Ekin Cheng Yee- KinNews -November 2005 |
November 1, 2005
Seiko has updated to the Fall/Winter advertising campaign once again using Ekin to embody the brand's image.
The advertisements have a strong emotional element , and try to convey atmosphere by emphasizing the personal appeal of Ekin and by increasing the emphasis on the watches themselves. The ad copy for this year is, “IT’S YOUR WATCH THAT TELLS MOST ABOUT WHO YOU ARE.” Through this strategy, the company seeks to zero in more closely on its target of self-confident adults whose lifestyles are in synch with their core values.
The filming session for the advertisements was done in January 2005 at a studio in Japan. The session took two days and, although the weather was still cold, included not only photo shoots for spring/summer and autumn/winter 2005 advertisements, but also the filming of a promotional video. As was the case with the advertisements, two versions of the promotion video were produced: spring/summer and autumn/winter.
The new advertisements also celebrate the attractiveness of an adult male. The ad visuals are designed to bring out the innate manly appeal that lies beneath Ekin's refined exterior.The photo session required the shooting of multiple visuals that represent each watch brand. Also packed into the two-day session was the filming of two promotional videos. Despite the tight schedule, which was divided down to the minute, everything proceeded smoothly.
Ekin talked about his involvement with Seiko
“I've been wearing SEIKO watches since my student days, and all of my friends had them too. The SEIKO brand image is associated with sturdy, reliable watches that are among Japan’s leading products. I think the watches are superior in terms of quality, comfort, and practicality, and also in terms of creativity.”
“I was really happy to become the representative of a brand that I’d felt so close to. I also got to work with Japanese people and learn a lot of creative things. A lot of people around me started wearing SEIKO watches, and my friends started asking me a lot about SEIKO products. When I catch sight of my ad in countries outside of Hong Kong, sometimes I'm surprised.”
“I'm an artist, and at first glance I appear to be doing some special, fancy kind of work. But I actually like to lead a simple, natural, and people-oriented life. SEIKO watches are simple yet creative, so I think they're the ideal expression of that lifestyle.”
November 3, 2005
The earlier rumors of Ekin and Gigi's break-up became a hot focus for the media. As was the gossip linking Ekin to his TVB drama co-star Linda Cheung. Recently Ekin has been unusually angry with the media. The TVB drama, Always Ready will premiere in Hong Kong during November, 2005. Ekin besides personally hanging beneath a helicopter for publicity will also with Linda Cheung attend publicity events. Ekin's manager Lam Shan Shan explained that Ekin has experienced this kind of gossip before. Making movies leads to much gossip, so it is unlikely being with Linda Cheung at publicity events will bother him, especially since these rumors are false. As much as declare this publicly, Ekin himself already good idea it will upset the activity. During the publicity of course will do ones best. This is not a collaboration with the flying service so Ekin has a high degree of confidence. Always Ready will air in the 10pm time slot, some worry as to how any will watch. TVB explained not worried as before another popular show, broadcast numbers will not be bad. Also the leading stars are Ekin, Lin Bao Qiu, Charmaine Sheh, Linda Cheung etc. all popular actors.
November 7, 2005
Yesterday Ekin was in Cheung Chau in his capacity as ambassador for the "generations without hepatitis" health service day. People were able to have a rapid blood test using a million dollar new machine that detects changes in the liver tissue. Ekin advocated the test giving prevention and cure information. He also took the blood test.
Ekin has not been to Chang Chau in a long time, the last time was more than 10 years ago to film a television drama. However the local people gave him a warm welcome. As to the new drama Always Ready, Ekin's most urgent hope is that everyone feels a high degree of wanting to watch.
November 8, 2005
This afternoon Ekin, Joey Yeung, and Steven Wang together with family members attended a ceremony for the launch of a new series of popular Hong Kong singer postal stamps. The stamps depict singers who have recently died. Stamps depicting Daniel Chan, Roman Tam, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui were on display. Thanks were given to everyone concerned with the thought and design process for the stamps. Ekin and Joey were both students of Roman Tam. Joey said that this commemoration of these stars on postal stamps was an extremely interesting concept. She added that she didn't really like the stamp of her teacher Roman Tam. Ekin on the other hand felt that if it is a commemoration then it is good.
November 10, 2005
Li Jia Er (Kelly) and Radio host Zhou Guo Feng were married today. Almost 300 friends and family attended to celebrate with them, including some famous Hong Kong celebrities. Among then were Aaron Kwok, Gigi and Ekin, Eason Chan, Joey Yeung, Twins, Yumiko, Cecilia Cheung, Kelly Chen, and Denise Ho.
Gigi helped Kelly put her wedding together. Reporters asked Gigi about her own wedding and when it would be. She said that she and Ekin have an understanding that work comes first, and so it was unlikely that there would be any marriage plans for two or three years. She also said that because Ekin had to rush away to work on an advertisment, they gave separate gifts.
November 12, 2005
Today YCMD participated in the 10th China International Fashion Fair in Human. Ekin attended in his capacity as a spokesman for YCMD, as they showed their 2006 Winter Collection. He sang the theme for his new TVB Drama and also met and talked to fans attending the event. Several thousand fans came to see him, some from as far away as Shanghai and Beijing. The reporters were most respectfully and as a result Ekin was very friendly with them, however they still politely asked questions about his "feelings change crisis", hoping that he would explain a little. Ekin firstly thanked the mainland fans for their concern and support, then cleared up that this "never happened" and his feelings with his girlfriend Gigi are currently stable. In addition his living conditions are very simple. He liked to watch a movie with his girlfriend of go out to eat, just very simple. Reporters went a step further asking if this disturbance had affected him mentally. He rapidly denied this, saying that the whole thing was manufactured by Hong Kong journalists, he added that they write excessive nonsense, they have to make up topics of talk.
The topic then turned to the fact that many artists are moving their center of work to the mainland. Ekin indicated that although the mainland's markets were good and he was tempted, but for the present his center of work will remain in Hong Kong. His new TV drama Always Ready will soon air on Hong Kong TV. At the same time he is actively planning his next new album. Last year he released an album but the result was not ideal. This year he will consider changing his style, and hopes also to collaborate with different singers. He will also try to use Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese to sing in performance. He divulged that he was in discussion with Jordan Chan to plan a collaboration for the new album. Reporters asked if he would collaborate with his girlfriend Gigi on the album. Ekin smiled and said that he totally admired her music talent, however her style was inappropriate for him and so for now there was no plan to collaborate.
Even though in recent years Ekin's participation in the entertainment industry has been less than ideal, mostly because of record company problems, especially the three years the record company froze him and he was unable to release an album. Even his recent movies it seems have been unable to hold him at the top of his career, sinking into comedic and supporting roles. Even the box office numbers have not been good. But here in Human today, Ekin attracted thousands of fans from all over the mainland to this event. They held up cloths with the name of their idol, making the occasion spectacular. Even though Ekin's movies and albums have a tiny influence on the mainland, his series of spokesperson events have caused him to pick up a serious crowd of fans.
November 15, 2005
Today Ekin and other members of the cast for the TVB new drama Always Ready attended a promotion activity at the International Airport, Government Flying Service Team's headquarters. The five main actors were appointed flying service publicity ambassadors. Because Lin Bao was unable to attend, Ekin found himself taking care of the three female leads. Ekin has also been linked in gossip to female lead Linda Cheung, so much so that there was speculation that Gigi was jealous. Ekin and Linda had not seen each other for several months and warmly greeted each other. They naturally posed for pictures without embarrassment. Ekin laughed and said the gossip was false, he just treated it as propaganda for the drama. He also said that it was possible for men and women to be be only friends, when you collaborate with people afterwards can become good friends. Ekin expressed regret that Hong Kong society seemed to assume that if a man and a women were friends it meant that they had a lover's relationship, in fact men and women can be just friends, that the media always suspects in this way is very strange. But he indicated that of course he tries to avoid these rumors.
November 17, 2005
Ekin and Gigi recall the events of the past with regret, the situation has been far from easy, they have kept things low key because the relationship endangered their careers.
One time when Ekin and Gigi went for a meal, Gigi cried, and wasn't able to stop. Even now when she recalls that part of her life she can still cry as it was unbearable, except for the fact that people from many walks of life verbally attacked her, she also worried about whether her career would fall.
She talked about Ekin's protection of women he loves. She recalls that he didn't want to hurt Maggie, and even though they had already secretly broken up, he still thought hard about how to announce it so that the reporters couldn't go after her. When they were still together Maggie also had a time when things were very low key and there was seldom exposure.
Ekin on the other hand was found by some friend's advertisement company. Ekin had long hair at this time and the photographers requested just about every kind of style, even without his shirt. Maggie would sit off to the side and study a TVB script.
Recently Maggie, for the first time, was invited to be on the cover of a weekly publication, wearing a bikini. Since their break up she and Ekin haven't even had casual communication.
Gigi noted that Ekin has style, he has never revealed why he and Maggie broke up. Gigi did say however that listening to his friends she knew a little.
November 20, 2005
Yesterday Ekin attended Ling Nan University to celebrate with many seniors and learning challenged people their community university graduation. Ekin expressed that it was good to continue one studies, that even with a poor economy everyone should not give up.
In addition Ekin talked about looking forward to the release of his new drama Always Ready. After seven years he will once more be on television. He was asked if he was worried that roles would not be forthcoming next year, he answered that he hadn't given it any thought.
He also said that in recent days his rental properties had received a notification from the police that burglary crime had increased in the area. Ekin immediately paid to install a strengthened the security system. He joked that keeping a dog was a good deterrent to burglars, but obviously he didn't buy everyone a dog, just upgraded the security system.
November 21, 2005
Tonight Ekin's new TVB drama Always Ready starts broadcasting in the 10:15pm time slot. Some of the cast are anxious because they fear that many audience members will already be going to bed.
Yesterday Ekin, Bowie Lam, Charmaine, Charles Ying and Linda Cheung among others once more attended the Government Flying Service Team Headquarters Open Day at Hong Kong's International Airport. The lead actors all hold the office of publicity ambassadors. They wore the GFS uniforms and arrived at the scene in a helicopter. They played games with the audience. In addition, Ekin hung in the air to demonstrate the rescue work. He won much applause. He explained that the demonstration performance was arranged just before he arrived . Fortunately during the filming of the drama he received training and so he was able to deal with it.
Ekin said it had been 10 years since he last watched a TV drama at his home. The reason was that the antenna didn't work and he couldn't watch TV. However because he wants to watch Always Ready he has fixed the situation. He also talked about the TVB awards ceremony and it's interest, however he felt that there should be a category for the support production staff, because without them the actors could not accomplish the spectacular drama series. Ekin pointed out that his own work's goal is not to win prizes, he most wants to choose roles where he can challenge himself and also like the content. He said that to successfully change ones style from a movie actor to a TV actor was not easy.
Takungpao
Sun
Mingpao
Wenweipo
Singpao
November 26, 2005
Yesterday Ekin accepted an inteview from 881 radio station. Ekin said that he had invited his friends and neighbors to watch his new drama Already Ready. He said that both his friends and neighbors had been very interested in the new drama and they praised it highly. Unfortunately his girlfriend hadn't yet seen it as she was working.
There is a rumor that Ekin will again sign with BMA and once more enter the music circle. Ekin said that there were still some details to work out but later he will hold a press conference to announce. However as his girlfriends style of music is very different to his own, it is unlikely that he will invite her to compose for him.
November 26, 2005
Ekin together with a whole lot of Always Ready cast members were at Kui Fang Shopping Plaza to engage in a publicity event. Because Ekin was in Japan for a visit he arrived almost an hour late. The event organizers wanted him with Linda Cheung to demonstrate an artificial breathing mouth to mouth technique, but Ekin declined politely, saying will have to wait until next time. He did however allow contestants to try to splint his leg. Everyone had a good time playing emergency treatment games with the audience and also gave out many prizes.
November 27, 2005
Ekin attended a Canon camera publicity event, Photo Imaging, Asia. The event was designed to introduce the Digital ixus Wireless the latest offering from Canon. The chairman of Canon gave Ekin several of the cameras. Ekin has been collaborating with Canon for the last 3 years. Canon is also a major sponsor for TVB's new drama Always Ready in which Ekin has a leading role. Ekin indicated that as yet he didn't know how the drama was being received, but he was aware that people had thought the opening was not bad, and the drama has already become a popular topic of talk. About this he was extremely happy. Reporters wanted to know if there was likely to be a sequel. Ekin said that TVB had already applied to the Civil Aviation Authority and the Government Flying Service, but formalities were very complicated, so he believed that within 10 years it was unlikely they could make the same kind of drama. When asked if he would film more television, he said he hadn't discussed it. In the past he filmed action and cartoon character roles. Prior to Always Ready, six or seven years ago Ekin filmed Face to Face. He has a contract with TVB for another 20 episodes, but there was no year deadline restricting him. Ekin also mentioned that he is in the process of renovating his house. A number of young directors have asked if they could use his property to film advertisements but Ekin has refused them. However once his home is renovated he may reconsider.
November 29, 2005
Ekin's new TVB drama began broadcasting last week. Yesterday morning Ekin and Linda Cheung in order to publicize their new drama Always Ready accepted a radio station interview. The gossip about the couple again became the focus of discussion. Later in the day they both, together with other cast members attended a publicity event. Linda Cheung was asked whether the gossip was embarrassing for her, she said that she only understood that it was totally foolish. Ekin said that as the drama had only just begun to broadcast he hoped once everyone watched a few episodes that slowly it would get good ratings. He was asked about filming a continuation, but he indicated that he didn't have a big interest in that, but if there is the recording time then can go on and film more. However he would rather film a different subject. Sometime later Ekin left for Canada, where he will be a special guest at the Vancouver Miss China Pageant. Asked why he wasn't a judge, Ekin replied that everyone knows he doesn't pay attention to beautiful sights, in fact the type he likes is seldom seen in such an event, so if he was a judge, it is unlikely he would be able to select a a person.
