Ekin Cheng Yee- KinNews -December 2006 |
December 1, 2006
Ekin has always been dedicated to his work in the entertainment circle. Although he has made many TV series and movies most people remember him for his portrayal of Chan Huo Nam in the Young and Dangerous series. In recent years Ekin's visibility has been less. Although his style of work has been low key, but his continuous traveling and his publicized breakup from former girlfriend Gigi Leung has kept his name in front of people.
In the past he had promised in front of the media to take care of Maggie Sui for life but later they broke up. Since that time he has learned to be clever, when dealing with the media, he will never again be totally honest with them about his feelings. Currently he is dating Yoyo Mung, however he is very closed concerning his feelings for her.
On December 2nd FoShan TV station will tell some never before known Ekin stories. The first story concerns Ekin's excessive activity. He likes to play and has been described as resembling a big kid. Ekin explained saying that when he was young the financial situation of his family was not good, so he didn't possess any toys. Now however I have the economic capability to buy whatever and as many electronic games as I wish. I consider this to be compensation for a childhood without such things.
Even though his family financial situation was not good they nevertheless gave him a feeling of simple peace and happiness. The family all together of course were content and satisfied. Ekin has often honestly said that his middle school years were the most agonizing, because his grades were not good. In addition I had to sit and not move. To sit the whole day in classes was like a punishment. I think I must have an "excessive activity disease". Now parents and teachers are able to show some understanding for children who are excessively active, but when I was at school the opinion then was that this child, me, was just to naughty to teach. So I only wanted to graduate and leave school as soon as possible so I could make money to help support the family.
The second story is when Ekin participated in the rising star singing contest. After he joined the TVB training course. Actually it was William So who inspired me. My classmates and I all unanimously agreed that we should try to emulate him. As a result ten of us take part in the singing competition. Finally even though I didn't win it allowed TVB to recognize me. They called me to come and try for a place on the training course. At first things didn't go well as he was in the ancient drama acrobatic fighting course. Despite not doing well he persisted for three months. Then he went to earn money at some other kind of work. Who knew that again the opportunity to join a training course would present itself. I decided to try again.
The third story concerns Ekin's love life. He laughs and says that even in kindergarten he liked a girl in his class, because she grew up to be very cute. Now mature, Ekin considers selecting a girlfriend inside is most important. His ideal wife would together with him enjoy activity. If I unexpectedly want to go outside travel it would be best if she could accompany me. Ekin considers marriage to be a sacred and romantic thing and in addition is the business of only two people so when he wants to do so he will go and do so. If need to prepare the whole year the ability to get married then it has no interest. In the past he publicly declared he would take care of Maggie Sui, to say this in front of so many people took a lot of courage and because of this a lot of people liked him. After they split up Ekin also found that many people loathed him. Ekin doesn't regret what he said because at that time he really did feel he wanted to stay with her for eternity. However finally this didn't happen.
Discussing his recent news Ekin talked about playing badminton with Yoyo Mung. Because we are teammates, each week we make an appointment to go and play badminton. It is a very common thing. I am merely concerned with what color badminton racquet to play with. Don't use develop feelings choice of words, actually with regard to my feelings in the past I have consistently been very honest. However now the media is too frightening, I don't want them to misrepresent my words and cause people near me to get hurt. I want to protect them and myself.
December 5, 2006
Jodan and Ekin have collaborated a number of times over the last ten years. Their first collaboration was in 1996 in the first of the Young and Dangerous series. They were both interviewed The Beijing News.
新京报: 1996 was the first time you collaborated?
Jordan: Correct, I was only 23 years old.
新京报: How do you feel the you have changed?
Ekin: He's still handsome, but a little fat.
Jordan: Still handsome but on the decline, yes or no?
新京报: What about Ekin?
Jordan: He is mature. He keeps every girlfriend a long time. This I want to study. I think we both don't have much contact in Hong Kong. Filming in Beijing, everyday we eat together. In Hong Kong it is unlikely in a year we will get together for a meal. Filming here our friendship has become closer and much wider. it is difficult to use language to explain this. If is a woman then..
新京报: You have known each other a long time, what is your deepest impression of each other.
Jordan: He swindles me. Swindle me to go to his record company. After the deception then he ran. He at the outset said, " That record company very good. I am also there!" I said " really" so I go there, then after two months he says, " I'm leaving, bye bye." I said " You're doing what?" he said "my contract is finished."
Ekin: After Jordan came in, my boss then no longer like me.
Jordan laughing: Contract finished, Ekin must want to leave, After he left.
Ekin in a low voice: Don't explain names, too sensitive ha! ha!
Jordan: Anyway is go to a Hong Kong very remarkable entertainment world kingdom. So this is how I was swindled.
Ekin: I didn't swindle you. You still had the chance to sing. I lost.
Jordan: You are just not singing that's all.
新京报: Ekin what is your deepest impression of Jordan.
Ekin: Jordan's mother just left that time I felt I myself resembled a family member leaving. I always remember that expression in his eyes. He is a very good son. There are a few unhappy things leave deep impressions. Then I also help his inability to cope, merely met him and with him said when you want talk with me can talk. These things are unforgettable.
新京报: Heavenly Mission just opened on the mainland. Our paper has investigated and finds that 70% of the audience think it compares with Young and Dangerous. Your acting skill has progressed.
Ekin: Very happy to hear others say I have progressed. I am not a clever actor, I merely do my best to do well in each thing take past experiences. I hope everyone can continue to support Hong Kong movies. We are movie actors, we have already walked a long way. Hope we can continue, because movies are our life.
新京报: You collaborated for a long time. is there a time when you haven't a unanimous opinion and argued.
Jordan: Recognize for many years haven't argued before. When opinions not the same then face to face explain. If I persist, he feels shouldn't this way I will definitely go and tell him he doesn't make sense. Then afterwards I will continue to insist on my opinion. Collaboration requires a give and take communication. If each has different opinion insisting on then not take any notice of reason. In that case it is impossible to accomplish anything. Regarding Ekin's opinion I really will think, we both are individuals but is not for the sake of rush to grab the scene is for the sake of having a good collaboration. There are a few actors who rush to grab the scene. This is not the kind of mentality you want. Ekin and I have never been like this. This scene is explain you, that give you, it doesn't matter.
新京报: After ten years now what are your plans?
Jordan: want to do behind the scenes work. I am interested in doing a stage drama. Also I am unlikely to give up TV dramas. If I have the chance then work as a director, that I also want to try.
Ekin: My ideas are very similar to Jordan's also hope can work behind the scenes. I hope actors can enjoy this job, seems like Jordan finds me playing games. A new game came, everybody together play. I have seen many actors from leading roles slowly change to supporting roles, finally become an average performer. This process I will gradually enjoy. I still hope to learn many things.
新京报: Recently were the movie awards have you thought of which category you want to win?
Jordan: I remember when I first began. My Shifu was one of the Yuan brothers. he told me that it was most important never to give up because one day it would be your turn. he told me about his father. He made many movies but it wasn't until he was was 80 years old when he worked on Jackie Chan's " Drunken Fist" it was only then that he finally got his award. I have always remembered his words. One day it will be your turn.
新京报: Regarding Ekin's new developing love affair, the media has pursued both of you relentlessly
Ekin: It seems that entertainment itself still has a lot of value. Your marriage write about possibly the audience will like. Hong Kong's entertainment circle changed a lot. There are many not so good things happen. When I do interviews I will tell myself merely one side give everyone to see. For example, the secret filming. I will tell the next generation about this kind of encounter, because then they may have a chance to sense this happening. Arbitrary taking pictures he wants to know that will from both sides see.
新京报: How do you deal with the Hong Kong media's style of reporting?
Ekin: It is merely the entertainment circle that is like this. People like to read about actors ugly side.
Jordan: Hong Kong is comparatively serious.
新京报: Then you use what methods to respond?
Ekin: I feel Jordan does this well. He confronts them, not their business, very honest. Possible there are some people who think he is rude to the media, but I think he handles them very well. He is indeed this kind of person. Jordan and I are the same. Actors work is to play a role, this is not equal to themselves. I confront things from two points of view: like with not like. If like, then I can casually explain, if I don't like, then I am unlikely to explain anything.
Jordan: I don't need to confront them. It's very simple. Just say, today you interview me. You ask me a question. I finish talking. The newspaper is published, I am unlikely to read because the writing is in your hands. See it do what? Hong Kong's 8 weekly magazine, I read, haven't any profit "Him and her are together" Who is who's partner? Ah! Really? my face is " Hm Hm" " ha! ha!" if I want to explain then I will directly say what is my relationship. Want to ask, then ask them not to involve my parents or friends.
Ten years before Young and Dangerous let us remember Chan Huo Nam and Sangai. Remember dyed hair, carry a bag holding knives, scolding words, young triad members.
Now Ekin steadily resembles Yuan Huo Jia, cautious, modest, think deeply, mature.
Jordan loudly talks, makes jokes, expresses himself through action.
This entire cover story has been a process. Ekin will sometimes use his arm or elbow to poke Jordan In a low voice tell him " Don't say this not want to explain."
My final question was that if the Hong Kong media is friendly was the mainland media even more friendly Jordan saying nothing just extended his hand, while Ekin still in his seat thought whether answer my question.
December 6, 2006
There are a number of children involved in the filming. They all think Ekin is the best and they requested a group photograph with him, of course he consented. Sitting next to Ekin is the young actor, Lu Ke, who will play Huo Yuan Jia as a child. The children play the students in the martial arts school.
Ekin and Ah Jia also filmed more scenes of martial arts on the banks of the Yellow River. Both of them continuously practiced with the fight directors to be able to correctly make the moves.
December 9, 2006
The children who play the parts of the martial arts students, and young Huo Yuan Jia, have now finished all their parts and are returning to school after successful filming. All of the actors and film staff all showed care for them and have warm feelings for them. Everyone wanted to thank them and wish them well.
The female lead Mu Yan compared with Ekin and Jordan is very young. She is still a student. She said she felt very luck to have been chosen for this role and have the chance to work with both Ekin and Jordan even though the pressure was very great.
December 10, 2006
Today Ekin in his capacity as a ambassador for the Neighborhood Association attended their 2006 Charity walk. This is his second year as ambassador for the Association. Ekin is busy filming the mainland drama Huo Yuanjia and only last night returned to Hong Kong in order to attend this event. He will be returning early tomorrow to continue with filming. Reporters wanted to know whether he would have time to see his girlfriend Yoyo Mung, Ekin said that he didn't even have time to see his family. Ekin said it was very cold in Beijing so he was seizing this chance to buy some cold weather clothes. Ekin said that filming would last until at least Chinese New Year. As to returning home for Christmas, he is hoping might be filming in Shanghai at that time, then perhaps can find time to fly home for a little while. Ekin signed autographs for some of his fans who are mentally challenged.
Reporters asked him his opinion of the recent incident concerning Yumiko. Ekin said . He had read the report. Because there is so much technology it is difficult to stop such a thing being posted on the internet. So you only have yourself to make good the accomplishment.
Regarding the break in at Niki's home Ekin heard about it from his manager. He feels that Hong Kong should be law abiding, although there were gray areas, but this was a moral question. He fails to understand the profit in injuring someone this way. At least Hong Kong has laws, and Niki will prosecute if the people can be found. Ekin sighed and said Hong Kong is a literate society, many people study very much, yet still these kind of things happen.
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December 17, 2006
Ekin has mentioned before that at the end of the year he plans to publish an autobiography. This would include the history of his three love interests. Naturally the public would follow these stories with interest, in addition when the time comes it will be interesting how he will release such a book. Ekin's love life has spanned fourteen years, seven years with Maggie Sui, seven years with Gigi Leung and most recently a few months with Yoyo Mung. In 1990 when the music circle was full of 夺面双琪 incident, Gigi became known as the 狐狸精 woman, and as a result her career took a nose dive. Because Ekin had in front of the media promised to take of Maggie all her life, he too was labeled 负心汉, with a resulting loss in his own career.
When Ekin and Gigi split at the beginning of the year, it was Gigi who seemed reluctant to leave the relationship. While Ekin on the other hand was clear that the relationship was over and would not be salvaged.
Feelings and careers change. While Ekin was with Maggie, it was his career that was on the rise. After the success of the Young and Dangerous series of movies, he was constantly busy. Maggie's career on the other hand maintained a quiet attitude, with decreased work and exposure. On the other hand during his time with Gigi the roles were reversed. Gigi worked hard and constantly, while this time it was Ekin who kept a low profile, with reduced work. Gradually their careers became different. Gigi is very different from Maggie, and she tried to make Ekin make more effort, which led to arguments, added to that was the continual gossip linking Ekin with various people he worked with. Inevitable then, that feelings changed and at the beginning of this year they split up.
Ekin's current relationship with Yoyo Mung seems to be acceptable to most people. Yoyo's career is on the rise. Her liaison with Ekin has given her even more publicity. This time Ekin has not received any critism to tarnish his reputation. An autobiography chronicling the various stages and memories of his life, however it is produced will be very interesting.
December 18, 2006
Huo Yuan Jia has been dramatized for 25 years and tomorrow there will be a celebratory get together event in Beijing. Since their roles in Young and Dangerous Ekin and Jordan have been good friends. Through good times and bad they have helped each other. They both acknowledge that the roles they have in the new Huo Yuan Jia drama are most desirable and they feel confident of the drama. The drama will use the same theme song and the original artists will attend to sing it in performance. Ekin and Jordan are expected to sing together 友情岁月 to commemorate their deep friendship. the event is expected to have a very nostalgic flavor.
December 19, 2006
New and old performers gathered in Beijing, performers from the both 1981 and the new 2006 TV drama's attended. The director said that the writings about Huo Yuan Jia had given them a lot of historical data and at times he has been almost moved to tears. For the sake of his new role of 霍元甲 Ekin shaved his head. The temperature in Beijing last night was about 6 degrees below zero The gathering was held in a public square however, despite the cold the crowd was enthusiastic. Jordan and Ekin both came out Ekin without a hat even though it was so cold. One person, though hindered by security, ran forward to put a hat on his head.
Ekin and Jordan performed 友情岁月, this melody is separated from now by 10 years. That Ekin and Jordan were chosen to play 霍元甲 and 陈真 was unexpected by many of the audience members. Many fail to see how playing Young and Dangerous can translate to playing a hero like 霍元甲. Ekin gave a direct reply, " The past's young and Dangerous also has a complete feeling of justice and righteousness, the biggest characteristic of 霍元甲 is also a righteous air. He specially cares for his siblings, Jordan and I also compare working together is good fun. Before we performed as brothers. This time perform as teacher and disciple. I am still able to control him, that's really good." Jordan added that he also had the same righteous feeling, and he was very happy to be collaborating with Ekin again.
The descendants of 霍元甲 also came to wish blessings on the new drama. Currently there is a lawsuit between the family and the movie starring Jet Li. However the family didn't wish to discuss it. however as the the TV dramas the family representative thanked them for creating a great image. In addition the family representatives felt that Ekin in costume really gave a correct appearance. they felt that even though Ekin had portrayed a triad in the past it really didn't matter because he now had the look of a martial arts hero. They confirmed that they were confident of Ekin's performance.
Thou most of the attentions was on the generations of male actors, the new female lead, who is still only a college student, Zhou Mu Yin was not forgotten. The audience shrieked when she appeared. However the former female lead Mi Xue didn't come on stage with her, perhaps because she didn't want the comparison. Mu Yin said that she felt honored to have been chosen to play with such actors. She also talked of Mi Xue saying that she had seen her performance and it left her with a very deep impression. Mi Xue said that she was young when she had played the role, now she didn't do much acting, however she would follow the drama with interest and help if she could.
Ekin expressed regret that the former performer of 霍元甲 could not attend. How ever he respected his senior who had decided to become a monk and live reclusively. Ekin however indicated although he carried Buddha in his heart he was unlikely after this drama was finished to immediately go and become a monk.
Finally the original singer once again sang the theme song 万里长城永不倒 both the old and the new performers joined in the chorus to thunderous applause.
December 20, 2006
Later last evening Ekin and his assistant went out to eat, he didn't wear a hat despite the cold night. It seems he is completely comfortable with this new shaved head appearance. In the restaurant it seemed that the other diners didn't recognize him. Ekin was in high spirits and very animated in the restaurant. He seems very confident in his role as Huo Yuan Jia. Ekin ordered a simple inexpensive egg and rice meal,and didn't drink much. It wasn't until he was leaving that he was recognized by fans, he happily allowed them to take a group photograph.
December 22, 2006
Ekin and Jordan within the last few days have been filming in the harsh cold of Beijing. Although Ekin said that during the day the temperature wasn't bad, but at about 4pm when the sun went down the air temperature dropped sharply. So then everyone needs to wear scarf and mittens in the evening . Asked how they keep warm, Ekin said they had originally planned to buy a stove but because it was electric they were afraid the generator capacity wouldn't be sufficient abandoned the idea. So Jordan and Ekin everyday by a big post of sugar water for everyone to drink to keep warm. Ekin said that the filming was endless, and then you couldn't wear a scarf or mittens while filming. He said that it was so cold at night it was difficult to know what to do. they asked him if he played video games while he waited, but he said "You don't understand it's too cold, have you ever tried to play a tape recorder in freezing temperatures."
Ekin said that if the rush to finish the film section before Christmas was successful he possibly could get 2 or 3 days vacation. Jordan will be leaving Beijing on the 23rd to attend an event in Guangzhou. Reporters asked him if Ekin and he would spend Christmas together. Jordan said, "Do you guess he would pass up his girlfriend to stay with me?"
Ekin indicated that he will be in Shanghai over Christmas to continue filming. His girlfriend Yoyo Mung however will also be starting work, so they will not be able to spend time together during the holidays. Jordan also said both of his hands were swollen. Yesterday he filmed fighting 10 Japanese. They used knives and stabbed me in the back of the hand he said.
