June 1, 2004

An Zi and Ekin are still working on the movie 6 Heroic Men . They both agreed to work overnight to accomplish some scenes. This meant that they had time to chat together and they have an even deeper companionship. However there have been reports in the press that the two do not get along. Hacken Lee laughed at the notion. He said that all of them have worked together many years and this is not something people should take to heart. He did not believe there were any difficulties between Ekin and anyone else on the movie. He failed to understand why there are such reports.

The most dangerous scene in the movie takes place on the top of a 50 storey building. The movie company purchased $10,000,000 worth of insurance for each of the actors. The movie explains the relationships of 6 different men mentality. One scene depicts Ekin and the other actors look at themselves as non starters. They agree to jump off a building. Ultimately they don't go through with it and return. They hoped to film the scene in half an hour as it was very dangerous. To help the actors feel comfortable to perform the director Huang Zhen Zhen and the action director spent 15 minutes preparing them mentally. The scene was filmed in one take but the four were still frightened to pretend to step out.

Takungpao - Article in Chinese

June 3, 2004

Yesterday, Ekin accepted an interview. He is very tanned. Actually a few days ago he went out on the ocean to take the pictures for his new cd cover. It was sunny the whole day of the photo shoot. He was asked if he selected to go out on the ocean to model his body type. Ekin laughed and said "No, he hasn't any muscles so forced to not reveal."

Ekin will again go to Thailand to work on the movie with Charlene. He thought that when he returns his skin will be even more tanned. Actually until now Ekin has not had the habit of using sun screen. He was asked if he was afraid of skin cancer? Ekin honestly said he had seen in a book that if the sun makes dark is not a problem but just if the sun makes the skin red it is a problem.

Ekin's girlfriend Gigi a few days ago went to Kenya to film the scenery. Because of the cost of local long distance telephone, their usual communication has to be short. Ekin explained that this is the 3rd time that Gigi has been to Africa and she is warmly welcomed by the local people. He has never been to Africa but he hopes that he can go once and that his girlfriend will act as a tour guide to take him sightseeing.

In addition, there is a report that Ekin is being sought to work with Jackie Chan on Rush Hour 3. Ekin's manager Shan Shan has been asked if it is true. She said that if it is true there would be long telephone conversations for information first. She went on to add that Ekin has long studied English and so a part in a western movie would be no problem. Also Ekin has always hoped to be able to collaborate with big brother Jackie Chan.

Mingpao - Article in Chinese
Wenweipo - Article in Chinese
Oriental Daily - Article in Chinese
Takungpao - Article in Chinese

June 4, 2004

Ekin visited the elderly and brought gifts to show care for the city's elderly residents together with Jordan Chan and Huang Kai Qinas part of an exercise by a Hong Kong radio station. Ekin said that he felt that everyone form 30 to at most 40 years old should begin to do some kind of exercise. at the same time it was importrant to feel that life was happy. He explained that his father was an active man who very much liked sports. On the other hand his mother did very little exercise. Sometimes she says she is going swimming, but when she returns her swimsuit is dry. No one gives her a hard time because important not to laugh or make her cry. No longer does Ekin have pressure to get married and produce a grandson. He explained that his mother already has a near one yearold grandson. They spend a lot of time together. Both his older btother and his younger sister are married so he now has much freedom from this kind of get married question. He said that he is mainly responsible for the entertainment of everyone.

Wenweipo - Article in Chinese

June 5, 2004

In the past four years Ekin has learned by heart the meaning of depression. He has encountered the loss of assets, people's anger, the loss of his singing career and the movie industry also once abaandoned him. However, Ekin nowadays at last has a thorough understanding and deep awakening of how by other he inside is injured. But once more he starts out to revive the dream of being a singer.

3 years ago Ekin because of his older brother status signed with Music Plus ( EEG) record company, as a result his singing career close to stop production. In April this year he returned to BMG record company. Ekin has popular support through the outside world, but in Hong Kong the record business is in recession. Ekin has chosen this moment to return to the music circle.

ycwb: For 3 years haven't produced CD, regarding your return to the music industry do you have confidence or not?

Ekin: Can produce a CD, then I am already very happy. At present the CD I produce is not necessarily able to make money. This is part time. I and very many singers together make movies. All say money not equal to making movies, forget it. You say singing must also make money? Everyone wants to think, not good enough he shouldn't do, but no one have forseen me able to return to make singer.

ycwb: Have you asked Gigi to write a song for you?

Ekin: I have written songs myself before. This CD is supervised by Chen Guangrong, he has said to me that need to first suceed with specific songs. Perhaps see next time.

ycwb: Right now at the serious publishing stage, what are your feelings on publicity?

Ekin: I feel at present compares impartial, before on the other hand felt pressure. Whenever have a large scale performance, at that time 4 big days and fans buy up every ticket. But a concert the tickets sell very quietly, very boring. At present though can be compared average. The new generation of fans are happy as long as the mood is good and they can clap their hands and applaud. Fans are unlikely to hiss, but have been inclined to give no reaction.

ycwb: It has been a long time since you sang, are you nervous?

Ekin: Compared to before my confidence is bigger. Before any singing situation seem I wait to die alike, especially at award ceremonies I went to. I think I have some good songs, but feel image not ready. Now it is likely I will experience some things, but I still have confidence.

Ekin has changed his hero image to perform comedy. He created splendid hero roles of Chan Ho Nam and Whispering Wind, but has been forced ro follow the tide of popular demand and become a comedy actor. Even though you didn't hesitate, do you feel wronged or stretched by the impetus forced to follow?

Ekin: Film is follow trend, before hero parts were popular, special skill parts. The last several years have been comedy. It is hard to film comedy, I am not used to it. Most have the impression of My Wife is 18 fixed. Really want to film like this? I am a hero, why would I play this kind of small man?

ycwb: People have very much said that in Protege de la Rose Noire you built a character that was very ugly. Do you have any opinion?

Ekin: My old movie fans likely think this as able remember me work as hero. But the new generation do not recognize me. They like the Twins and not necessarily know Ekin Cheng. You cannot miss the previous, otherwise no way to assimilate new things. In fact after the movie came out, the audience reaction to Robin was not bad. On the other hand some of the young movie fans have no idea who Chan Ho Nam is.

Fortunately, nowadays Ekin's career once more is on the upward track. He has learned the loss of the assets of life and has also suffered. With Gigi he is feeling even more good, but doesn't say all he could. When speak of staring to prepare to start a family, Ekn says he has not made any preparations for two person living, also has not reached this kind of relationship. Certainly is food for thought. It appears that your girlfriend like yourself is very busy. Are you happy or not about that?

Ekin: At the outset have some not happy. Now slowly get used to it.

ycwb: Your girlfriend's career, do you mind whether compare to you strive?

Ekin: No, only everyone at a different stage, she now compares to me during 1993 and 1994, I much earlier go through this stage. So I am able sometimes to give her suggestions.

ycwb: While you didn't produce a CD, did your girlfriend give you any suggestions?

Ekin: Her suggestion is " unimportant, because you also make movies mainly." In fact we seldom discuss our public lives as can mix up ideas in talk and able hurt feelings.

ycwb: You and Gigi at present live separately, Why not live together?

Ekin: Living separate is very good, we have private space, but feel very near and can at anytime meet.

ycwb: When will you get married?

Ekin: Don't know. I feel in order to get married some business need take place. For example two people very happy in the area of travel, so just enough romance.

ycwb.com

Ekin returned to Thailand today to continue filming his new movie with Charlene. Last night however, he spent time with his family to celebrate Father's Day. He arranged for his parents, together with his older brother and his wife to take a trip. Ekin made use of his fly miles to make the trip inexpensive and convenient. He also stressed that it was unlikely that he would have to give them any spending money, but he just wanted them to enjoy. Reporters wanted to know whether he was worried that thieves might target them. Ekin said that it was not likely. Actors are targeted because it is very easy to recognize them and follow their movements, but everyone knows that actors have no money. In fact I am very poor, I only have enough to buy food and a toy, a thief would not do well to make me a goal.

Wenweipo - Article in Chinese
Singtao - Article in Chinese
Oriental Daily -Article in Chinese

June 12, 2004

At the end of the month Ekin will begin another movie in collaboration with Daniel Wu. The director will once again be Benny Chan.

Recently, Ekin also once again took photographs for the Jorano Company's casual clothing spring catalogue.

Jorano

June 13, 2004

Jet Li came to Hollywood, followed by Chow Yun Fat and Jackie Chan, the latest rumor is that Ekin will be next. Overseas news media has already announced officially that Ekin will collaborate in Rush Hour 3 with Jackie Chan and Steven Segal. Although there has been no official word, it would seem that Ekin will play a Hong Kong police officer.

When Ekin was first asked about the news he did not seem very shocked.

" I also hear this information but still Jackie Chan has not confirmed it. If I really can go to Hollywood, of course it is very good. I will be able to learn very many things. Still indeed I heard say I am not the only one collborate with Jackie Chan, also will be a person I admire very much, Steven Segal, and so I look forward to collaborating with them."

Ekin was asked if he thought his English was good enough to work in Hollywood, he seemed fully confident. He indicated that he had recently asked his personal English teacher to intensify his studies, in order to improve his English. He said that if he was able to go to Hollywood to film, then certainly his English would go up a level.

The initial information about this movie came out of Japan, where the news media always follows Ekin with interest. They reported first that Ekin would film Rush Hour 3 with Jackie Chan.

(Du Mai Xiwen)

"Ekin is in the process of becoming Jackie Chan's succesor. Ekin has collaborated with Jackie Chan before in last year's Twin's Effect. In that movie Ekin played the lead role and Jackie the made the guest appearance. In Rush Hour 3 undoubtededly the roles will be reversed. Ekin will also for the first time work with Steven Segal. Steven is famous in Hollywood for leading roles in action movies like Under Seige and Belly of the Beast."

Sina.com

June 16, 2004

Yesterday Lin Zi Xiang and some of the other cast members took pictures for a publicity poster for their new movie 6 Heroic Men . Lin Zi Xiang explained that his part in the movie is not yet finished because Ekin is currently in Thailand filming for another movie. He predicted that it would be the end of June before Ekin returned to Hoing Kong.

The day before Gigi, who is about to release a new album, was asked if she would write songs for Ekin. Gigi said that she was always willing to write songs for Ekin, but it may not be what he wants to happen. It would be his decision.

Wenweipo - Article in Chinese

TVB footage of filming - #5

June 17, 2004

Yesterday Ekin at the happy youth festival (sponsored by the Teapot Club) The children selected him as "the most wanted to with him play video game's father performing artist. " Ekin felt very happy and excited to be chosen by the children. Ekin honestly said that until now he very much love to play computer and video games, but also he said that maybe children would have move fun studying an instrument if they had a quality game so they can compare if they have increased theirknowledge. He talked about the games that are violent and bloody and felt that they should only be for people who were of age and should not be available to children. Because of this Ekin intends to design some computer games himself suitable for children. Ekin is a pretty good teacher of video games and has even taught his father to play and also connect to the internet. Reporters of course wanted to know if Gigi played video and computer games. Ekin said "unlikely, she plays a stringed instrument so need not play computer games. Then he was asked if he would teach his own children to play. Ekin smiled and said that in the future likely they will have games designed for babies and so they will not need him to teach them.

Takungpao - Article in Chinese

June 18, 2004

Three years ago Ekin was selling a number of the properties he owned. One family made contact through the estate agent to buy the property. Later they said trhat the walls were saturated with water and backed out of the contract, causing the agent to lose $13,000 in commission for which he is suing. Ekin in a recent telephone interview said that he was aware of this matter. It is between the estate agent and the family. concerned. Ekin also indicated that when he decided to sell the building the employees of the agent looked at the whole building before reccomending the price. The legal case relating to this matter began yesterday.

In the last few days Ekin released a second song from his soon to be released album. The song is also written by Chen Guangrong. It is called 內傷. (Hurt Inside)

The Sun - Article in Chinese
HK News Yahoo.com
Oriental Daily - Article in China

June 21, 2004

Ekin made a sound recording, then afterwards arrive at a sports store to buy a diving eyeglasses and a strong absorb water towel for a Father's Day gift. He spent $280 HK but he also some of the things were diving articles for his own use. Ekin explained that his father every day at dawn already goes swimming, but because his habit is to sleep late he is seldom able to go with him.

Later he arrived at a French Restaurant to make a cake, can only see his mess all around, he is embarrassed and said that likely the restaurant will want to use much time to clean, later he said because his time dried up someone ekse made the cake. Whether or not I made the cake is not important, everybody should understand he is unlikely to make it. But later he personally fixed the decorations. He added some cream icing. The interviewer asked him directly if his father would eat it. Ekin said he would at least eat the cream layer. Ekin then used chocolate to draw 5 smiling faces in the top of the cake. He said that they represent the five people in his family. They were both very amused at the smiling faces. Afterwards Ekin placed some rose petals and a leaf. Finally he wrote a character on the leaf in jam. Ekin became a little irritated by the reporter keep asking whether his father would eat the cake. Finally, he said that they would eat the cake together.

Tungstar
Singtao

Even though Ekin's voice was lost he still talked to reporters. He said that the reason was likely because within the last few days leading up to this night he had rushed filming and so his sleeping had been insufficient. Becuse the cause was his continued work he now needs to postpone all progress and seriously rest. As a result the release of his new album is postponed a week.

The day before yesterday Ekin worked on the filming of 6 Heroic Men with Ah Lam. Ah Lam plays Ekin's no good boss who calls on his underling for many things. Ekin has to suffer the bullying of his boss. Ekin said that before he joined the entertainment world he has also tried work before. He had wanted to work poart time to got to college and had done a number of jobs so he understood. Ekin told of the time he worked in Mc Donalds. He said at that time he suffered the bullying of a boss. He wanted him to clean the women's bathroom and remove the garbage. Ekin went on to say that to learn from experiences you have to have a tough skin.

Ekin said that Ah Lam he consistently looked at as his idol and he was honored to collaborate with him. Ah Lam was asked if he had taught Ekin about filming. Ah Lam smiled and said he did not need to, Ekin was taught just right already.

Filming begins early morning at about 5 am and goes on until evening. The director wants to film scenes 6 or 7 times so that frim the results can select the optimum scene.

Singtao
Sohu.com
Weneweipo
Takungpao