©2004
Fann Wong Singapore
| 2004 |
One had heart broken, the other broke hearts In the upcoming mini-series, House of Harmony, Singapore actress Fann Wong and Hawaii-born actress Maggie Q play a mother and daughter who find a parallel in their love lives. WENDY TEO looks at their love lives off-screen IT WOULDN'T be an exaggeration to say that Fann Wong, 33, is one of the most desirable women in Singapore. Despite her eligibility, the MediaCorp Ah Jie claims she has had only one relationship in her life. And it was that infamous one that ended with her heart in pieces. Flashback to 1999, when Fann made headlines with her bitter break-up from her then-boyfriend, businessman Anthony Chan, after 11 years together. She had reportedly slapped him after spotting him with Ericia Lee, who later denied that she was the third party. Back to today. Fann doesn't want to elaborate on the incident, apart from saying that it was the one heartbreak in her life. And, although she was still smiling when she spoke about the matter, the smile wasn't her usual mega-wattage one. PRACTICAL VIEW OF LOVE It could be because of that experience that Fann now has a rather practical view of love. In House Of Harmony, Fann's character, Mei Ling, is a devoted woman who never stops pining for her lost love. That, Fann feels, is not relevant in this day and age. 'This sort of situation will probably never happen in modern times. 'It's a different generation, and I don't think it's necessary for women to put themselves through such tribulations any more. 'Quick passion will die off after a while. 'I prefer slow and steady.' Yet, Fann says she has not lost confidence in being able to find love again. Flashing a smile, she said: 'Getting hurt in the path of love is inevitable. 'You cannot stop it from happening. 'But love is the greatest thing on earth. How can you give it up just because of one bad experience?' 
While Fann replied with a quick 'Yes!' when asked if she will admit to the public if she's dating someone, she wasn't as forthcoming when we about her current dating status. The moment we brought up her long-rumoured boyfriend Christopher Lee's name, a look of anxiety flickered across her face and she swiftly evaded the question with this reply. 'I'm a shy person, I don't like my private life to be in the limelight so much. 'I prefer my work to get the recognition instead, because I work so hard.' HEART-BREAKER UNLIKE Fann Wong, Maggie Q is relatively luckier in love. While Fann was left heart-broken in her one love affair, Maggie was the heart-breaker. In the two 'serious' relationships that the 25-year-old has had, she was the one to call it quits. 'I've never had anyone hurt me before. 'If anything, it was more of something based on my own doing, me hurting myself with my wrong decisions,' she said. In the mini-series, Maggie plays the character, Harmony, who struggles against allowing her heart to rule her mind, so as to avoid her mother's fate. But, in real life, Maggie believes in following her heart. She said: 'I've made decisions based on instinct, which didn't work out. I've also made decisions based on logic, and they didn't work out either. So I'd rather follow my feelings.' Maggie has previously admitted to having romanced Hong Kong actor Daniel NPWu, as well as Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata. NOT A MAN-EATER But don't mistake her for a vicious man-eater who leaves a trail of broken hearts behind. She claimed that, both times, she had to 'walk away because too many things were going on'. By that, she was referring to the media attention that surrounded her love affairs. Maggie was particularly worked up when talking about her failed relationship with Daniel. She said: 'Both of us were dating even before either of us became famous. 'But when we became more known for our work, it suddenly became as though we got together only afterwards. 'It was so annoying!' She couldn't take the scrutiny, and decided to walk out. The vivacious beauty said: 'Your relationships don't become your relationships any more. 'It becomes millions of people's business. 'Every time, the media would ask me why I loved that person, and I got sick of defending my reasons. 'Why can't I just love a person? Why does it have to be for a reason? 'I'm not in a relationship to sell papers, or magazines!' Which is why Maggie now locks her private life firmly out of sight. 'I'll never admit it. And I'll never talk about it. 'I won't even tell whether I'm dating someone or not.' PLOT BASED ON US NOVEL THE House Of Harmony is a collaboration between German production company FFP Media, local production house Oak3 Films and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA). Based on US writer Barbara Wood's novel, Perfect Harmony, the story tells the tale of two generations of love lost and found. This project is part of the MDA's Media 21 blueprint to develop the Singapore media industry. Filming of the $7 million two-part period drama series will be done on location here from Jul 25 until the end of September. Fann Wong stars as Mei Ling, a Chinese girl who falls for an American and, single-handedly raises their love child against the societal prejudices of the 1920s setting. FANN WILL BE MADE TO 'AGE' The actress will have to 'age' for the role, as the show will see her character through her 20s to her 40s. It will be her second onscreen 'ageing', after 1995's drama, Chronicle Of Life. Fann will also be the only person in the cast who has lines in both English and Mandarin, while the rest of them stick to only one language - either English, Mandarin or German. Fann said: 'I only knew of this not too long ago. 'I thought I had to do everything in English. 'And, there I was, translating all my scripts into Mandarin to understand it better... argh!' According to producer Lim Suat Yen, Fann was chosen because of her acting abilities, as well as good work attitude. She said: 'Fann definitely has her market value both locally and in Asia. 'Also, she's one of the more gorgeous actresses around.' Hong Kong actress Maggie Q, thanks to her Eurasian looks, was cast as Fann's on-screen daughter, Harmony, while German actors Daniel Morgenroth and Philippe Brenninkmeyer play Maggie and Fann's respective love interests. House Of Harmony is planned for release in Singapore and Germany, as well as the international market. It will be dubbed in German for the German market, English for its international release and both English and Mandarin for the local market. Source: The New Paper |
