May 3, 2004

During a rehearsal for a Jade Solid Gold performance yesterday, Ekin, Jordan and Jerry once again sang the Young and Dangerous theme songs together. Ekin smiled and said that next year would likely sing again to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the movies.

Today Ekin and Charlene left for Thailand to begin work on a new movie 阿孖 有難 。 Due to news reports of terrorist surprise attacks Ekin carries a knife and a flashlight for protection. He wanted also to have a facemask to protect against poison air, but unfortunately he was unable to order one from the internet. Ekin will spent 2 weeks in Thailand. He said that since 9/11 everywhere customs are very strict, however he knows that it is permissible to carry personal safety items.

Regarding danger in his work, Ekin pointed out that live or die is fate, so he doesn't worry too much. Once when he was to film in the Philippines one of the volcanoes erupted. As a result none of the other actors were willing to go to the airport to travel there. Consequently they wanted to cancel the picture.

Sun - Article in Chinese
Singpao - Article in Chinese

pictures 1   pictures 2

 May 4, 2004

Ekin, Charlene and Zhong Zhen Tao yesterday were at the airport to travel to Thailand to work on Peng Fa Zhi's new film. In the past few days Thailand has suffered terror surprise attacks. Charlene said she didn't feel to anxious, and Ekin joked that he had hidden personal safety items. This weekend is mother's day and Ekin is most solicitous of his mother. For a long time he has asked her to go to Japan for a vacation, or even another part of the country. Ekin said that Gigi had been in Taiwan for publicity activities but each day she returns home. Ekin said," but today it is me that goes."

Singtao - Article in Chinese
Mingpao - Article in Chinese
Three Weekly

May 5, 2004

Yesterday in Thailand Ekin and Charlene participated in the start of filming ceremony. Owing to the fact that news reports have indicated that Thailand has become a target of terrorists, everyone asked the gods for a successful picture. Both Ekin and Charlene said that honestly they weren't that anxious they were there to make a movie. The director Peng Fa specially asked a place master to preside over the ceremony for everyone's good fortune and a smooth filming.

Charlene was happy to be working with Ekin again, because she said that after My Wife is 18 they already had an understanding, and even if they again perform as lovers it will be less difficult.

In the film Ekin plays two roles that are widely different. One is a masculine angry man, the other is a homosexual. Ekin feels that this will be a challenge. He said he was really nervous about in what way to perform, and afraid that he will suffer the director scold him. But Ekin laughed and said after this film he is afraid his mind will be divided.

Charlene will for the first time will learn to fire a gun for her role. She said it was a lot of pressure and because the weather in Thailand is hot, actions scenes are exhausting. She also laughed and said she is afraid she will become so tanned that she will look like an African, then when she returns to Hong Kong no one will recognize her.

Oriental Daily - Article in Chinese
Mingpao - Article in Chinese
Sun - Article in Chinese
Singpao - Article in Chinese

May 6, 2004

Ekin was featured in the food section of Mingpao magazine. He shared a favorite seafood restaurant at Bu Dai Ao. Usually a peaceful fishing village the restaurant on Friday nights and Holidays becomes very busy. Ekin provided directions and it was obvious that this was not the first time he had ben there. It is a favorite haunt of celebrities and in a typical week may receive visits from Chow Yun Fat, Simon Yam, Francis Ng, Denise Ho and Ada Choi together with other well respected names to enjoy a seafood dinner. The boss said that although he thinks the food is delicious, let's let the guests make the comments. Ekin very fond of being around nature and so chose to sit out on an overhang over the ocean. He said to enjoy a peaceful seafood lunch is a luxury for city people, but what is most important is the fresh cooked seafood. Ekin often approaches the restaurant from the ocean after spending time on his boat with his family, they moor and enjoy lunch or dinner here. It is not surprising then that Ekin said he didn't know well how to reach the restaurant by car, but the ocean road he knew very well. Ekin ordered an assortment of dishes including steamed crab, hot wine boiled snail, pepper salt shrimp and seabelt fried rice. Just had to take pictures of the delicious food. Ekin happily incessantly reflected on the good fresh taste. Everything was delicious and the meal for 6 people including drinks was around $100 per person. With satisfied smiles we departed. Ekin's comment was " Pleased I can come again."

Premium Mingpao - Article in Chinese

May 14, 2004

Ekin returned home today and was featured by Apple Daily.

Ekin earlier returned to the sanctuary of BMG and once again enters the music scene. He is already 36 years old and it has to be mentioned that 4 years before that Gigi intervened in the romance between himself and Maggie. Ekin insists that the decision was not a bad, and even more has said that perhaps by the time he is 40 years old he may consider to get married and set up a home with Gigi. At the time of this romantic triangle Ekin's career plunged suddenly to a low ebb. Many people sympathized with Maggie's loss. Also both Maggie and Gigi were both nominated for best supporting actress. Gigi suffered much attention by reporters and although she wanted to speak naturally she was careful to avoid speaking about Maggie.

Asked about this at the time Ekin refused to answer questions to avoid hurting people. However this has been an incessant topic of conversation. It is clear that Ekin completely cherishes Gigi, however on one hand he has a deep fear of how people repeatedly mention this matter. On the other hand he also knows that, unfortunately, an actors life and feelings on such a matter everyone wants to be public and know about it.

If you ask Ekin today whether the break up of his relationship with Maggie was friendly, he will say that he is unwilling to discuss private affairs, but at the same time also wishes everyone did not continuously bring up old matters.

Thanks to the press people still show concern over this. In fact people very quickly forget things. However,this matter is repeated over and over again. How about I not repeat about this matter. How about I am open about how this makes a cost to an actor.

Ekin has not yet considered marriage with Gigi. He talked of the fact that both his older brother and younger sister are already married. His older brother is also already a father. This means therefore, that his family don't compel him to consider settling down. At present careers come first, and it is unlikely he will consider marriage before he reaches 40 years old. Even then for both himself and Gigi nothing is definite.

Ekin really doesn't talk much about his family. However, every week he returns home to eat a meal with his family. "Sometimes I am very busy, but I average once a week to meet and together eat a meal." Ekin was asked how his family supported him when his career was at its lowest. He said that they continually encourage him so for them his career always at a high point. They make him feel that as long as he does his best everything will be OK.

Regarding Ekin's teacher the late Roman Tam, Ekin explained that from Roman he learned to be optimistic about everything. Even though his teacher knew he had cancer he daily called Ekin during that time. It is not good to cry, we seriously talked about how too many misgivings and apprehension can cause missed opportunities. Life moves on very quickly, each opportunity is therefore most precious.

Apple Daily courtesy of ekin.cn

May 15, 2004

In May 2004, SEIKO Watch Corporation plans to launch a celebrity campaign in the Asian region (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and China) featuring Hong Kong star Ekin Cheng.

In an effort to unify its brand image, which had tended to differ in different regions of the world, SEIKO Watch Corporation launched a new international advertising campaign in 2003 to establish a consistent image for SEIKO. This campaign, based on the concept of SEIKO’s brand vision, "Innovation and Refinement", is being carried out in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. The advertisements for this campaign are characterized by a monochrome color scheme and the use of minimal elements, making them ideally suited for conveying an image of refinement. The advertisements have earned high ratings in regional surveys worldwide.

Content of the New Advertisements
For its advertisements in Asia, SEIKO Watch Corporation has chosen to employ a celebrity symbol, but will still use the same concept and the same tone and manner as in the international advertising campaign. The company has chosen Ekin Cheng to embody the SEIKO brand vision of Innovation and Refinement, and its advertisements will highlight both the Elite Collection (Arctura, Sportura, VIVACE, Rivoli), the company's leading product series; and Criteria, its leading product series in Asia.

The advertising campaign in Asia will project a youthful, high-impact brand image designed not only to appeal to SEIKO brand's main target of men aged 25-40, but also to present the brand as attractive to a younger generation and to women.

The campaign will include newspaper, magazine and transit advertisements. For additional consumer appeal, in-store tools in the form of promotional items and showings of "Making of the SEIKO Advertisement" videos will also be used.

The photo session for this advertisement was done on 12 and 13 January 2004, in a studio in Tokyo. The filming, aimed at creating an embodiment of the SEIKO brand vision in Asia, was multifaceted, encompassing multiple advertising creatives about the company's new products; POP elements; a "Making Of" video; and interviews. In keeping with the variety of products represented by the campaign, a variety of costumes were used. But despite the many costume changes required, Ekin turned in a professional performance at the photo shoot.

Profile of Ekin Cheng
Born 4 October 1967, in Hong Kong
Chinese name:鄭 伊建
English name: Ekin Cheng
Height: 178 cm
Recent film performances (2003): The Twins Effect, Heroic Duo, My Dream Girl, Anna in Kung Fu Land

Seiko - Official site

May 18, 2004

Ekin indicated yesterday that he should be able to release his new CD in July. He is unable to properly publicize before then due to his filming schedule. Ekin recently returned from Thailand where he was filming with Charlene. He spoke of an incident during the filming when he entered as bathhouse and there were 8 large strong men naked in the soaking bath. Unexpectedly Shan Shan had followed him, but seeing the men caused her to feel embarrassed and she made a hasty exit.

Ekin also indicated that he will definitely film his MTV in the tropics and also mentioned that he will again go to Thailand for location shots for the movie 6 Heroic Men. Ekin said that the weather was very hot and that shooting could only proceed for about 3 hours before everyone needed to got to the hotel to rest. There was a suggestion that he consider massage for the fatigue, but Ekin said that he would not enjoy such an experience.

Sina.com

May 19, 2004

Yesterday Ekin began filming 6 Heroic Men. Together with Andy Hui and Hacken Lee he filmed a scene in a restaurant where they discuss the breakup of Andy Hui's character with his girl.

Sina.com

May 20, 2004

Ekin attended the once a year Radio 881 as an ambassador for children's friendship day celebrations at a local gymnasium. He seemed to really enjoy the proceedings.

Ekin was also interviewed by Sina.com He talked of his 3 years of singing career almost standstill at EEG. However, in movie circles he has been able to maintain a a definite frequency of exposure. His movie career also has undergone a transformation from the hero movie to comedy roles. Nevertheless, even though the movie career has been successful he still ardently loves singing. In Ekin's heart is still his music career. This year in April he returned to BMG. Ekin has popular support from fans all over the world and he seems very confident now he has returned, and has a great ambition to once again create another high peak.

Ekin also talked of the difficult times at EEG, He spoke of the Christmas publicity activity when very many singers perform. He had assumed that he would also attend as he had in the past, but this year he was not invited to take part. This cut he found very hard to bear.

Ekin put aside the unpleasant feelings and threw himself into his movie work. He found a new appreciation for himself without the need to sing. Although some people said that he was past economic appreciation and also that he was past learning new things.

Following this situation Ekin studied and learned to dive and also drive a boat. People sought him out to become an "Ocean Ambassador". He also tested a watch at the ocean bottom to determine whether indeed it was waterproof. In the past when I was asked to appear in public for publicity activities very soon was collecting much money to appear. In fact if the activity didn't produce much money I was unlikely to attend. However, these more recent activities didn't bring in much money but they made him feel happy and that his contributions were significant.

As Ekin returns to the music scene he talked of the fact he had experienced the CD market at it's best and pretty soon he will experience it at it's worst. He feels no pressure. He has often thought to himself whether or not he needs to sing, but he can't help feeling there is some unfinished achievement. However, he feels strongly that things should be under his own control and he will not again suffer the environment and the control of other people. When he was working on Anna in Kung Fu Land. one day he went into the recording studio to record the theme song. It had been so long since I was in a recording studio that I suddenly feel regret I cannot record my own song. This cause me to again think whether or not I should once again be a singer. I decide that I want to continue to sing and continue to produce CD's.

Many people point to Ekin's girlfriend Gigi and her continuous progress. They wonder if Ekin feels that she surpasses him. Ekin replied that 3 years is really a very short time, and no one knows what will happen next. I am very happy for her continuous progress and try to give her positive encouragement. That she has much work is a short term matter that's all. Ekin's career depends greatly on the other woman in his life, Lam Shan Shan. He describes her as very meddlesome, but he also admits that she is a mighty manager and treats him as very important.

Ekin also indicated that until recently he was not considered to be news worthy. All of the news was fabrications in magazines. For example when they reported that he climbed out of a window when eating a meal with Gigi to escape reporters because he was furious. Ekin smiled and said this this wasn't the worst, but the writers of such magazines want to write this way. I feel it is too much, to far from the truth. When Ekin encounters reporters or accepts interviews he is very careful what he says, however he notes that there is a reaction nevertheless. These days I neither make the effort to refute nor worry that what is written will have any direct influence on my career.

What is most important is to know yourself and the demands you ask of yourself.

Ekin.cn

May 22, 2004

Ekin was invited to participate in a reporters meeting with a whole lot of young martial arts performers. Ekin was chosen because he has filmed many action roles and people wanted him to teach the way . The other guest was the Hong Kong athlete Li Hui Deng who hopes to be able to compete on the 2008 Beijing Olympic team.

Ekin indicated that when he was young he had the chance to attend a sports college, but at that time the college didn't have a martial arts team, it only taught gymnastics. His desires were different and his mother finally forbade him to enroll. As to his own Martial Arts, Ekin laughed and said he was only half way to becoming a monk and joined the entertainment circle after he learned. He indicated that he had learned tiger and crane form fist. He felt that this covered the principles of Martial Arts and absolutely one benefits from this all one's life. However he feels that very many martial arts champions make movies or merely substitute other actors, really somewhat this wastes their talent. Ekin talked about how in the past he disliked action roles, mainly because he failed to understand why everyone wanted others to hit him. Now, however, he hopes he has the chance to take more action parts.

Wenweipo - Article in Chinese
Takungpao - Article in Chinese

May 23, 2004

Yesterday Ekin was filming a scene once again on the top of a high building for his role in the film 6 Heroic Men one of the other characters is bullied by his boss and intends to commit suicide by jumping from the 50th floor. Four of the other characters in including Ekin climb up to the top of the building to persuade him not to jump. because of this scene the movie company had applied to have firefighters, police and ambulances standing by as there is a serious element of danger involved in the shooting of such a scene. The building was rented for two evenings at a cost of $500,000HK. Due to the fact that Ekin already had experience on the top of high buildings in Running Out of Time 2 meant that he seemed fearless. Ekin explained that although he was unlikely to be alarmed, sometimes his body was sluggish to move and so felt a certain amount of pressure. He described the small platform built to overhang the building. he said there were just a few iron bars to lean on. If the wind was strong then everyone feels a little anxious as is dangerous.

Also yesterday Ekin helped Joey Yeung with an activity to raise money for children in Africa. Ekin said that can pay a little bit to help care for a small friend, both boys and girls. He also divulged that Gigi already helps support a child. Gigi was at a WWF benefit but was harassed by reporters on the question of in the future marrying Ekin. She was asked if she and Ekin both loved nature.Gigi pointed out that she was responsible for the land ecology while Ekin was the Ocean Environment Ambassador, responsible for the ocean ecology. Reporters pressed her on Ekin's love of the ocean. She responded by saying that she was very afraid to be at sea especially diving. However because Ekin loves it, she gets given the image that she looks down on his hobby.

Similar questions put to Ekin drew the response that in the next several years they were unlikely to get married. Ekin said that nowadays to wait a decade was nothing. for an average person this would be no problem, but as an actor have to suffer important events reporting, makes one feel very vexed. Besides he has not considered either marriage or the care of a small child.

Takungpao - Article in Chinese
Sun - Article in Chinese
Singtao - Article in Chinese

May 26, 2004

Ekin together with Andy Hui, Hacken Lee, Ah Lam, and Karina Lam were filming in a cemetery. Despite the somber mood of the scene, the actors were lively and relaxed. During the scene there is a subtle relationship between Ekin and Ah Lam. It seems Ah Lam was afraid that people might misunderstand and quickly pointed out that there was no homosexual relationships. They were just ordinary men who are good friends.

Mingpao - Article in Chinese
Wenweipo - Article in Chinese
Takungpao - Article in Chinese
Sina.com

May 28, 2004

Ekin daily seeks to use his status as WWF ocean ambassador. Yesterday he used his status as ambasador at the WWF watch fish race, to publicize June as World Ocean Month. Ekin appealed to the public to protect the ocean's natural resources. During the activity many small friends dresed up and acted as sea creatures. Ekin also agreed to act as a king crab. He laughed even more and said he could become King Crab Noodle. The children thought big brother Ekin was very funny.

Ekin loves the ocean, in particular he likes on hot summer days to engage in every kind of on the water activities. Whenever he has time he goes out on the ocean, because he prefers to only go on sunny days his skin is very tanned. He was asked if Gigi went out on the ocean with him. Ekin laughed and said that these kinds of activities were not suitable for his girlfriend. He talked about the fact that Gigi is a spokesperson for protecting beautiful white skin products, so how can she do outside activities and have tanned skin. Therefore, Gigi is rarely with him when he is outside in the sun, unless it is an overcast day or he chooses to go in the evening, then she will go out on the ocean with him. Ekin is very considerate, he is unlikely to force his girlfriend to participate in on the water activities.

Mingpao - Article in Chinese
Takungpao - Article in Chinese
Sun - Article in Chinese
Wenweipo - Article in Chinese
Yahoo.com- Article in Chinese

May 30, 2004

Yesterday, Hong Kong famous movie star Ekin Cheng was at Shijijinhua public square in Xian as spokesman for a certain product. Fans converged on the square from all directions. The square was surrounded by densely packed fans and reporters. Although on the stage, Ekin barely stayed 10 minutes, still he received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from his fans. This is the second time he has visited Shanxi Province this time as spokesperson for Shiseido, the last time it was for an expensive watch and was in the winter, it was very cold, yet tens of thousands of fans assembled to his surprise. Reporters noted at that time that Ekin had been nervous to see so many fans, and they had overheard him make a phonecall asking for more security to keep order. On the stage in the center of the area Ekin naturally smiles. Ekin explained that he had not thought he would come to Xian twice. The first time was very cold , this time warm, last time he had been very bashful at fans calling out " I love you" this time he talked very fast and make them pay attention to him. He also asked reporters if there were places selling snacks and drinks for fans as he was concerned that it was very warm.

Ekin is not good at experssing feelings, even more he is not fond of the "love" word. He faced reporters asking about he and girlfriend Gigi's living conditions. His replies were very low key.

Ekin talked about the way reporters like to write. He notes that he is a very ordinary person and so his write ups may not be so very interesting. In Hong Kong it meant that often his news was seldom reported. The biggest time of gossip was when I parted company with my former girlfriend Maggie. He is still angry over the reporting, especially that he would care for her for a lifetime. He talks about an incident of reporting when he was working at the TV station making a program and reporters wrote that he was in the restaurant having dinner with a girl. They wrote that when I noticed reporters were trailing me I jumped out of the window to escape. This to me is very unfair. How can they be allowed to fabricate this kind of story?

In the last years Ekin's achievements can't be regarded as ideal. His singer background frozen because of collaboration problem with former record company, for three years didn't produce a new song. Also in the movies he change from a hero to a comic. Ekin hopes that he has finally moved beyond this unhappy time. He hopes he can again reach the same kind of achievement as before. At present he is busy with parts in two movies. One is 6 Heroic Men which reflects the struggles of ordinary Hong Kong males to survive.

Shaanxi Province News Website - courtesy Ekin.cn
sina.com