Ekin Cheng Yee- KinNews -August 2004 |
August 1, 2004
Last night was Ekin and Jordan's good brothers concert at Newway. This is the first time they have collaborated and shared the top billing in concert together. Ekin indicated that a number of years before he had longed for this kind of concert. He hoped that afterwards they could both use this pattern again to perform in Hong Kong and other places. The audience reaction was very warm. Ekin and Jordan alternated singing in performance and also sang together. The concert was almost three hours in length. Fans of both stars did not distinguish each other in order to encourage their idol. However, perhaps because Ekin not for a time has performed on stage, so fans offered flowers to him a number of times, causing his performance to get stronger. Already he had gone to edge of the stage to shake hands with fans.
Because Ekin was a student of Roman Tam, together with Jordan they expressed in song his famous music for eternity remembering him as a master and teacher in the music circle. Roman always taught everyone the proper work attitude. Ekin and Jordan also wanted to introduce Roman's music to the younger generation so that they could know this person.
They also invited Jerry Lam and Qian Jia Le to join them to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Young and Dangerous movies.
Additionally earlier Ekin attended a " Summer Day greet the Olympics " activity. Ekin explained that he had come across newspaper reports that very many tourists arrive and grasp sea stars and also collect shells. Ekin because he is the Ocean Ambassador took this very much to heart. He said he really hadn't thought there were many people who didn't understand the need to cherish the ocean environment, yet they destroy the ocean creatures. It caused him to feel very guilty.
Also there are reports that Gigi's MV will be used in a scene for the movie Divergence. Ekin emphasized that this was publicity. These communications are unrelated to the actors. Because he was saving his voice he refused to make an other reply.
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Sun
August 4, 2004
The movie Six Strong Guys will be shown in cinema at the end of August. There was a scene in the movie where Ekin made himself the punch bag for Lam to vent his fury. It turned out that Lam hated his father-in-law very much and Ekin, in an effort to curry favor, offered to be the punch bag and let Lam punch him as if he were his father-in-law. But Lam accidentally hit Zeng Jiang (his father-in-law in the movie) who, being hit, immediately fainted and fell on the floor. It was said that the shooting of the scene of Ekin and Lam pulling Zeng Jiang failed 8 times.
There was also a part in the movie where Ekin and Lam drank together and talked a lot at the bed side. Ekin said it was like the male version of Save My Life (Chinese title, Jiu Ming, starring Karena Lam and Li Xinjie). Lam agreed and even addressed Ekin as sister.
August 6, 2004
Last evening Sam Hui invited Ekin to be his special guest at his " Continue to Smile concert". Sam was full of praise for Ekin he said that they both had long hair and called him his successor. Sam told that the first time he made a musical he wanted Ekin to be in it. Yumiko was also a guest at the concert.
Additionally, the famous Japanese director Yan Jing Jun was in Hong Kong to publicize his latest movie. He said he hoped to exchange ideas with other Hong Kong directors and perhaps look for some scenery for his next movie. He said he intended to to meet with Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Ekin Cheng, Jordan Chan, Shu Qi, and Kelly Chen among others to discuss a possible collaboration in the future.
August 11, 2004
The latest poster for the comedy 6 Strong Men was released a few days ago. The official release of the movie is September 2, 2004. The premiere is scheduled for August 30, 2004.
The poster shows the 6 male lead actors carved out of a huge stone. The movie company explained that they engaged an artist to first draw the individual faces in outline. Then a computer sketch was made. The process took 2 months and cost a 6 figure sum. The movie company also intends to engage a sculptor to make a real image to display in the movie theater at the premiere. The concept is creative and is reported to be a collaboration between Zheng Dan Rui and the director Huang Zhen Zhen. The actors took more than 20 photographs of silly and grotesque expressions, then the staff voted for which one to use.
August 13, 2004
In Ekin's new movie 6 Strong Men there is a scene where the friends decide to make a strong wine because their colleague is upset. They don't know how to console him so they tease him instead, finding an old bottle and adding a mouse to the wine to fortify it so they can give the wine as a present to make him strong. The director didn't want to be accused of cruelty to animals so the mouse is fake. All of the cast were amazed at how life like it looked. Ekin was charged with roasting the mouse in the bottle with a lighter. During the scene Ekin was distracted by a girl who walked by and forgot he had a flame in his hand. As a result he burned his finger. In the same scene the friends are bowling. Another mishap almost occurred when a bowling ball was dropped just missing a toe.
August 17, 2004
Huang Zhen Zhen's new movie 6 Heroic Men will be released at the end of the month. The movie is a comedy that looks at the pressures men face in their lives. The director said that men usually find such problems difficult to talk about. Men have to go to work and seldom are they in control of the pressure they encounter. The movies examines the feeling that men should make and effort to surmount the problems they face. The director emphasized that it shouldn't just be men that watch the movie but women also, so that they can understand the pain faced.
6 Heroic Men has a number of firsts. It is the first time that so many top stars have collaborated together to make a home produced movie. The director talked about the experience of working with so many big name stars saying she felt both nervous and also excited, uncomfortable, but also fun, they were irritable but also happy.
The movie begins from the
committing suicide of the 4 main actors.
The assemble on the top of the office building and agree to jump off the building
to commit suicide because they are bullied at work and things in their lives
are not going well.
Well who can imagine the series of events that keep them from jumping. First
they have a confrontation with the police, ,then suddenly, there is a scream
lower down the building and a young person who lost at a computer game jumps
out of the window landing in the air cushion the police have placed at the base
of the building.
The great plan of committing of suicide fails to materialize, and so as a result
they have to pluck up courage and face their fate. realizing that death is not
going to solve their problems, which are still that their desires exceed their
abilities.
Suddenly Chui Sui Qiang ( Hacken Lee) dies., finally the others realize that
their lives are not so awful.
August 18, 2004
A few days ago Ekin was with a whole lot of little puppies taking pictures for a magazine interview. As he was leaving with 3 of his colleagues in the elevator, suddenly there was a huge "BANG" and the elevator stopped between the 1st and 2nd floors. One of the female colleagues was greatly panicked and kept asking when they would be able to get out. Ekin tried by force to pull open the doors. as he was unable all he could do was comfort the female colleague to be patient and wait for a rescue. The aid was slow in coming and the mood inside the elevator was uneasy. Then Ekin proposed that they all use their cell phones to take a picture to amuse themselves. Suddenly the mood became much more relaxed.
Ekin was not panicked and took care of keeping everyone calm. His aide did not use the elevator as he dislikes confined spaces and so used the stairs. He had to wait in the administrative office for Ekin. The TV also came across their unfortunate encounter and obtained the image taken un the elevator via the cell phones transmission. Ekin and his 3 colleagues were trapped for about half an hour before being rescued. When Ekin appeared he exhaled audibly and said that fortunately he didn't suffer panic and so was able to help the others to remain calm.
August 19, 2004
The cast of 6 Strong Guys were involved in a promotion for the movie. Each of them offered up a different style of underwear. Reporters asked Ekin is Japanese fans had in the past given him underwear. Ekin laughed and told the story of when he was in a television dram about Ghengis Khan he tried to wear paper underwear. As a result in one scene he had to ride a horse, when it was finished only one side of the paper remained. From then on he has not again worn paper underwear. Gigi will once again learn from A Sam. Ekin was asked if he would also become a student. Ekin felt that he didn't necessarily want to. Although his teacher Roman Tam was gone it was unlikely he would carelessly make a change.
August 21, 2004
Yesterday Ekin attended the reporter's association press conference for the anouncement of "star choice" talent lineup at TVB's Causeway Bay's Television City. Currently Ekin lives in Sai Kung in an independent style ocean front home. He was asked if he specially liked this kind of ocean house. Ekin said that in fact he liked old buildings but he was greedy and this house has enough space. He also feels that in new buildings there is not good use of the space. Despite that he is very satisfied with his home.
Ekin also read in the news that the air temperature in Hong Kong is continuously rising. This rise has been attributed to the shortening of the average person's life span by about 2 years. It is also said that after 100 years has passed Hong Kong will no longer have winter. Ekin said that currently he wants to start to consider moving to a place where the weather is better.
Reporters asked him if he had been following the Olympics. Ekin said that because in the last few days he has been very busy with work he hasn't had time to watch television. Regarding Hacken as a host, he feels that actors might as well host sports programs, he feels radio host better, but he hasn't this talent or the eloquence. So it is unlikely he would ever be a sports prpogram host. However if he was a guest, he would certainly create a good atmosphere.
August 24, 2004
Ekin together with the other stars of the new comedy 6 Heroic Men were in Beijing to publicize the movie. Also present were Hacken Lee, Andy Hui, A Zi, George Lam, Tan Jun Yan together with Karina Lam and Candy Lo.
Ekin talked to reporters at length. They mentioned several times that this differs very much from the hero movies he has made in the past. Ekin suggested that didn't they think it was time to bid such movies a glorious farewell. He went on to add:
In fact this it the thing I am most afraid of. Actors suffer a fixed image, and it becomes very hard to surmount it. However, I am always working very hard to break out of the stereotype. Now indeed is a very good example, In this role have very heavy pressure and the men talk about committing suicide, but because they alarmed the police it doesn't happen. They can only go on and each has to solve his own problems. I have to makes sure the reporters know the story so they can tell it to others. Worldwide men will all be able to find themselves in the roles. The film has some encourage the will flavor, and also a love flavor.
In the last several years I have worked hard to move away from my own movie role image. I have collaborated with the TWINS and Vicky Zhao. In fact I think to myself that everyone transmits a message that Ekin Cheng belongs in hero parts. Sure I can play the strong hero, but I can also play the funny guy.
Ekin talks easily about his desire for a breakthrough. Within the last few days the Hong Kong new media has exploded with material on Ekin. These days he is referred to as "Big Brother", already the media has decided to call Jordan, "Little Brother". After returning to BMG, the way the Record Company handle things made him have thoughts that they wounded Jordan, and that they graded the new person above him. But Ekin already has been 3 years without producing an album. Reporters use the term " bottle neck" to describe the situation. Also Ekin's Mandarin is not too fluent, he still likes to depend on a translator just to be sure he understands the meaning.
I feel that actors have stages, from having no parts to having very many parts. I think in life besides work you need to have your own direction. I especially like a sentence in an advertisement, " Wish for Tomorrow" really the future is an opportunity. It resembles my 3 years without parts, next year at last will begin start to develop, this then is the wish.
At the publicity meeting Ekin wore a diamond neck chain. This aroused reporters interest because seldom do men wear diamond neck chains. They felt it was unusual as mostly girls wear diamonds and asked him to explain.
I am very fond of girls and also very fond of diamonds. This happened several years ago I purchased the neck chain to encourage myself. I wear it when I am excited about something, like this new movie.
August 25, 2004
Ekin and Karena both have great expectations for the new comedy 6 Heroic Men. The movie will be in theaters everywhere early in September after the Hong Kong Premiere on August 30, 2004. The actors in the film united together with the director headed to Beijing for a series of publicity appearances. They arrived back in Hong Kong International Airport in the very early morning. The movie company spent a six figure amount for the publicity for the movie. The press was able in Beijing to use a room in a famous hotel to meet. The publicity attracted journalists from China and other countries. The scene was bustling and lively. A five room suite was used for reporters to take pictures and interview the actors. As a consequence the hallways were circuitous and complicated. The actors couldn't help but get lost and some of them had to ask hotel staff to direct them. This caused all the reporters to laugh heartily.
The event also attracted many hundreds of fans, who through the whole journey followed their idol. Most of the fans were those of Ekin, George Lam, Karena Lam and Hacken Lee, they made themselves known by calling their idol's name. At Beijing airport fans flocked against the barriers of the prohibited areas. The situation was quite chaotic.
Ekin from his heart said that he most extraordinarily appreciates the enthusiastic support of his fans. But he also hoped that they would pay attention to safety to avoid and unexpected occurrences.
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August 27, 2004
An ordinary hair salon, yet it attracted numerous celebrities. Part of the reason is that the owner has deep friendships with the actors. Ekin and several other actors have used 'Headquarters' for many years, they came to thank him for his support. Ekin said that from early record albums to now he has always helped me to look good.
August 28, 2004
Following on from her film about modern women, at last it is the turn to tell the male story. Although the film has a number of famous name leading roles, they all in reality face the pressure of modern men. The director wanted to have the six men colaborate to make a spark. Talking about the movie, the director and Ekin spoke of the building scene. Ekin said it was scary, in fact everyone was anxious, in fact we filmed just in time because the wind became strong.
The pressure for modern men is strong. This movie is an urban comedy, but also during the movie grief is also exposed. Society very much limits men, the image of young men having tears, or lifting the light ball has to be an expert is the prevailing opinion. In recent years because of the poor economy there is even more pressure. Perhaps their wives go out to work making them feel even more pressure. In the movie the pressure is more than the leading roles can bear and so they chose together to jump from a building and leave life.
George Lam plays the part of Rico the boss of a company. Usually he treats his underlings by making many demands, especially Ekin, who plays A Lang, who is even more bullied, being the number one target. The other characters all have their own problems, from unemployment to a wife's pregnancy. Finally the only possible solution seems to be suicide.
The male audience will easily identify with the characters, may even make them sigh at their own living conditions. As to the female audience also may more or less give some understanding of the men close to them. Perhaps they will be a little more peaceful with them after watching.
August 29, 2004
Yesterday the cast of 6 Heroic Men organized a publicity bowling match. Hacken Lee was the leader of the Heroes team and he challenged Karena Lam, Candy Lo and the other female members of the cast, as the Princess team to a competition. Even though the Heroes eventually were victorious Hacken still laughed and scolded A Ze for almost bringing the team down. A Ze held the record for 6 times bowling into the gutter and missing the pins. Hacken also pointed out that Ekin's bowling skill was inferior to his girlfriend Gigi, he thought maybe Ekin should call her for some lessons. Hacken is a good bowler and occasionally made a strike.
Tom
Entertainment
Wenweipo
August 30, 2004
Ekin yesterday afternoon hurriedly attended a charity screening of a Korean film, before rushing to participate in the sunshine program's final concert. Even thought there had been heavy rain throughout the day, just befor the concert was to start, the weather improved. The concert went very smoothly. Many stars participated in the concert including; The Twins, Miriam, Edison, Ekin and Joey among others.
The movie Heroic Duo won best foreign picture at the Tenth China Movie Awards. Ekin called the movie company boss Lin Xiao Ming to congratulate him. Originally Ekin would have like to attend the award ceremony, but unfortunately he had already agreed to be in Malaysia to publicize 6 Heroic Men, which caused him to miss the event. Ekin hoped that Xiao Ming would continue to invest even more in movies with mainland collaboration, as this will bring Hong Kong movies a step closer in the push toward the mainland market. Asked if he would do more mainland movies, Ekin cited the movie circle senior Du Qi Feng words, that when it is difficult in the movie circle then you have to insist on carving out your own role. So unless TVB seeks him to start work because he still owes a part in a drama, he can insist on leading role. If you don't count his recent return to production in the music circle, otherwise in recent years approaching the end he is filming drama, people might say he will film drama in exchange for an award. Ekin laughed at that, " Currently my work schedule is very dense. Even if I wanted to film a drama, the earliest would put it into next years business.
August 31, 2004
Last evening was the premiere of Ekin's new movie 6 Heroic Men. At the event were six young women dressed in sexy tube tops to go together with the six strong males. Hacken Lee said that the beautiful women were very good fortune for his eyes. Hacken also talked about the bedroom scene in the movie which was finally cut. He also said that Ekin had the best body, because he trained and did 30 pushups every day so he has a muscular abdomen. He added that if he wanted a lean body he'd have to microwave it. Ekin replied that what he envied was Hacken's golden voice and his quick mind. As to himself, he said he didn't have a fitness program, just before bed did 30 pushups, but sometimes he did other sports or exercise. He felt that everyone should do some exercise. He cited a friend who was over 50 years old, but because he exercised his look was still young.
