Wong Hei Treated Coldly On His Last Day At TVB
Wong Hei (王喜) worked at TVB for 16 years and suffered from cold treatment in recent years. Eventually, he decided to leave the company due to dissatisfaction. On September 29th, Wong Hei’s TVB contract officially expired and he left with mixed feelings.
Although Wong Hei was good friends with TVB executive, Stephen Chan (陳志雲), Wong Hei was not promoted at the compnay. In fact, the Artist Management department suggested that Wong Hei pay money to terminate his contract early. The turn of events made Wong Hei disheartened. Before leaving, Wong Hei returned to his locker at TVB City to obtain a few items and take pictures. He had mixed feelings and did not expect to be faced with further unsympathetic treatment by the staff, who had terminated his employee ID card access rights to the premises in advance.
Wong Hei worked at TVB for many years, delivering numerous classic performances in highly rated series, including the three installments of Burning Flame <烈火雄心>. However, his workload plummeted in recent years. Rumors suggested that he did not get along with TVB executive, Virginia Lok (樂易玲). Accused of not delivering enough [vendor] show appearances, Wong Hei was advised by the Artist Management department to terminate his contract early by paying a fee. This cold treatment gave Wong Hei a great sense of helplessness and made him highly uncomfortable.
Difficult to Say Goodbye to Producer Amy Wong
Last night, Wong Hei packed his possessions from his personal locker, #181, and to say goodbye to the people he cherished. On his blog, Wong Hei posted photos and expressed the mixed feelings he felt on his last day at TVB.
With his 16-year career at TVB, Wong Hei had the most difficulty in bidding farewell to Producer Amy Wong (王心慰). Last night, Wong Hei stopped by Amy’s office to reminsce over past memories, which made him feel emotional and started crying. “This is the mother of ‘Yau Chi Tak,’ ‘Lok Tin Yau,’ ‘Kei Tak Tin,’ and ‘Chung Yau Sing.’ Over the last 16 years, Amy Wong was the producer who trusted me the most. She allowed me to inject blood, tears, and soul into the characters which she created. For each role, I asked her: ‘Did I portray the role as you imagined it to be?’ Each time, she will look at me steadily before saying: “Sometimes you did and sometimes you did not. You can do better, but let’s drop the matter.’
“Ha ha, this evening, I deliberately entered Amy’s office after work hours to secretly take pictures for memories’ sake. My intention was that I did not want to cry in front of Amy. Unfortunately, my tears are currently falling while I am typing these words right now.”
Employee Access Canceled Prior to 12 Midnight
As TVB’s former “biological son,” Wong Hei recollected upon some old photos [that were posted in TVB’s offices], “This photo was taken in 2006, after I signed a management contract to become a ‘biological son.’ The Artist Management department designed my image. At the time, I had quit smoking and thus my face was plump ha ha, but unfortunately it did not produce a ‘cute’ effect which made everyone love me. Ha ha, all along, I felt that this wall, which is filled with artist head shots, reaked of an ash smell. Do you share the same feeling?”
Before leaving TVB City, Wong Hei wanted to take a photo with the company’s mascot, TV Buddy, but he discovered his employee ID card was denied access. “When I wanted to go past the main gates and outside the door to take pictures with TV Buddy, my employee ID card was denied access. I only had access to the parking area, while entry to other locations were canceled. One of the security guards said surprisingly, ‘Although it was not yet 12 midnight, the access has been canceled already? Isn’t that too cold?’ I asked, “Can you open the gate and let me take a picture before leaving? I will leave from the parking lot afterwards.’ He said, ‘Sure.'”
Future Path to Be Announced
Wong Hei’s final words to TVB were: “Thanks to TVB for giving me challenging and life-risking opportunities over the last 16 years. Hopefully, from now onwards, everyone’s futures will only grow better and better. Bye bye lah!”
Although TVB was not the place for him, Wong Hei will find the proper place for him. Recently, Wong Hei was contacted by Now TV executive, Ho Lai Chuen (何麗全) to discuss program hosting opportunities. Asked about his future direction, Wong Hei indicated that he was currently negotiating with other producers and will reveal his career plans later.
Clarified That He Did Not Tamper With Scripts
Appearing on an interview program with mainland’s Phoenix TV, Wong Hei admitted that he was a little “naive” and was willing to bear the work environment at TVB for 16 years because he wanted to repay the company. “Prior to entering TVB, I was unemployed for 9 months. Precisely at this time, TVB called me.” For many years, Wong Hei was accused of tampering with television scripts and plagued by negative rumors. Through different platforms, he hoped that audiences realized he was not this type of person.
Recently, Wong Hei also discovered that many people treated him very well, such as offering him work and worrying about his future without a job. Upon saying this, Wong Hei’s voice choked and he started wiping away tears.
Jayne: As always, I am moved by Wong Hei’s heartfelt words. He may come across as a bit headstrong, but I sense that he possesses a fierce sense of justice and may even be over idealistic. He may even have high expectations and inability to compromise his principles in certain situations.
Similiar to Steven Ma, Wong Hei is a passionate individual who put in a lot of efforts to make his onscreen performances come alive and memorable years after their broadcast. Not only did TVB not recognize his actions, Virginia Lok publicly declared him to be “difficult” and his efforts were largely underappreciated.
His last evening at TVB City was bittersweet and I can imagine how sad he was while reminscing the fonder memories over the last 16 years. After graduating from school, work takes up so much of our life and memories may even be categorized by the different jobs we’ve held over the years. When a person leaves a school or job, a place where you have spent a significant number of years and developed friendships, it is indeed difficult to move on, especially when the future may not be clear. Leaving an old job is leaving a safety net we have become accustomed to. But life is about moving on and new experiences and meeting new people, otherwise it wouldn’t be too interesting.
Wong Hei is about to enter a different stage of his life. I hope his talent is recognized and utilized well by his future employer. Wish him the best in his career and personal happiness as well! He has already climbed Mount Everest, but there are still other mountains to be explored!
jayne ur comment was well written and i agreed with u 100% about him and steven…and i just wanted to let u know tat u are doing a great job on this site…and thank u for all the translations including the translators cuz not all of us could read chinese…hehe…
same here. I can read chinese but i will come to read here first 😀
It is such a waste that Wong hei is leaving tvb.. His portrayal of different characters has indeed leave a deep marking in my heart.. Really like him a lot.. Esp him in the drama A Matter of Customs with Jessica hsuan
I think he is better off being away from TVB if they are treating him like this…
thank you all for the translation
Yes, I liked reading your comments Jayne.
Hm, it’s sad… isn’t it? The feeling of being discarded like rubbish by a company. 16 years is a long time. Although it’s only work, because we spend so much time on work, and it’s the means of our livelihood, people are attached to their workplace and colleagues.
Why he now denied tampering with the script when I clearly remember that in another interview, he did admit to changing the script? He even said he already did so early in his career because he felt that dialogue was bad or did not match the personality of the character.
He’s gay wtv, he left to marry Stephen
How different he is from Steven Ma’s situation isn’t it? From what I gather, he is treated coldly but it seems he is not liked at all. I don’t understand, if he is passionate and with justice and all, wouldn’t he be received warmly at least by the staff? After all he is Stephen Chan’s man so to speak. It is so weird. Maybe he has offended a lot of people but he just doesn’t realise it. Being passionate with a heart of justice is very very fine line with being tactless. I like him as an actor but I suspect he must be very difficult to work with. His career isn’t over, there’s the new TV stations and such. But yes TVB did treat him coldly but what does he expect? Now I wonder what good did his loyalty to Stephen Chan bring him? Nothing, except ridicule perhaps, with people laughing at his back. What is Stephen Chan doing for him?
The tampering of script is wrong word to use. He simply improvise. Tampering sounds like the script is iron clad, above the actors and director, not to be touched, etc. Script is always subject to improvisation. Some actors have the clout to even change the script a little. of course not change the entire thing. Some don’t even have script. I place importance on script as a foundation but not the be all and end all.
This reminds me of another actor in Singapore, a name I shall not reveal. He was up and coming in Mediacorp, like TVB in Singapore when he left for another newly opened company, became a leading man and he is a very talented actor. Not long later that company merged with Mediacorp. So everyone’s fate will be decided by the envelopes to be handed over. Of course he didn’t have 16 years with MediaCorp but he has an audience, he was up and coming so I thought he will be retained. Guess what? COmpany probably hold grudges and he was dismissed. He was shocked, his career seemingly over in Singapore. Slowly people forgot about the incident, forgot about him. And suddenly he started again at the bottom and became a contract actor with MediaCorp, worked his way up again and he is still there, sometimes leading man, voted I think top 10 most popular or nominated for his performances.
It shows that if you’re willing to suck it up a bit, with a bit of talent, I really believe Wong Hei can come back to even TVB. He was wildly popular, became unpopular for his views. I feel he has placed too much emphasis on loyalty when the loyalty done more harm than good. Blind loyalty never pays. I don’t know his nature of friendship with Stephen Chan is how deep, or what is Stephen Chan doing for him, I always believe if you have talent, you will always rise up again. Wong Hei’s problem now is to stop the public postings of how he feels about TVB, stop whining, stop being difficult, stop being so demanding and suck it up and work hard for whatever TV station he will be with. He has an audience and once a door is opened, he should grab it, and one day he will be like Dicky Cheung. Of course Dicky Cheung was super famous when he left TVB for good, but I believe Wong Hei can do it.
D-a-m-n the word D*-cky cheung!!!!
Moderation again. Reposting…
This reminds me of another actor in Singapore, a name I shall not reveal. He was up and coming in Mediacorp, like TVB in Singapore when he left for another newly opened company, became a leading man and he is a very talented actor. Not long later that company merged with Mediacorp. So everyone’s fate will be decided by the envelopes to be handed over. Of course he didn’t have 16 years with MediaCorp but he has an audience, he was up and coming so I thought he will be retained. Guess what? COmpany probably hold grudges and he was dismissed. He was shocked, his career seemingly over in Singapore. Slowly people forgot about the incident, forgot about him. And suddenly he started again at the bottom and became a contract actor with MediaCorp, worked his way up again and he is still there, sometimes leading man, voted I think top 10 most popular or nominated for his performances.
It shows that if you’re willing to suck it up a bit, with a bit of talent, I really believe Wong Hei can come back to even TVB. He was wildly popular, became unpopular for his views. I feel he has placed too much emphasis on loyalty when the loyalty done more harm than good. Blind loyalty never pays. I don’t know his nature of friendship with Stephen Chan is how deep, or what is Stephen Chan doing for him, I always believe if you have talent, you will always rise up again. Wong Hei’s problem now is to stop the public postings of how he feels about TVB, stop whining, stop being difficult, stop being so demanding and suck it up and work hard for whatever TV station he will be with. He has an audience and once a door is opened, he should grab it, and one day he will be like D-i-c-k-y Cheung. Of course D-i-c-k-y Cheung was super famous when he left TVB for good, but I believe Wong Hei can do it.
i love dicky!!!!
Yea, Wong Hei’s situation does remind me of D-i-c-k-y’s. I hope that Wong Hei will be able to be as popular as D-i-c-k-y.
With his talent, he will be doing fine. However, due to his age, face, gay, he might not be unable to get that level of success.
*able
Well even many other artists that left TVB coldly have been able to come back. Even Amy Chan who was once blacklisted was able to come back so why can’t Wong Hei??
I agree with you HeTieShou, wholeheartedly that if Wong Hei has been very badly treated then whats the use in remaining. Best to end the misery now. However, you never know, he may come back like Amy Chan. I sincerely hope he does as he is one of my favourite TVB artists and hope that he does well in future whatever happens. He will be greatly missed.
K-Asian, Bowie is doing well. It is just his attitude is any that will get in the way.
I also wonder the same. What has Stephen done for him after all the loyalty stuff? When Steven Ma want to terminate his contract with TVB, Stephen and Mark Lee quickly greenlight his Mainland series and try to retain him. But, Wong Hei, zero move.
As for his TVB friends, I remember Wong Hei is quite good friends with Jessica Hsuan.
If I remember correctly, WongHei was once rumoured to be in “not a good term” relationship with Kevin Cheng in Burning Flame. I thought it was either WongHei or Kevin that is difficult to work with..but I guess it must be Wonghei now since no one bother about his last day in tvb and even treated him coldly by terminating his access card.
Besides Kevin don’t WH also has not getting along rumour with another actor during work? I think it’s Bowie.
WH’s opinionated and vocal personalities might irk some costars but WH is a very good actor. I like WH more than Kevin or Bowie
Or has it something to do with the fact he had to share his leading role with Kevin and ended up Kevin seemingly the lead?
I think WH would often change his own lines b/c he thought it would improve the scene. But I don’t think he considered the feelings of others. It’s insulting to the scriptwriter and producer b/c you’re telling them u can do a better job. It’s frustrating for your on screen partner b/c how can they take the cue from a co-star that keeps improvising.
When WH and bowie hosted that show about China beauties, I think he didn’t follow the script which irked bowie. Bowie is too veteran to be shown up.
If WH changed lines in BF3, I hope it was for his perceived improvement of the series and not to get back at Kevin for stealing airtime.
In this interview, Bowie mention the issue with WH during the ‘Homely Beauty’ show. Bowie is another one with very high EQ. All he has is gracious words toward others. Even WH, who he has problem working with, his words are gracious.
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/759456-oriental-daily-interview-with-bowie-lam-treating-people-with-sincerity-part-3/
He said he has to turn down the offer to continue with the program in the competition final because of collaboration problem but when he bumps into WH every time later, they are still friendly and often greeted each other.
I will expect Bowie to be very diplomatic. He gives me an impression he is a smart learned man, like Felix is a worldly well read man. Moreover how you think he can deflect questions about his sexuality for so long?
“A long time after that situation had taken place, a reporter asked Wong Hei and myself to take a picture together. At the time, I could already feel that everything was good between us again, as neither of us held grudges – plus it was only taking a picture together, not working together, so it wasn’t a problem. Even to this day, when Wong Hei and I bump into each other, we are still friendly and always greet each other.”
Ahhhh great Bowie! That is because Bowie knows Work is Work but Wong Hei can’t differentiate it. I am happy Wong Hei has principles, but what good does principle do for him? He should have principle and be smart about it.
Given TBB’s weak scripts Wong Hei might feel strong needs to change them and make things better, but yeah perhaps he didn’t realize that while improvising on his own accord – he might irk other team members.
Bowie is professional for turning down the offer since he know he can’t collaborate well with Wong Hei, and still push aside work issues in personal life.
agreed with funn. does he have a bad relationship with all/most of the other workers? i rarely see any interactions between him and other co-stars off filming…he might be difficult to work him. clarifications anyone?
He has a good relationship with Jessica Hsuan.
He also is quite close to Linda Chung. Linda viewed him as a mentor; I guess.
But Linda is a nice girl and practically gets along with everyone. Some here said Shirley didn’t have much friends in the entertainment circle and I think Linda was the only one who spoke nicely about her during her breakup with Gregory.
Lol, Jessica is known for not being the most easygoing artist? I know she gets along with Bobby, but in the past there were rumors with of her with Maggie Cheung.
@ Chriselle
Jessica seem to get a long better with the guys than the girls. Her artist good friends are Galen, Wong Hei, Louis Koo. At least, that’s what I know long time ago.
I’m curious about him and Kevin. Did they really not get along? Why?
From comments on Kevin that I’ve read, he seems to be someone who is very easy-going. On the quiet side, but, very nice and caring towards other people. But, there’s still rumour of him not getting along with Wong Hei.
Because of BF issue? Who doesn’t get along with who is my question? Kevin may be easy going but everyone has their disliked person.
Maybe Kevin and Wong Hei just have different personalities. I think they don’t literally fight but just don’t get along. If they get along WH might have already refuted the claim strongly instead of letting it on.
Agreed @Funn. Someone may get along with many people but there will always be a person he can’t get along with.
You can be the nicest person in the world, but then there will be some people that you just don’t like or don’t get along with. I think that is how it is with Kevin and Wong Hei. What was the BF issue?? Can someone refresh my memory??
“You can be the nicest person in the world, but then there will be some people that you just don’t like or don’t get along with. ”
I like this! 🙂
Like chinese saying says;
Even Zhugeliang has his enemies, and Caocao his friends.
omg, so touching when i read about the Amy wong conversation, and the TV buddy car park. such a pity for a staff to leave his mother company, but in fact should be a better move for him
Agreed so touching about his conversation wit Amy Wong!
I’m sure WH will succeed better out there!
I always like Wong Hei as an actor, and always will.
However, I somehow think Wong Hei should give up and let everything go.
I liked Wong Hei as an actor too. There was a time during my childhood that I went ga-ga over Wong Hei(and Aaron Kwok).
Funn… who is that Singapore actor? I can’t think of any.
Was it Shaun Chen…? I only know when Mediaworks dissolved. Erica… the buxomly actress who jumped ship did not get invited back to Mediacorp, so she slowly faded into the background.
Technically Malaysian. Yes, Shaun Chen. He was dismissed. Then later talks of short term contract was offered, and slowly he went back to MediaCorp. I thought that was too much considering he was talented and interesting to watch, for the little he did in MediaWorks.
I recently act in the love drama about farmers and fishermen. He acted as the villain. I tried out the first episode because of him. But, the series cannot retain my interest and for some reason I cannot stand the lead actress (heard she’s quite popular in S’pore). So, I didn’t continue. Maybe if he switch roles with Melvin (who played the good perfect guy yet again), I would have continued. But, can see Shuan’s acting is good in that 1 episode I watch.
i was so move and emotion when i read about wong hei stepping into amy wong’s office
I don’t think anyone wants to stay at TVB for the rest of their career unless they have no other choice. But I think Wong Hei is a highly established actor so why doesn’t he just go to CHina or work for other companies? I don’t think he needs to worry too much but then again, it is hard to know what the future holds for anyone.
Practically he can’t compete with the china actors or those who go to china. Look, he is small, tiny, short, not very handsome. In China the leading man is more than all that.
In China most leading man in series must be tall and have a handsome face. True that must be hard for WH to compete there but WH can still succeed in NowTV or the new rival city Telecom. He ‘s a very good actor so he may succeed.
True, but there are some exceptions and Wong Hei may be one of them…
I also want to add that not all of the leading actors in China are tall and handsome… I have seen many China series and there are a number of them that don’t look that great, so Wong Hei definately has a chance. Plus, it’s not like he hasn’t acted for non TVB series before. I still remember his great performance in Wind and Cloud. He did a great job acting with Vincent Zhao and Peter Ho.
Not all are good looking but most. Look at the recent top popular series Palace, Bu Bu Jing Xin, Chinese Paladin where the leading actors and actresses are all super eye candy.
In HunanTV which airs many mainland’s most famous current tv series, most of the dramas consist of tall and handsome leading males.
@lol,
I have seen all of those series and yea a lot of them are great looking. However, some to me aren’t that great either since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But there are still exceptions and it’s not like Wong Hei looks that bad anyways. I feel that you also need to be talented and Wong Hei definately has that.
whos that singaporean actor if you dont mind telling?????
Shaun Chen
The one acting in Yummy Yummy,Food for Life?
Yes and should have been given more role.
I think his acting is not bad and at the same time not good. I watched the current 9pm channel 8 show which has Shaun Chen and Ha Yu in it. Gawd! The script is …. ! Received so many complaints!!
Most of Singapore Mandarin Chinese series sucks nowadays. Recently watch Jesscia Husan series “Bountiful Blessings” and my god, its blah.
Yeah that was bad as well. On the fringe and pai mai is quite good though imo (this year)
I’m impressed that you guys are able to sit through Mediacorp dramas. The way the actors and actresses speak makes me cringe. They should just speak normally, act normal and the producers have to stop thinking they are making a civic education video.
tbh, mediacorp dramas really sux. those that are much better are actually those shows on channel u. i’m not talking about the tvb/korean dramas they air on channel u, but those that are truly singaporean dramas, like pai mai / perfect cut. thought channel 8 and u are still under mediacorp, but why is there such a huge disparity in quality of dramas?
i dunno but channel 8 dramas are mostly you know…propag…..?
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Bye bye “Ok Dak”. I guess we could say this: “挑花依舊人面全非”
Very sad to see him go.
I personally watch his series in Hong Kong, 2007 “Fathers and Sons” and 2002 “Burning Flame II”, great series (except the ending of Burning Flame II), great actor. I hope he has opportunities in the future career.
Very sad that TVB bloated management and Wong He, didnt work out so well in the past few years or more.
On funn Lim, you really don’t like wong hei very much do you? If all actors and actresses sucked it up without whining, there wouldn’t be any ethics for the actors work hours etc, and this is why alot of them are leaving tvb. There is no regard for the actors as people only money making machines. Hollywood has the screen actors guild, what does Hk have?
I think he’s one of the better talents in TVB and whereas i think that perhaps he did offend some people, shouldn’t talent come first? This is probably why there is a TVB exodus, the professionalism is just not there. I think he will do well in his career, so he has his opinions about what will make a better script, that makes him a conscientious actor and why can’t he improvise? He’s supposed to act the best he can and he should have a say.
“On funn Lim, you really don’t like wong hei very much do you? “
Why whenever Funn criticise someone, a fan will say that she don’t like that person very much? First it’s Linda’s fan, now, it’s Wong Hei’s fan.
No, Funn did not dislike Wong Hei. In fact she likes Wong Hei.
Funn’s comment is directed at the situation, how she think Wong Hei can do to gain back his status in TVB.
Fans. Your idol is not saint and not above criticism. Not everyone criticise your idol or disagree with your idol’s action because she hates your idol. Many a time, it’s just directed towards the action itself.
“shouldn’t talent come first? “
In the real world, it’s not always so. Let me ask you this. If you are a boss and you have a worker who is very capable but also very difficult to work with. He’s arrogant, hard to please, always not get along with co-workers, etc. You have some other workers who are also equally capable, but easier to work with. Who you prefer to let go?
Thanks Kidd.
Obviously Yinnie zoomed into one comment and not reading others. She has no idea I am a fan of Wong Hei doesn’t she? But is being a fan means he is above criticism? I’ve said worse things about his acting for a period of time. And my view remains the same. He should stop whining and rebuild his reputation. From what I read he isn’t popular amongst the staff and his co stars and I believe this has to do with his “ethics”. He is a talented guy, and talent should matter, but all the talent in the world, if you suck at the PR game, then look at Wong Hei. He is pushed out, discarded like some pariah.
Look at Steven who has a more well liked personality of his peers. He is begged to stay.
Agree with Funn’s comment.
Seen some of his interviews. His comments came across really bad. From it one can infer that he probably is pretty hard to work with. If one does not agree with him, he probably will react in an hostile way. That’s what I thought after watching.
Real pity, though he is short , no looks, he was given lots of chances in being a leading man- this shows that TVB did indeed recognised his talents. Should be more appreciative. Certain things just cant be said.
Very Sad, used to like him alot. Guess his low EQ did him in. Maybe he can be happier some where else.
There was this ancient period drama which Wong Hei acted many many years back. I enjoyed it immensely.
Any kind souls know the title of this drama serial? I would love to watch it again. The story was about Wong Hei acted as an cooking apprentice and he learnt his skill from a master chef.
I enjoyed that too. That series was the one which launched him. I remember him walking down the “siu sang” walk in TVB anniversary show.
Food of love. A quick check says 1996. Sowo. That long?
I meant wow and not sowo. Anyway Burning Flame cemented him. He was awesome earlier in his career. I miss that Wong Hei.
But, ‘Food for Love’ is not ancient series.
I can only think of one food series for Wong Hei. Can you think of any others?
I don’t want Wong Hei to go!!! I love his acting! It would be weird not seeing him at TVB! :'( I was watching his TVB series since I was 3 or 4.
I remember back when WH acted as main lead in Doomed to Oblivion with Gigi. My first series watching him as the lead!
i love wong hei and I LOVE his acting!! i think he can act very VERY well!!!! i wish him the very best !!! dun stop acting!
Why was Wong Hei hated by TVB whe he has worked with them for so many years? Can anyone tell me the reason. We hardly get Chinese Entertainment News in India.