BOBBY: People can just be that frail. On the second night of Lunar New Year, I was having a good time and wanted to take a short nap, perhaps I ate too much during the new year and the food went into my lungs while I was sleeping that led to the pneumonia. When I gain conscious again, the doctor joked: "You were lucky Bobby, from all the ones who came into the ICU today, you were the only one we were able to rescue." I was fortunate to come back to this world, I was able to see again, but because of all the tubes connected to me, I couldn't talk or move. I communicated to the doctor with pen and paper; the first question I asked was whether I had a stroke? The doctor reassured me, he said it was acute pneumonia. Actually, at the time I didn't even know what that was, haha. After all, as long as I could move. What I feared most was getting a stroke.
I went through a difficult time in the ICU. When I was in a coma, I was aware and had feelings. It felt like the medical staff were moving me to the bed, and the doctor checked my eyes. I wanted to move, but couldn't. Luckily the rescue was quick. The doctor said if the rescuing had delayed, the brain could lose too much oxygen and become slugglish. While I was in the ICU, the machines were very loud. I asked the doctor if I could get a new room, but he said: "This is the ICU Bobby, where else do you want to go?" Its truly an once in a lifetime. At the time, I felt exhausted. I closed my eyes and went straight to sleep, but then I feared I wouldn't wake up. I had machines attached to me all over. Haha, the doctor mentioned the moment I woke up, I opened my eyes wide and stared. I'm all better now, the doctor said I probably did many good deeds and told me to keep it up.
After this incident, my wife and I have an even better relationship. I know my wife was very worried about me. When I was discharged, we just couldn't hold in our emotions. I never have to discuss with my wife, she has very high EQ and very sharp. She can explain something in a few words. Gave her everything -- home, car, diamonds... actually we are not about that kind of stuff. I gave my whole self to her, she handles everything. She had always been responsible for the household matters, I'm just responsible in signing the papers. I trust her the most. My views on life hasn't really changed much, still the same, cherish everyone around you. Not just my wife and family, but all friends and each person you encounter. In an unpleasant way, you have the present life but not the next life. Don't throw random tantrums. My temperament is not as good as what everyone thinks.
Esther is one of Bobby's Best Partners
When speaking of my good partner Esther Kwan, she always had that crave for acting. Before she had to look after her daugther, but now she's grown up a bit and even before we asked her to participate in Always and Ever, I asked Nick Cheung first. He supported her, and said Esther loves to work. If Nick said no, then we'll be in trouble. Its hard for us to find a ood partner. Can't be too old or young. Its difficult to communicate when someone holds their phone more than the script. Esther doesn't hold a phone, she holds onto the script.
My last series with Esther was Legendary of Four Aces, but there isn't much of a difference collaborating with her again this time. I maintained my standard NGing spree, haha. Of course, there is NG when there is expectations. Esther is one of my best partners. If you don't know her, you might think she's very strict. Ram Chiang said only I could handle her. All I do is just make her feel happy and chat with her. When she's waiting for the cameras to roll, she doesn't move at all, so nobody dares to provoke her. Esther said she's happier working with me than with Nick.
As for the TV ratings, as long as it reaches 30 points. The ratings for our time slot is normally lower than Triumph in the Skies II's time slot. When I go out for dinner, people tell me they're watching the series and the gags are really funny, its very "Bobby", but I'm afraid some gags might upset people because how would Justice Sung say such things, how could he speak so much English and all the silly expressions, I was afraid people will say I'm exaggerating. I had a chat with the editor about this and he said just go right ahead and do it. You know the audience nowadays are so picky. We must use the dialogue to package, just like the origin of "wai mo" and the line "You're Ram Chiang with a mustache", those lines I thought of on the spot. Comedies are done that way, must crash something out with your colleagues.
Grateful of Blessings, Pays Debt of Gratitude to TVB
I'm starting a new series in November. I personally like to work, never have I thought of retiring and enjoy the world. Retiring so early, I fear I won't have enough money to spend. Haha. Working is like leisure to me. Comparing work in China and Hong Kong, I would say I enjoy working in China more. I get 10 hours of rest, get enough sleep. In Hong Kong, even if I had 10 hours to rest, minus my commute home, I only get 8 hours. Let alone no time for rest. In China, they really give you sufficient time to rest.
TVB attracts me, purely to pay a debt of gratitude. One must be grateful of all their blessings. Honestly, if there wasn't TVB, there wouldn't be me. As for the terms, just as long as it follows the market values, then I'm fine. You won't pay me enough no matter what, as long as you have the heart. That's just the rules of the game in Hong Kong. After so many years, there is the recognition, the collaboration isn't about not being able to operate without someone. I'm happy to see the producers and my colleagues when I go back to TVB. In this industry, the income you get from TVB is the bottom line, it is the lowest index, but it depends on how you look at it. Once there is agreement on the terms, then that's how it is, can't complain. I just think of it like this, TVB helps me advertise and didn't charge me a fee, that's already really good. I should be the one paying them, hahaha! Of course there are other companies that want me to join them, Ricky Wong approached me before too, but at the time I still had a contract and that didn't work out.
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