Although my family said I had a 'pretty face',
I did not expect to become an actress. When I was young, I wanted to be
an air-hostess, a kindergarten
teacher or a nurse. Being a stewardess would
enable me to travel around the world. I love children, so being
a kindergarten teacher would give me a
chance to be with them. As a nurse, I could help
society.
How and when did you start your acting career?
It happened when I signed a contract with TVB one year after I took part in the Miss Hong Kong Beauty Pageant in 1991.
We understand that you're a Christian. How has your religion changed your life, outlook for the future and personal goals?
In the past, I pursued fame and a materialistic
life. But now I think living happily with my friends and family is more
important. I won't put too much
pressure on my career. I want to make more friends
and develop my life in more meaningful ways.
What type of characters would you like to play in your future projects? Are you game enough to play women who are nasty, scheming and bitchy?
I would like to play the role of a disabled person
who can help inspire people and make them believe in themselves. I don't
mind acting as a nasty and
scheming woman if the story has a positive message.
Who would you like to work with in your next project? (Name any actor, actress, producer and director.) Is there any special reason for this?
I would leave it to the movie company. Now I'm doing a movie with Lawrence Ng Kai-wah and Taiwanese singer Nicky Wu Chi-lun.
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
I believe in God and I have many good friends.
Many viewers were not happy with the ending of Healing Hands. If you were the script writer, how would you end the TV series and why?
A love story with an unhappy ending is brilliant
and touching. I can't think of a better one. I accept the ending because
everyone has to deal with
death.
You were runner-up in the 1991 Miss Hong Kong beauty contest. Do you
agree that such pageants degrade the status of women? Would you advise
your younger sisters (if you have any) to participate in beauty contests
as a way of getting their talents noticed?
I don't think beauty contests are discriminatory.
The organisers are just looking for a pretty face to represent Hong Kong.
If my sisters or friends
are interested, I'm willing to give them tips
on how to prepare for the contest.
How did you feel when you were selected as the best TVB actress last
year? Has the award helped you in your acting career or has it increased public
expectations and pressure?
When I heard the news, I felt very excited. I
thanked God when I received the honour on stage and it was a wonderful
experience. I felt a lot of
pressure at the beginning but now I consider
the award as an encouragement and will continue to work hard.
Who are your best friends in the showbiz world? Is the industry as insincere and artificial as people think it is?
People said it was quite difficult to make friends
in the entertainment business. I don't agree with them. I have many friends
and we share our
moments of joy and sorrow. Actresses Athena Chu
Yan, Kenix Kwok Ho-ying, and Flora Chan Wai-shan and actors Lawrence Ng
Kai-wah and Nick
Cheung Kar-fai are my best friends. I admit there
is keen competition but it's quite transparent and people know what and
how you are doing.
What do you like to do during your free time? What kind of music do you like to listen to? What kind of movies do you like to watch?
I like to go to church and chat with the priests
and sisters, and go for barbecues and hiking. I also love writing letters
to my friends when I'm free. I
love my friends. If you are passive, you can
easily lose them. I like watching different kinds of movies, especially
those depicting human
relationships. I also love listening to hymns.
When you are facing difficulties or great challenges, who do you turn to and what do you usually do to overcome these problems?
I pray and read the Bible and devote myself to
God. I face problems positively and think that they give me an opportunity
to grow up. If you don't
encounter problems, you can't make any progress.
Who are your favourite actors and actresses? Are they your role models? What do you like about them?
I have no special preference because I think everyone
has done a very good job. They have their own special talents. If I need
to choose, I like
Josephine Siao Fong-fong. Maggie Cheung Man-yuk,
Chow Yun-fat and Jackie Chan are my role models because their acting is
excellent.
What kind of qualities do you want in your Prince Charming? Has he appeared
yet? Would you want to continue working after marriage? How
many children would you like to have?
He should be a Christian and an energetic man
with a sense of humour. He has to accept my weaknesses and share our feelings.
No, he has not
appeared yet. I'm am still waiting. I would let
my husband help me make the decision. I don't mind carrying on or quitting
my work after marriage. I
am a traditional woman and I'll be happy taking
care of the family. In the past, I wanted to have many children.
But now I want to have one or two
because the world is a complicated place and
I am worried that I may not have the time to take care of a lot of children.
What are the most unforgettable events in your life/career?
The day I was baptised, December 7, 1996. I cried the whole day.
Do you have any success formula?
Hard work and I think the characters I played also helped.
If there was a next life, would you still want to be an actress or something else?
I don't want to think about it because I accept myself as an actress. I still enjoy my job.
Do you find the Hong Kong press too intrusive? Do you think there should
be guide lines on how far the paparazzi can go in chasing stories about
celebrities?
I was once chased by the paparazzi, and they were
very disturbing to me and my friends. Showbiz artists also need their privacy
and they don't have
to reveal everything to the public. Yes, I think
it will be a good thing if some guidelines are laid down.
Many young people see you as a role model. What is your message/advice to them?
I find most youngsters don't manage their time
very well. Therefore, they should spend their time more meaningfully, respect
their parents, and try to
play their roles in life.
To be a star in Hong Kong usually take long years of hard work. Some actors may take 10 + years before they become a big star. But many Taiwan Actress who are young don't have that kind of patient, so the quickest way to success in the HK market is to show off their body. Tin Sum and Lam Hei Lui are two recent actress who have picked this path to fame. Tin Sum (left) is suspected to be Wong Jing's secret movie weapon for NAKED KILLER 2000. She will be promoting her nude pictorial book in Hong Kong during April. While Lam Hei Lui (right) will star in the movie GAMBLING HERO VS. LAS VEGAS with Andy Lau Tak Wah. Hong Kong film industry feel they are the next super sex symbols and will be given every opportunites to become famous. (How about giving opportunities to actress who are not as sexy but can act?)