Justvb | A moment with Just TVB on your mind

'The Seven Year Itch' curse troubles all couples. Back then love sparked between Bosco Wong and Myolie Wu when they were shooting War of In-Laws, in a blink of an eye, it has already been 7 years. This 'sister-brother love' was heavily criticized by the public in the beginning, but the fact is, the couple is more steady than ever and still going. Bosco is accomplished in both love and career, but he frankly expressed he still does not have any plans for marriage. He has just stepped into the peak of his career, so Bosco is not desperate or itching for marriage.

(Bosco speaking...)

I have always hoped to keep my love life low-profile and maintaining this state feels quite good. All along, relationships is between two people, so I don't want to make it so clear.

The '7 year itch' has never worried me because I have my own philosophy. Honestly speaking, the 'itch' can come anytime whenever desired. Don't necessarily have to wait 7 years to start itching. It's just when I face rumors, I get a head full of itches, haha! However, rumors are inevitable. Many times, after I read about the rumors, I just take it as a joke, but now I'm used to seeing rumors once a new series starts. Just like when Lives of Omission broadcast, there were rumors between Kate Tsui and I. Luckily, I am open-minded. Actually, as long as you don't care about the [rumors], it cannot bother you. I just care about my own work.

Some people say that in a certain point in life, people must get married in order to maintain a relationship, but in fact just as long as two people are happy, that is enough. Don't need to deliberately do anything. Just look at Tony Leung and Carina Lau, they dated for so long and just got married recently. I personally feel that marriage is a lot about timing. Perhaps its just a moment of thought, but now both parties give enough space to each other... I don't know how to describe this, but it's just feels comfortable. Perhaps it can be put this way, both parties do not have any expectations on the other.

At this moment, I have no plans for marriage. In the past when I was younger, I hoped to be married by age 30, but now I'm already 30 and I don't feel anything. Perhaps I have too much to do. There really is a lot of planning involved when thinking about marriage and having children. It's just like I have high expectations on the home I live in, my dream house is living in a pent house, which is really expensive. I'm also a little extreme, I want to make my house really pretty.

Regarding my future family life, I have a small blueprint. I hope to be like 3 Gor (Michael Miu). He's married with a son and daughter, has his own business and shoot a few series once and a while to satisfy is craving. You have to put in the time to take care of a small business, at least you have to have the ability to take off several months to just look after the [business], but having been in this industry for so long, I am convinced that there is such thing as good luck. You cannot predict time, if no one asked me to shoot series/movies, no matter how hard working I am or how much I strive, it would be useless.

I have always been doing a wide range of investments, like buying gold, homes, blue-chips, these are stabled and no need to look after. My mom is retiring soon, so I opened a small eye-glass business for her, so she can have something to do after retirement.

I have always wanted to open a restaurant in HK, but the rent in HK is just too frightening, so I decided to open one with a friend in Ipoh, Malaysia. Just another gift to my mother, I'll just go visit once and a while. The restaurant has its own live band, I invested about 7 figures into this business and it's currently under renovation. This should be the largest restaurant in Malaysia, about 8,000 square feet for an average rent, haha. I don't even know if I could rent a 3,000 square feet in HK with this sum of money.

TVB new series Curse of the Royal Harem will have a 2 hour premiere tonight (Oct 31st). Yesterday afternoon, the cast and crew gathered together to promote the series. At the promotion, the best features of the series were shown. In the series, Myolie Wu and Jessica Hsuan engages in a heart scheming fight for power in the palace. The two chances to take the TV Queen title is going to be high. Jessica expressed there is a realistic scene where she gets slapped by Myolie. She said: "In fact, the scene was shot at an angle, but with the addition of sound effects, the results really looks real. Myolie actually had greater pressure than I did because she was worried she might hurt me." Jessica said she has great confidence for Curse because the script is excellent. She hopes the premiere ratings could get over 30 points.

After watching her own performance in the best features clip, Jessica only gave herself 50% because she rarely does dramas set in the palace, so she is inexperienced. She said: "Watching the clip, I felt there was a lot of places I could improve on, my acting could have been better. It is a small issue that only I know, audience may not be aware." When speaking of Jessica's TVB contract that expired in September, she expressed she is still discussing. She will soon be heading over to Mainland to shoot a modern drama. When speaking of her love life, Jessica laughed and said she will have to wait until next year when she has better fate before she starts thinking. Since she's single now, she will concentrate on her work.

Portraying the Empress, Myolie frankly said it's a rare chance that she gets a villain role, but this also brought her pressure. She said: "Even the event today has given me a lot of pressure. Last night I couldn't sleep. (How would you rate yourself?) I don't dare to, in fact I am very worried because the role is not too likable. I'm worried audience might not like it, so I hope audience will understand why my role does the bad things she does." Myolie expressed after the series broadcast, the will definitely be different comments, so she won't deliberately try to avoid anything, but instead accept all comments. Myolie feels she still has room for improvement, she feels she can be even more evil, but her experience from this performance was truly valuable to her. When reporters teased she and rumored boyfriend Bosco Wong both played villains? Myolie laughed: "So What?"

Tavia Yeung, Wong He and Judy Tsang attended the One Victory real estate ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. Tavia exposed she has her eyes on one of the units that is nearly 1,000 square feet. This special unit is valued at HK$20 million. Tavia laughed and said she hopes to get a discount from the real estate development company: "Currency nowadays do not hold much value, of course need to buy the 'brick'!" Tavia claims she has a 'property saving' addiction and joked she will have to ask TVB to give her a pay raise, so she can be 'promoted' to a landlady. When speaking of this year's TV Queen battle between Myolie Wu and Fala Chen, Tavia did not hesitate to say she already voted for herself: "It is fine whoever wins, the most important is to be beautiful!"

As for Wong He, who is currently developing in Mainland, expressed he is going to save up to buy this special unit within 2 years: "I won't ask for a discount, I have my capability." However, he declined to compare Mainland and TVB's salaries. As for the rumors that Charmaine Sheh is taking the lead in helping with the poach and was accused of being a traitor, Wong He supported her and said it's normal to switch companies and there should not be any speculation of 'betrayal'.

 

Michael Tse, Francis Ng, Miss HK 2011 Rebecca Zhu, Kate Tsui, Janice Man, and MC Jin attended new film Laughing Gor: Turning Point 2 opening ceremony yesterday. Rebecca is already receiving TVB's special treatment, by giving her the lead role in the film. She will be portraying Francis' girlfriend. It's no wonder, yesterday she was the center of focus when she was introduced out on stage. Francis expressed he does not mind leading the new blood and felt it's a normal thing, pass on down generation after generation.

Shooting Laughing Gor again, how much is he paid? Francis said: "How would TVB treat me poorly, I got a raise. Miss Lok is very extravagant when she makes her move." Francis claimed his role can be played by no other in the moviedom. He said: "In the film, I play a highly intelligent criminal, you have to have the look to do this. Looking around the entire moviedom, no other looks right."

This is Rebecca's first time in a film, she expressed she does have pressure, but will do it at all cost and hope everyone understands. Prior to the shoot, she will familiarize herself with the script. When asked if Michael will be leading newcomer Rebecca? He said: "There are many seniors leading her, actually I think I might need a senior to lead me as well." Michael expressed he anticipates the collaboration with Rebecca and hopes to see her break the female lead 'must die' fate.

 

Michael reveals he will be involved in a love triangle with Francis and Rebecca. He will also be playing battle of the wits with Chapman and Francis in jail. When asked if TVB is heavily promoting him to become the next TV King? He said this year his 'report card' is not too bad, so he does have confidence.

Yesterday Ron Ng and Kate Tsui were in Sha Tin for the Calvin Klein store opening ceremony. Ron didn't allow the female stars to steal all the light as he was dressed in a very deep V suit, showing off his 'true chest'. Compared to Kate, Ron was so much more sexier, 'killing' his group of See Lai (housewives) fans. Ron laughed: "Forget the dress shirt, let me just come today in a Deep V!" Kate teased Ron, saying he has to take safety measures to prevent exposure.

It was said Johnnie To ridiculed Kate that she's done plastic surgery. Kate stressed she never done plastic surgery before and is very satisfied with her current look. If necessary, in the future she will consider it. She said: "I was slandered, he was just saying I look more like a big girl now. I have to treat To Sir (Johnnie To) for a meal and say sorry. Really caused trouble for him this time."

Jessica Hsuan, Myolie Wu, Sunny Chan and the rest of the cast to TVB anniversary series Curse of the Royal Harem attended the promotional event in their ancient costumes. The cast made a special trip to Lantau Island to pray at the temple there. After Jessica's TVB contract expired, she has been busy working in Mainland. When speaking of the TVB poaching crisis, are the terms for contract renewal a lot better? She smiled: "Better than before, but I haven't decided whether to stay or leave." Asked if Ricky Wong contacted her before? Jessica smiled and did not answer. Later, she said: "All based on how I'm feeling, not confirmed."

Jessica expressed she supports Myolie Wu for TV Queen this year, she said: "Myolie really did well in Curse of the Royal Harem, very hardworking and serious towards her work. Actually I feel guilty because I wasn't serious enough. I rarely shoot costume dramas, so I had a lot of words I didn't understand and had to ask others. Luckily, everyone was willing to help me."

As one of the hot favorites for TV Queen, Myolie felt really pressured. She said: "I am so nervous, shouldn't think too much!" First time playing a villian, Myolie claimed she wasn't evil enough: "Perhaps I look too well-behaved." However, she said the storyline is brilliant and compact. She anticipates 30 points TV ratings on the premiere.

Together Wong Cho Lam, Louis Yuen, Johnson Lee makes up the group "Fuk Luk Sau" (The Gods) and since the group was formed, they are known as the number 1 imitators. Aside for TV show and films, TVB made their series Super Snoops as one of this year's anniversary series. The latest update for The Gods is they will be holding a Hong Kong Coliseum concert during the Lunar New Year holiday in February next year. As last year's concert only had 7,500 seats, this time they will be opening up all four stages in HK Coliseum to entertain 14,000 audience. Although tentatively set for only 1 show, The Gods still felt pressure. However, with a chance in life to hold a HK Coliseum concert, even if they were just holding half a show, they will still be happy.

The Gods already called Liza Wang to invite her as a guest, but unfortunately Liza is very busy next year and also she doesn't like repeating events, so she declined to the offer. They laughed: "This time we won't have an 'adult' to watch over us, I'm scared!"

They expressed to keep 'The Gods', they decided to devote their loyalty to TVB: "If there was no TVB, then there would not be The Gods. We hope we can follow Super Trio and Lydia Shum's footsteps. We want to be Hong Kong's Happy Fruit. Of course, we have to find a TV station to represent HK, and TVB gave us this opportunity to develop, so we will not leave them." When speaking of the pay raise? Cho Lam said: "Congrats to all those colleagues that got a raise. My greatest raise is actually all the outside jobs TVB found for me, such as movies and advertisements. This is where I earn the most." Aside from earning money in TVB, asked if his other greatest earn was girlfriend Leanne Li? He laughed: "We will have to ask her. Perhaps she thinks it's a loss!"

Super Snoops has been well received by audience since it's broadcast. The Gods joked and said the greatest response is also the most terrifying: "Even kids can sing and dance to the sub theme Foolishly Going to Buy Noodles (戇戇居居去買麵). We really should consider starting a children's show, perhaps call it The Gods Fax Machine or The Gods School's Out." Do they hope TVB will give them an award as a group? The Gods felt: "That feels too deliberate. Each year we attend the awards ceremony not because of the awards, but because it is important that the show goes well. We might not remember who won what awards in what year, but when asked of the funniest year or the most playful year, we will definitely remember. Why not, we just present the group award to the team of Executives!"

TVB FaDan and Siu Sangs are gradually going up north (Mainland) to develop their careers, which leaves TVB in a bad situation. TVB is starting their plan to seek external assistance in order to fix the situation. In November, producer Nelson Cheung will be starting a new series The Ambitious Policewoman (TAP) (tentative). Initially, the idea was to pair Anita Yuen and Michael Tse up and they can lead the next generation of FaDans, Siu Sangs and the new blood. However, due to Anita's schedule conflicts, TVB invited Niki Chow to replace her role. Anita's policewoman role was tailored for her, but will now have to undergo great changes to fit Niki's character.

Producer Nelson Cheung said The Ambitious Policewoman is actually the police version of TVB's 2010 series Beauty Knows No Pain. The series explores how a policewoman views different perspectives and experiences of modern women in today's society.

Nelson strongly invited Anita to participate in TAP, but despite Anita's interest for the role, ultimately she was unable to make time in her schedule. Niki Chow will replace her as the female lead. Nelson said Anita and Niki's styles are completely different, so when Niki accepts the series, the script will have to go through great changes and tailor the role for Niki. As for male lead, Michael Tse, he will be busy shooting new film Laughing Gor: Potential Criminal, which means he has a tight schedule, but his chances to shoot TAP is high. When the time comes, it will sure be a difficult period for him.

Nelson said TAP is a comedy that will incorporate issues of modern women in the workforce and their lifestyles through police cases. Niki has the 'audience fate' and gives off a refreshing feeling in her appearance on TV, therefore she is qualified for the role. As far as Niki's concern, this is her first time portraying a policewoman, a stylish and cool policewoman. Her pairing with Michael Tse will be a refreshing one. Niki rises to the 'Ah Jeh' level, where she will be responsible to lead her subordinates William Chak and Matthew Ko. Their roles will also have great room for development, they are 'the second tier', hoping to leave a deep impression on audience.

On November 1st, Steven Ma will be joining the crew for Mainland drama Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder, but before he takes off there are still many issues unsettled. Aside from shooting TVB new series Prosperous Father, he still has to talk to TVB about terminating his contract early. He hopes to settle the issue by next weekend.

The October 28th Deadline

 

Steven's TVB contract initially expires in June next year, but because there are issues with the work under TVB management, he wants to terminate his contact early. The issue has been troubling for months now. Earlier TVB executive Virgina Lok questioned if Steven was whining before the TVB Anniversary Awards approaches, which makes people wonder if Steven is really 'fussing' for an award.

Yesterday Steven was shooting on the street for Prosperous Father with Linda Chung. Steven clarified he is not terminating his contact because he wants an award and further clarified his position that he doesn't want to be TVB King: "This morning, I discussed my contract termination with TVB. (What do you want TVB to give you?) Whatever it is, I definitely don't want an award, I don't want any awards. (If TVB shows their sincerity and gives the 'TV King' award to you?) No that's ok!" Although both sides are on a deadlock, Steven expressed he hopes TVB can give him new direction before October 28th. He laughed: "This year I don't want TV King, but that does not mean I have no chance to get it!"

 

Yesterday shooting on location, Steven plays a taxi driver who was held hostage by a criminal and policewoman Linda comes to his rescue. At the time, school was out, so there were many student onlookers and residents surrounding them for autographs. Linda expressed she is very happy that TVB and Big 4 settled the royalty dispute. She hopes to concentrate on singing next year: "Of course this is good news, more singers can come back on TVB and we will have more opportunity to collaborate with them. I can learn more from them too. (Who do you want to collaborate with?) Hins Cheung, Eason Chan!"

TVB artists and staff are being poached by City Telecom's Ricky Wong. According to sources, TVB's managing director Mark Lee and general manager Stephen Chan takes action through their new plan, where they personally try to persuade and provide professional legal advice in hope the staff will reconsider. Their sincerity has touched the hearts of many TVB old timers.

Also, yesterday each staff had one-on-ones with their department manager, to discuss a 20-50% pay raise. Many of the staff who planned to sign with Ricky Wong decided to stay. Looks like there is a turn around in the poaching crisis! Regarding the 'Stephen-Mark Plan', Ricky Wong declined to comment, and was only willing to say: "Up until now, I don't see anything that is influential."

It was said Stephen Chan personally met with the staff who signed with Ricky Wong. TVB Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs, Tsang Sing Ming, expressed TVB is just trying to provide professional legal advice, he said: "We are just providing professional legal advice and provide the necessary assistance because after all some of our staff did sign a contract with another company. TVB is just providing small legal advice to them. During this period, whether if it's Mr. Stephen Chan or Mr. Mark Lee, have talked to many colleagues of different hierarchy and departments. They have also successfully kept many of the staff, the majority of them planned to stay and do not plan to leave."

Decides to shoot in Hengdian

Also, Ricky Wong is planning on investing great amount of resources and talents in order to produce high quality dramas. It has always been said TVB is unwilling to invest the money in their productions, but this time for War and Beauty 2, TVB plans to shoot in Beijing and for the grand production The Great Eunuch later this year, TVB already planned to shoot in Hengdian in February. Compared to the usual series, this time TVB is investing 40% more resources. Producer Law Wing Kin said frankly Wayne Lai will play The Great Eunuch, while Maggie Cheung will play Empress Dowager Cixi (Chee Hei). The other cast includes heavily promoted Ruco Chan and Raymond Wong, both will play eunuchs.

Wayne praised Maggie Cheung's momentum to be Empress Dowager Cixi: "She is beautiful in costume dramas, very suitable role for her. (Earn more with her as a couple team?) Of course I hope to! We are in on this together." As Maggie's contract with TVB ends later this year, she expressed she will have to wait until her manager finishes the discussions before she decides: "It is a great challenge being Empress Dowager Cixi. I hope we will be able to collaborate." Ruco expressed he is very happy to be able to participate.

Sheren Tang wants a new partner, bored with Wayne Lai

TV Queen Sheren Tang attended the Watson's Health & Beauty Awards 2011. She reveals she is currently discussing a new series in Mainland and if all goes smoothly, she will be leaving HK in November to start shooting the series. At the time, she won't be able to participate in the TVB Anniversary. She said: "I actually rarely participate in the anniversaries. (Do you feel the TV Industry has recently been a huge mess?) I don't care. I usually place myself in other matters, so I don't think this is related to me. (Did you received a poach call?) I don't know, you need to ask my manager. I'm not just about the money when I work, I also want a good role like Jewels in the Palace. A role that can encourage the youth and people in difficulty. Giving back to the audience is much more meaningful."

Sheren laughed and said a good role does not necessarily have to be with old partner Wayne Lai. She said: "Let's change partners! Leave those earth-shattering love stories for Wayne."

We are seeing less and less TVB FaDans and in reaction to this, TVB executives have already started promoting the second line of FaDans. Kate Tsui was fortunate to be one of the heavily promoted actresses this year. The year hasn't even ended yet and she has already had 5 series broadcast, her exposure rate is over the top. However, behind the success, Kate's health is getting worse by the day.

Kate has been a police officer 5 times already, this time in new series Forensic Heroes III, she is finally promoted to OCTB's Senior Inspector. Kate laughed and said the crew would shoot on the mountain top so often, there was a time she thought she was shooting a costume drama instead. However, at the time she was shooting two series simultaneously, so on camera she may look hot, but off cameras, she was suffering from illnesses. Kate said: "From the start, I already had a waist injury, the doctor said the disk on my lower backbone was shifting. I didn't even know I had an accident and along with my old injuries, I had to go get acupuncture. It was a very difficult period for me. The makeup room is far from the studio, there was a time I had to crawl my way and with heels on too!"

When her condition on the waist was getting better, she falls ill again and gets a hoarse voice. Since she cannot drag on the filming progress, Kate took her hoarse voice with her and continued to shoot. Fortunately her good partner Ron Ng was willing to help her with her lines. She laughed: "He really is a good buddy. He saw how I had a man voice and getting off tune when I talked, although he did laugh at me, but he still went to discuss with the director about accommodations for me, so I don't have to talk as much. So, viewers out there if you happen to catch this part, please forgive me."

Kate has collaborated with Ron numerous times and off the back they just have too much chemistry. It does not take long for them to complete a scene, but the playful Ron still loves to tease her.