has a level of intensity and raw passion in him that few actors possess. He and Tsang Kong presented such a dynamic duo, shouting, breaking furniture, even cursing in old TVB dramas. I don’t know if Alex went to acting school or he just came up with his own brand of acting style himself.
However, it was known that Alex was a difficult actor to work with, since he is so passionate and insisted on changing his lines and adding a lot of his own ideas into performances. I suspect he was effective because he truly delved into the emotions of his characters, reflected deeply and was such a physical actor, in terms of gestures and expressions. His roles were often dynamic and experienced extreme tragedy. In a way, Alex’s acting can be termed “theatrical” and this dramatic style can be seen in theater actors more, since their intensity is necessary in performances before a live audience.
If I had to describe Alex as an animal, he would be a lion. He just dominates the screen and when he roars, he can illicit fear and command such presence! There are no Alex Mans in this generation of actors though.
@Funn
If Ada can get Best Actress by the age of only 25 that must’ve mean something about her acting. She’s also in a lot of movies. Jessica, Flora and Kenix are barely in any movie.
Gallen Lo is great. He’s the best actor to me in his 90’s generation. Nobody else can lead so many grand productions like Gallen.
TVB scriptwriter in the past are much better too. Greed of Men, Cold Blood Warm Heart, Golden Faith, ATE1 and 2, Looking Back and Anger all have great dramatic stories and are classics.
Nowadays Cheung Wah Biu can only make HOG, MR, Rosy Business and No Regrets. Cheung Wah Biu make a star out of Wayne but he make an OTT Moses. Now Moses acted the same in every comedy he’s in ever since he won in HOG. All his comedy roles become OTT Moses Chan.
@ Funn: Lawrence Ng has good acting, especially in evil roles.
But I kinda agree with you on Jessica. I quite like her but her acting is not outstanding.
BTW, the wost series of Gallen in my opinion is Wolf (A china series) where he looks haggard and spiritless.
Hehe, I think Golden Faith is kinda boring in the beginning :P. The last part is better but not reached to the climax.
Uhm, in this one, my most fave chac should be Paul Chun’s.
Anyone agree Paul Chun is the best among the old men in TVB now?
Fox, Paul Chun reportedly has a waist pain condition (read about it in news of Alan Tang’s death surfaced) so I don’t think he will play a lot of major roles anymore.
Would Adam Cheng be considered old enough to compete with Paul Chun? Looking forward to Adam’s performance in “War of the Heart.” Damien Lau is probably more eccentric actor, but he truly shines in playing upright, intelligent types.
My favorite “old man” actor would be Tsang Kong, a brilliant “theatrical” type actor. He was really dynamite in playing evil and complex characters!
Maybe they should bring back Alex Man (who starred in theater productions in HK last year) and cast him as a father and forbiddable antagonist. He would put Elliot Ngoc Wah to shame. 🙂
Gallen doesn’t appear that great now because when he comes back TVB give him bad scripts such as the dog series with an OTT Myolie Wu and Born Rich.
If he can get some great scripts he can be as great as his Golden Faith days again
@Fox Most actors don’t do well in goody roles and those roles are kinda boring to watch when the main character sacrifices everything for everybody, but Gallen’s character in Golden Faith is one great big exception for me. It shows that a good script and great acting can actually make the character likable and interesting to watch. I absolutely loved all his scenes with Jessica and normally, I don’t quite enjoy Jessica’s performances.
@Jayne,
Why don’t you like Ngoc Wah? I think he’s such a natural. He was great in The Brink of Law – very convincing as a rich, old, “hum sap” man.
Gallen Lo – my all-time favorite. He played so many evil characters that I love to hate. He was actually very good in Born Rich, even though the script was horrible.
@Moonriver,
It depends with whom you compare Elliott Ngok Wah with. He is okay, but I think there are better veternan character actors. He seems to be cast as rich man with weakness for women. Hmm…I’m still thinking who could have played his character in “Gem of Life” though since Adam Cheng and Damien Lau normally do not play such flawed characters. Lau Kong is very good in playing flawed roles, even in a lecherous way, but he’s considered too old and unglamorous for these roles. Lau Kong has been elevated to grandfather roles now. Heehe if Patrick Tse would act in TVB, maybe he might fit Ngok Wah’s role in” Gem of Life,” we’ll just have to see him in perpetual shades.
I still feel that Ngok Wah’s interpretation is still more one-dimensional and not as fully fleshed as other actors. His acting is acceptable, just not portraying the heavy weight roles he has been given fully. Although you can say his acting is still more watchable than younger actors playing villain roles.
I actually like Law Lok Lam a lot, he plays eccentric, complex characters well. But his no-nonsense personality and strong exterior makes him more suitable for cop roles or eccentric kungfu masters. He would not look like a rich man flirtatious with women. Law has a good dramatic streak and is mostly miscast in comedies.
I googled Alex Man’s latest news and he was filming a mainland drama, portraying Justice Bao and costarring with Vincent Zhao. Maybe there might be chance to see him in TVB again if only he were invited to film again, which hasn’t happened yet. Hehe I was just comparing Alex to Ngok because I would like to see Alex cast in a prominent fatherly role. He would play a “Godfather” role real well…
Overrated doesn’t mean I am saying she’s bad, I am just saying she is not that good. If awards is any indication, is Tony Leung (Chiu Wai) the greatest actor ever from HK?
Bruce Lee? Isn’t him the greatest actor ever from HK?
In my opinion, Tony Leung (Chiu Wai) is the one who have the best acting among all I have ever seen.
Tony Leung IS one of HK’s greatest actor.
I don’t think Ada overrated. She deserves her spot because she’s the only dongkafadan who made it to movies in her generation and she holds the record of youngest TVB award winner
@Fox & Vivien I second that! Tony Leung is indeed a legend! The way he expresses his emotions in his eyes is priceless and no other actor can do it as well as he can! 😀
I think Bruce Lee was more than just a typical actor. He was also a martial artist, director and many other things.
I guess talent is also in the eye of the beholder. I personally think think Felix and Tony are great actors, even to this day… I really miss a lot of older artists from the 70s and 80s. I think acting is also a talent that some have to be born with just like with singing. Sure you get better with experience, but if you didn’t really have the natural talent to start with, regardless of how many years you act, your acting can never be as good as someone that already has it… That’s just my opinion though…
Tony Leung is one the best actors ever.. I really miss seeing him TVB series. I know that he will never be in one again so his TVB series are like treasured classics now.
I am sad to hear that Paul has a health problem and won’t be acting as much anymore. I think he is a great veteran actor. I hope that he will still act when his health allows him to.
I feel that awards don’t always show if you are a good actor or not in all cases. But in some cases it does…
@HeTieShou Today, awards doesn’t show much about the artist’s talent, but more about the celebrities’ popularity. Many award winners are undeserving. But like everyone else, I do believe awards give artists a goal to reach as they all want their work to be appreciated and liked by the audience. Plus, although awards are only a game sometimes, it still gives us something to look forward to and people to root for.
Yes today’s award are more about popularity than talent. To get an award you need to have a popular series and popular role.
For example last year Moses Chan was criticised for his performance in Can’t Buy Me Love but TVB still touted him as the front runner contender for the award all because the series get high ratings.
Feel bad to hear that.
Uhmm, I dun think Damien and Adam is old enough to put at the same team with Paul Chun, haha. But I prefer Damien to Adam.
But TRB, Damien tried too hard.
I understand why. He’s kinda very old school acting, very ermm…one way street? How to put it.. very one way. Not to my taste, but depends.
never viewed Charmaine as 1st lady in my life. Don’t like her acting at all and not very pretty either
If we compare Charmaine to the fadans of 80’s and 90’s she lose easily without fighting. I never liked Charmaine’s acting or looks either but TVB promoted her until she becomes the top fadan of TVB.
It can also be argued that no other ladies in TVB match Charmaine in terms of pupularity and money making ability so she automatically the top fadan. It never really means the best acting or the prettiest.
Depends on view.
Totally agree!I think Charmaine’s acting is very typical and nothing special. Her looks aren’t that great either. I think she has the right timing and luck…
Charmaine has luck. There are other actresses with better acting and face and also hardworking but Charmaine has the right timing and luck just when TVB need a fadan to be promoted. Myolie and Tavia are still new at that time. Charmaine’s best series was Country Spirit and that’s during the time where TVB still have many good and creative writers and directors.
Luck maybe, right time maybe and I am one of those who bashes Charmaine from day 1 but admittedly she has charisma, tons of it more than Tavia. People just want to watch her, irregardless of whether she can act or not. I think I rather watch Charmaine than Tavia sometimes, because I just find Tavia boring. But Charmaine worked very hard to give her credit, and in the only series that I really can’t say anything bad about her, An Herbalist Affair, she was simply mesmerizing. So a good character helps. But I also hated her in that Moonlight series, in fact that is my most hated female character ever. It really depends. I know Tavia has a lot of fans, I won’t count myself one of them but I am an admirer however whenever in a trailer I see her, my mind immediately went .. nothing. She does nothing for me, except when I do properly watch a series which so happens to have her in it, I wouldn’t mind.
I used to get excited seeing Myolie but when I see Myolie now in a comedy, I will switch off the TV. If in a drama, it depends on the quality as a whole. Truth is Myolie stopped improving many many years ago.
I hated Country Spirit by the way.
To say all boils down to right timing and luck is a bit simplistic. TVB is always trying to churn out fa-dans, now with Charmaine gone, they will make new ones. Charmaine may have a lot of haters, but she also have a lot of admirers. She has charisma, she has screen presence, viewers happen to like her (those that don’t hate her of course). She can carry a series, she in fact carried a few series, she brings in the ratings, these are rare qualities. You may cry and moan why someone as talented as Tavia doesn’t seem to bring in such numbers or given such chances, the obvious and plain truth is simply something fans wouldn’t want to admit; some actresses are just meant to be headliners, some in the background. Tavia works best in ensemble cast, the more the merrier, Charmaine can still work a series if she and someone else. That is the plain truth.
Anyway Tavia fans should have no valid complain now; she is heavily promoted and seems on her way to being a fa-dan even if she simply can’t carry a series. Sorry to Tavia fans, but I don’t find her exciting. And since she is in every single series these days, that overdose of Tavia can only hurt her.
@Funn
You are quick to forget that Charmaine is called ‘rating poison’ by HK audience during 2005-2007. Many of her series don’t have high ratings such as Yummy-yummy, Always Ready and LWOLAP.
Funn, prepare to be bashed :P. I’m being.
@ Vivien: You forgot DOL :P. Even its rating is not too bad (still in top 10 top rating), Charmaine is considered as rating poison this time.
However, it’s the first series I said “wow” to her acting. Wonderful scene when she looked at Chun Pong and Bing Yi in the wedding shop.
But that was in 2007. Now she rebounded. Not everyone can maintain high ratings all the time.
I don’t get why ‘Always Ready”s low rating is Charmaine’s fault. I didn’t watch the series, but, I heard that Charmaine’s character was in a coma in a big part of the series. So, how was she responsible for the low ratings?
Didn’t Always Ready star Ekin? I mean isn’t it HIS fault?
Ooops! I hope Ekinfan is not reading this!
Reason is simple; Charmaine is easy to hate.
I agree with someone above that everything is possible with TVB. I remember when Charmaine first few years with TVB, many people complained about her acting, her look. Yes, she’s not even that pretty, her acting was wooden. But TVB care? No, they put her in every series, gave her many nice roles…… then people get used to her and started liking her. Now she’s the top fadans… I bet many people never expected that will happened to Charmaine when they first saw her ?
So to me, Christ still have his chance IF TVB give him a chance 🙂
Well it isn’t just with TVB. I see that with other countries and companies too. There are some actors and actresses that look good and act well. However, they never get promoted or act in any good roles or series, but then there are some that are just average looking and have average skills that get heavily promoted… I guess that is where timing and luck as well as connections in some cases may come in.
TVB is definitely lacking more in prominent male actors. I miss the good ol’ days with Gordan Lam, Bobby Au, Felix Wong, Sunny Chan, Lawrence Ng.
I LOVED Gordan Lam as a kid… hope he comes back to film more series. He was sooo good in Time before Time and Country Spirit.
Oh i think i know why you guys think earlier actors and dramas are better. It easier to be captivated by series in the 80s and 90s since they still fresh to the audience. The stories aren’t redundant and new materials were still being tested and produced. The audience somewhat lenient to the actors because every roles they played were original and it made it memorable to the viewers. Now, i really don’t think the writers can juice out any new storyline that haven’t been punched out over these 30 years of continuously non-ending stream of series. How much more can you make a series about family and love more riveting? I don’t think there aren’t any elements that the writers haven’t explored. Thew new actors playing over used roles so ofcourse the viewers going very critique of them compared to earlier actors in the 80s and 90s.
@ Darren,
I don’t agree that TVB has run out of storyline, I think they are just lazy and take advantage of HK’s lack of tv channel chocies. Look at American TV/sitcoms and the diversity of it throughout the years… when I was a kid, I loved full-house, family matters, who’s the boss, as a teen, i loved friends, will and grace, seinfeld, and now as a young adult, I’m a huge fan of modern family, the middle, etc. Look at the cop/investigative series that the U.S. has churned out… CSI, law & order, bones… and the diversity of story lines from episode.
I love the current actors as much as I did the actors I liked as child. I def. think HK tv quality is going downhill, from the actors to the script to the production quality of the series.
@Judy,
How come you think that TVB has not run out of storylines?? I personally think that they have… After making series for sooo many years, I don’t doubt that they would. Which is why they would keep on remaking JY novels and other legends. It is not just TVB, but Mainland CHina and other countries as well. Even with AMerican shows and series, I got tired of watching them because the storylines get so redundant… It is the same case with China and TVB series too. I don’t believe that is due to laziness because if they do get lazy, they will lag behind even more due to the high competition that they have from not just China series, but also Korea, Japanese, Taiwanese and series from other countries as well.. I feel that TVB is still lucky and fortunate to have some viewers that refuse to watch anything that is not TVB. One of my friends is like that. I try to introduce series from other countries to her but she refuses to watch anything that is not TVB…
Judy, American tv shows are so boring and the same junks they spit out every season. The worst part of American tv is they drag on season after season milking it dry. There is NO new material. Same medical drama, same crime investigation, same storyline. They just replace with different casts and tweak a bit here and there but basically the same premises.ER, grey’s anatomy, house, gideon crossing, general hospital, city of angels. I can give you a list of it. Same with other genre!
No one runs out of a good story. TVB runs out of talented scriptwriter, not a good story. And they’ve become lazy and at the same time a coward so they stick to winning formulas and since viewers themselves do not switch off the TV and allow series such as BTROC or CMBL to succeed ratings wise, viewers are to be blamed as well. However there are good ones, like Rosy Business, and the likes. Once TVB is willing to invest in a good story, they’re still capable of making memorable classics.
You know who has run out of good story? Everywhere also. Look at K-drama, taiwanese drama, the likes.
And Judy, CSI is crap.
Audience like those story of BTROC and CBML and give high ratings so thats why TVB scriptwriters are lazy. Rosy Business has the combination of TVB’s only remaining good producer and scriptwriter. If they left we only left with lazy producers and scriptwriters.
@Vivien,
Rosy Business really has the best script writer and producer?? I personally did not enjoy that series so I thought that all of the good ones have left already.
Well, I still dun think Cheung Wan Biu’s script is always that wonderful. HOG is an example.
@ Funn
And they’ve become lazy and at the same time a coward so they stick to winning formulas
This is TVB’s execs fault. TVB’s scriptwriters are actually capable of coming up with new ideas. But, TVB likes to be on the safe side. So, these new ideas usually didn’t pass approval.
@ Fox
Well, I still dun think Cheung Wan Biu’s script is always that wonderful. HOG is an example.
Agree with you. Cheung Wah Biu’s script are not always wonderful. He has some misses too. ‘Moonlight Resonance’ was also written by him and, to be honest, that series is crap. I know it earn 50 points rating for it’s finale, but, still crap to me.
@ Funn
You know now why AFOS has MR moments? Both series’s editor is Cheung Wah Biu. His position is ‘pin sam’. I check dictionary and it say ‘copy editor’. I take that as he’s the head of the writing team.
Thanks Kidd for breaking the mystery for me. I kept saying or implying in my episodic thoughts that perhaps AFOS shares the same writer as MR, now I know where. I so hate those MR moments.
Its not always about an 100% original storyline. Its about mixing and matching elements, how much effort is put into directing/editing/screenplays etc. The current writers as some said are from a generation ago and have chosen to stick to tried formulas that’s all. If TVB wanted to try new stuff, there’s so much potential now.
Fly With Me with Ada Choi was a ‘new’ type of subject for TVB. But the story direction took a bad turn. While TVB can try new things, and sometimes does, it doesn’t know how to handle it cause it has a production crew using methods one TV era ago.
I mean, TVB can’t even do some of their old stuff well anymore. When is the last time a good cop series aired? I mean take a recent example Gun Metal Grey which was suppose to be a serious cop series. But wasn’t the character interaction and chemistry a bit too dry? Wasn’t the story not too compelling despite them supposedly being lifted from real life crime? Compare that to Felix Wong’s Criminal Investigator II (1996), I’d watch that 7times again before I watch GMG again.
@SDS I always felt that TVB producer Jonathan Chik was more willing to venture into new and more daring themes with his dramas than most other producers. Although the quality of his productions aren’t always top-notch, the storyline isn’t always interesting and memorable, and the cast tends to be the same people (e.g., Moses, Charmaine, Bowie, Kenny, etc.), I still applaud him for at least trying. War and Beauty was a masterpiece and success. I’m also looking forward to Psychological Warfare and When Heaven Burns, which features cannibalism as its backdrop. It’s not the typical family and lame comedies that TVB are up to these days. However, in some of his other productions like The Dance of Passion and Fly With Me, I didn’t like. They just gave me a bad feeling and the storyline didn’t appear logical for me in FWM. Hopefully, he would cast different people in his future productions.
@Chriselle
I definitely agree Fly With Me had a badly developed story. I think most would.
I suppose another recent series on a totally oddball topic (for TVB standards) is 7Days of Separation. But it was also not well developed in my opinion.
I think TVB has better luck with ancient series since audiences cannot relate to them as much thus its harder to critique. Whereas most TVB shows about professionals easily have their flaws show through.
Although he is not so handsome as Raymond Lam, but his face quite good looking. Saw him in Heart of Fencing 1,Always Ready(that’s why he close to Ekin Cheng),Heart of Greed and Moonlight Resonance.
My point of view of him base on these series;
HOF1-Love to watch him in this series because of his nice acting
AR-His acting quite ok in this series(like when he has interest in Linda Chung but just keep by himself and end up with Shirley Yeung, while Linda end up with Ekin)
HOG-He play good innocent guy,to me it not up to par but ok on the first try(I think)
MR-He play quite bad naughty boy and couple with Kate Sui,I dont’t really like his acting in this series
He’s in a lot of other series too and if I’m not mistaken he’s also either in one of the DIE series or one of Forensic Heroes but he’s forgettable.
What’s the use of having good looks and height if his appearance is forgettable
I guess I think he looks the best in the color something series.
Oh, I think I’ve seen this guy before….in Heart of Greed, Moonlight Resonance and Safe Guards where he wore a ridiculous suit. His face is annoying to me. Makes me want to slap him. I don’t think he will rise to the top.
Well, TVB’s promoting the newbies a lot recently. I don’t mind that since I’m quite a fan of people like Edwin Siu, Him Law, Macy Chan, and Mandy Wong,
It’s the script that bothers me…they need to be given better roles and have a chance to develop themselves D:
Chris had those chances but he just wasn’t able to completely get into the character, which is why his acting can turn out pretty stoic.
There are a lot of good TVB actors and actresses…they’re just not given a chance.
And now, when will TVB give Oscar Leung a bigger role T.T
Oscar Leung is good. He caught my eye in Love Bond. I wouldn’t say he is dashing but he has a face that has potential for a mean yet innately kind character. Sorta like Wayne Lai.
Edwin isn’t new actor. He started up as a singer.
However, I’m a admirer of Macy and Mandy.
Oscar Leung and Oscar Chan, both I like. Oscar signed manager contract with TVB last year, hope he’ll be promoted as he is one of best actors in TVB now
Mandy Wong is good and even better than some of the current fadans. TVB should promote her more. I think she can handle second lead by now. She’s much better than Bernice in Home Troopers
@ moonriver
Oscar Leung already caught my attention in the movie ‘The Young Ones’ way back in 2000. He really can act. I think his look set him back. He looks like a kid despite being in his 20s and now 30s. That will limit his roles. Plus, he’s not very handsome. That also will limit his chance of being lead. You might say talent is important, but, this is still the entertainment industry and viewers like look at beautiful things.
I kinda makes me sad when I see him act as a small antagonist against Sammul in ‘Guts of Man’. In ‘The Young Ones’, he actually lead over Sammul.
I guess Oscar will have to wait until he is old enough to break the “young look” he is having.
I like Wei Wei. His acting is quite good. However I agree with you Kidd and Fox, he has to be patient and wait until his “young looks” fade off because as of now he looks like a teenage school boy.
Another reason is he’s shorter than most of the current female stars. He looks shorter than Fala Chen in Grace Under Fire, so that means it will be a trouble for him to be paired with taller uprising actresses such as Linda Chung, Oceane Zhu, Koni Lui and Christine Kuo.
I heard he can be a good companion offscreen too.
I’m not sure if having a cute and youthful face is the reason why Oscar isn’t getting any significant roles. Tony Leung Chiu Wai had a baby face and he was only 5’8 as well, but he became TVB’s leading actor after 2 years of starring in TVB dramas. Oscar is the same height. Oscar’s luck is probably just lacking and producers might not have noticed his talents. Also, it can also be that there isn’t a suitable script for him yet. Tony’s popularity back then grew significantly after Duke of Mount Deer and his performance was absolutely amazing. Although I haven’t read the novel and I’m not sure if Tony’s looks fit the character in the novel, but the actor certainly had the charm and cuteness to make such a lazy and mischievous character likable.
Today, many leading roles are lackluster and boring. Even if Oscar had the talents and acting and was lucky enough to be casted in a leading role, he probably wouldn’t shine as the audience doesn’t know who he is. Also, since TVB isn’t much of a risk taker these days and have formulaic scripts, they could only use already well-known stars to film a series, hoping to build off of that celebrities’ popularity to garner high ratings. And truth is, after the early-mid 2000 batch of artists (e.g., Tavia, Myolie, Linda, Fala, Raymond, Ron, Bosco, etc.), there isn’t a new batch in their early 20’s that they’re promoting. Sire may be one of them, but she’s still not giving lead or first supporting roles yet.
@ Chriselle
Tony Leung is handsome. That’s a plus point there.
He’s a great actor no doubt, and no one can beat his smoldering soul eyes, but, his good looks helps too.
Chriselle, in Tony’s time, most of the actresses are shorter than him.
Chriselle, Tony Leung’s and Oscar Leung’s “baby-face” types of face are different.
Oscar Leung’s face is a cute boy’s face. While the young Tony Leung possessed a boyish handsome looks.
Fox is right, the actresses back then are shorter.
I guess everyone sees “cute” differently. I saw Tony as cute when he was in his 20’s and charming when he’s in his 40s. Not sure about handsome. Personally, I would use that word to describe someone with more noble and mature looks like Andy Lau.
Wai Wai’s face is more of Bosco’s type than Tony.
Tony: Boyish but soft, eyecandy
Wai Wai: Cute and naughty.
Their types are different.
Fred Cheng might be in the same type of face with Tony than Wai Wai.
i guess oscar will give to ray, ray always is best of the best in every role.
no other person can replace ray talent,to all fans, ray still has the best chok look.