TVB Entertainment News

Hong Kong veteran actor, Liu Kai-chi (廖啟智), has passed away at the age of 66 on March 28 from stomach cancer. Liu Kai-chi’s management company announced the news of Liu Kai-chi’s passing to the public. He passed away at 8:30 pm at the hospital with his family by his side. Liu Kai-chi, who was warmly known as “Uncle Chi” in the entertainment industry, was reportedly diagnosed with stomach cancer last December. His illness was just made known to the public on March 22. Liu Kai-chi had revealed he was taking time off from work to condition his body and asked for some space from the media while he was resting.

“Uncle Chi’s” illustrious tv and film career spanned over 40 years since he started in 1979 at the 8th artists training program at TVB. It was there where he met his future wife and actress, Money Chan Man-yee (陳敏兒). After making the transition from television to film, Liu Kai-chi was nominated and won twice for best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the first in 1993 for “Cageman” (籠民), and the second time in 2009 for “Beast Stalker” (証人). Aside from tv and film, Liu Kai-chi also had a love for theatre and participated in various plays.

Liu Kai-chi and his wife have been married since 1987. They already began dating since their days as classmates at the TVB artists’ training program. Money Chan retired from acting to take care of their three sons. The couple lost their youngest son, 6 year old Liu Man-lok, in 2006 after a three year battle with leukemia. Money Chan had suffered from depression following their son’s death and had once contemplated suicide. This caused a rift between Money Chan and Liu Kai-chi’s relationship. On their 20th wedding anniversary in 2007, the couple decided to renew their vows at a church, all dressed up in wedding gowns.

As a devout Christian, even though it has been 15 years since their son’s passing, Liu Kai-chi revealed that he still talks to him everyday. Liu Kai-chi once blamed himself for not doing enough that led his son to get sick. He once said, “Every night I am used to helping my 3 sons cover their blankets. One time, I went to Lok Lok’s bed and I couldn’t cover it. I couldn’t accept it.” Liu Kai-chi also once revealed his ringtone was of his son singing and would keep that ringtone every time he changed phones. During his acceptance speech for best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Liu Kai-chi dedicated the award to him, saying, “Lok Lok, even though you’re not by my side today, but I know this award belongs to you and me.”

 

Zheng Shuang’s (郑爽) ex-boyfriend, Zhang Heng (张恒), dropped a bomb on January 18, revealing he had been staying in the US to take care of his two infant children. NetEase Entertainment then claims Zhang Heng’s friend had provided them with two alleged American birth certificates showing Zhang Heng and Zheng Shuang as the parents of a baby girl and a baby boy. The friend was also the one who provided pictures of Zhang Heng with his babies from birth to spending Christmas together. They also claim Zhang Heng is stuck in the US “because Zheng Shuang wouldn’t cooperate on many legal procedures”.

Last August, TVB executive, Virginia Lok (樂易玲), talked about wanting to reach out to Jacqueline Wong (黃心穎) to see if she was fit to return to work. However, Virginia Lok reserved judgment that she had to consider whether her comeback would be helping her or not. Last November, there were rumors TVB was going to terminate their contract with Jacqueline Wong. Neither party gave a definitive answer on the rumors.

Virginia Lok recently attended an event and was asked if she had been in contact with Jacqueline Wong lately. She revealed they’ve always been in contact and gave an update on Jacqueline Wong’s current status with TVB. She disclosed she had breakfast with Jacqueline last week. When asked about Jacqueline Wong’s current state of mind, Virginia Lok revealed she seemed okay, felt she was happier and saw that she was very fit. Virginia Lok said Jacqueline Wong had expressed her intentions to return to the front of the camera. She expressed, “She really said it this time. We discussed it a bit. She’s still so young and thinking about what kind of opportunities she has in the future.”

When asked if she would continue developing in this industry, Virginia Lok revealed they didn’t go too deep into discussing this matter as she didn’t want to give Jacqueline Wong added pressure. Virginia Lok said she asked Jacqueline Wong about her plans, whether she plans to stay in Hong Kong or in the entertainment industry. Jacqueline Wong told her she had to think it over.

Benjamin Yuen (袁偉豪), was recently awarded the “Most Popular New Artist” award at the J.S.G. Awards Presentation;(2020勁歌金曲2020總選). Netizens had recently criticized Benjamin Yuen’s appearance and said he has lost his looks. He had clapped back at netizens and at the award show, he said he had been quietly enduring the negative comments for the past three years, which led to his outburst.

The negative comments started when Benjamin Yuen and his wife, Bowie Cheung (張寶兒), attended the 2020 TVB Anniversary Awards together. Netizens said he had lost his looks after getting married and said he was looking like Wong Cho Lam (王祖藍) and Louis Yuen (阮兆祥).

So Benjamin Yuen responded to these comments and said, “Please continue to criticize me, continue to say I am eating “soft rice” (食軟飯), continue to say I am a gigolo, continue to say I am a freeloader, continue to say my acting sucks. Your negative comments will only make me continue to work harder and be a better person!” He explained that he has to film day and night so his body condition experiences a lot of waves. He said he is working hard to earn money to support the family and that getting old is very normal.

When Benjamin Yuen was interviewed after the awards show, he explained he had endured these criticisms for 3 years already. He said, “It feels like this issue is never ending. I already endured it for a long time. These netizens who criticize me are just a small portion. I didn’t even offend them, but hearing those cruel comments, it would accumulate a lot of negative energy. I don’t want to feel so wronged until I am uncomfortable and unhappy.”

 

Grace Wong (王君馨) uploaded a video and discussed about suffering from depression and bulimia nervosa previously on YouTube. She explained she was slammed by the audiences about her exaggerating responses in a food show. As a newcomer, Grace was clueless at handling it and was diagnosed with bulimia nervosa as a result. Grace said: “At the time, I weighed 12 to 13 pound heavier and was unaware of suffering from bulimia nervosa. I kept talking to myself and eating and could hear a voice asking me about eating lots of food, but it made me feel full after that. I felt guilty after eating a box of biscuit and threw it away immediately. Not everything is under my control but food is non-living thing which gives me full control.”

Subsequently, she became a religious person after MC Jin took her to a church: “Finally, there is a channel which removes my stress completely. An idol wishes to present his/her best show to the public and must look strong, presentable, successful and perfect. Hence, everyone tries his/her best and it is very stressful.” In fact, Grace had high expectations of herself and it was normal to suffer from pressure. She learned an English sentence that helped her: “You just try your best and let God do the rest. I believe God will use this sentence to help me upon feeling stressful and trying to be perfect.” Finally, Grace wished to use this video to convey a message: “When you realise you put in full efforts, you can be yourself, make mistakes and fail. You should learn to accept yourself and continue the journey. Thus, you must treat yourself nicer.”

 

ShermingYiu  (姚樂怡) recorded a video to expose hidden secrets in entertainment industry. She disclosed one actress was heavily groomed by TVB and looked unpleasant in her on-screen performances, due to offending a staff who was in-charge of lighting. Sherming emphasised it was important for artistes to maintain good relationships with hairstylists, film directors and employees who were responsible for lighting.

Sherming was reminded of requesting for a volume hairstyle as a newcomer but the hairstylist made it too loose and left in anger as a result. She said: “Once, I had to redraw my eyebrows in the toilet as was unhappy with the eyebrows drew by makeup artist. However, she discovered it and asked if I was dissatisfied with her skills. Hence, I will monitor makeup artist with better skills in makeup room and told them to apply for me, if they are free. Eventually, I understand makeup artists’ behaviours as they have to tolerate some artistes’ tempers.”

In addition, Sherming revealed one actress was heavily groomed by the company but offended many people: “In one scene, she had to take out the jewellery from the box and begun to scold a staff who set up the lighting too long. She suggested him to focus on her and noticed the lights made her looked too dark in several scenes.” Finally, Sherming pointed many artistes were afraid of film directors because of the rundown: “If the rundown is too long, my hunch tells me I might have offended film director.

 

88-year-old Lee Heung Kam (李香琴) passed away on 4th January. During an interview in Scoop (東張西望) show, her daughter, Siu Ji Wan (蕭紫筠) disclosed Heung Kam was diagnosed with dementia and mild Parkinson’s disease: “She has been taking medicine for the past 10 years. The doctor said she will become a forgetful person gradually and her condition worsens around a month ago. We hire a nurse and maid whom help her to take a shower, cut fingernails, eat medicine and paste this morning. Suddenly, Heung Kam stops eating it and falls asleep. We take her to the hospital and she has passed away when the doctor comes out after 15 minutes later. We dote on Heung Kam very much and feel very upset. I also console my friends and told them to take it easy, as Heung Kam passed away peacefully.” Finally, Heung Kam’s goddaughter, Jaime Chik (戚美珍) responded to the media: “Heung Kam went to the heaven! I will remember and miss her forever! Mother, I feel grateful that we know each other and please rest in peace.”

 

Ali Lee (李佳芯) and Danny Chan (陳炳銓) are dating together for several years. According to a news source, both are suspected to have conflicts and she has moved out from the flat at Sai Kung. On Instagram, Ali showed photo of fallen leaves and gave a hint: “No longer perfect! Anyway, it is over and let’s resume our peaceful days. Find myself back, remain brave, continue to believe and love. I do not need to be perfect and will continue my journey.” Subsequently, Danny liked the post and uploaded camping photo. It looks like he is unaffected by the news.

Roxanne Tong (湯洛雯)and Kenneth Ma (馬國明) have been constantly rumored to be getting married since they went public with their relationship last June. On December 30, their marriage rumors started again when the media said Roxanne Tong and Kenneth Ma were getting married in 2021 and were looking at properties for their love nest. The couple have repeatedly denied the rumors. However, this time, Roxanne Tong decided to play along with the media.

In response to the latest marriage rumors, Roxanne Tong uploaded an IG story and said, “Again?”. She uploaded another story and said, “Happy 2021!”. However, in the lower corner, she wrote, “Since you guys really want it, if, I am only saying, IF, he goes another round, then we’ll get married.” Roxanne Tong is referring to Kenneth Ma repeating his Best Actor win at the 2020 TVB Anniversary awards that airs on January 10, 2021.

Former TVB actress, Jess Sum (沈卓盈), left the company in Jan. 2019. Subsequently, she announced she got married to her rich boyfriend, Calvin, in March that year. Instead of being a stay home wife, she continued working and was recently seen in ViuTV’s “Iron Ladies”.

Instead of announcing it on Christmas like what a lot of people did, Jess Sum announced she was pregnant with her first child on the first day of 2021. Jess Sum wrote, “Stepping into a new year, I want to share our joy with everyone. We are becoming parents! Touching and feeling the baby in my belly everyday, this feeling is really wonderful and warm!”

 

On 26th December, Cecilia Cheung (張栢芝) was invited to a concert (FAN嚴選, 海心沙巨星演唱會) with other guests such as Wang Leehom (王力宏) and Wang Feng (汪峰). Based on the information, she sang Kinko Cheung’s (張麗瑾) song (留給最愛的說話) and her own song (星語星願), and received a high remuneration. Before singing, Cecilia explained she lost her voice and did not go for any rehearsal: “Thank you very much. It is better that I speak Mandarin. Thank you for your understanding."