TVB Entertainment News

Florence Kwok (郭少芸) accepted an interview from radio station and when asked about the artiste who she wished to start business together, she replied her good friend, Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼): "We have knowledge, good foresight, hardworking and do everything personally. (But she does not have any business experience?) It does not matter and experienced person will reject me. Thus, it is my turn to reject her."

In addition, Florence disclosed about a frightening experience when filming series previously: "Once, I went to Kowloon Peak for filming at night and it was very foggy. I saw 4 people watching me filming and the director told me to walk over there. I asked him if he saw 4 people over there and the director replied yes. It turned out to be a false alarm."

Nowadays, many artistes are entrepreneurs and Florence Kwok (郭少芸) is one of them. On Weibo, Florence announced that her restaurant will be closed this month end, 30th August, and expressed her gratitude to her friends' supports. She said: "The memories here will be in my heart forever. Thank you to Adrian for helping in matchtoo cafe and all customers who support matchtoo as well. Thank you very much for all support given and 'easy kitchen' is not easy indeed! 30/8 , count down ing"

TVB sitcom Come Home Love cast members Chris Lai, Queenie Chu, Lau Dan, Florence Kwok and Joey Law attended the promotional event yesterday. It was announced that there will be another 120 episodes added to the sitcom (initially 180 episodes), making it a grand total of 300 episodes.

It was reported Florence Kwok has been 'seeing' Joey Law, but Florence laughed loudly when she heard about the rumor: "It's a 42 year old with a 24 year old, that feels like 'Arabian Nights', such a joke! But, I really do love him, he's so well-behaved. You all shouldn't have too many delusions, and I'm sure he's never been delusional either. I'm not some young lady (referring to Joey's ex-girlfriend Christine Kuo) , so I'm definitely going to be fine!"

Joey also laughed and denied the rumor. He expressed Florence is a very good person and when he finds something he doesn't understand at work, she's willing to give him advice. As for the pictures published on the report, it was when he conveniently dropped Florence home.

Earlier it was said Queenie was going around teaching her co-stars how to act, and even badmouthed TVB executive Catherine Tsang. Did she tear up because she felt wronged? Queenie said: "No, just I'm going through a lot of stress. I'm worried I won't do a good job and there are all these negative news. I just felt very emotional because my colleagues and the executives have given me a lot of encouragement. It's an emotional feeling knowing how much love they have for me, and that's why I teared up."

It was rumored Chris was one of the artists Queenie tried to teach, but Chris thinks it's good when colleagues discuss about the work, giving advice mutually. However misunderstanding that she's trying to teach others how to act is not too good. He said: "Queenie had too many negative reports before, we should all give her a chance. She's been very hard working all along and perhaps put too much pressure on herself."

When speaking of good friend Yoyo Mung finally marrying boyfriend Ekin Cheng next year? Chris said: "Congrats! Congrats! They really match, most important is they have common interests. Yoyo thinks of Ekin as her family, it's about time they move on to another stage in life."

Start loving TVB sitcom Come Home Love because there's enough madness in it. There is no age boundary for the madness, 53 year old Yvonne Lam can still pair up with 37 year old Tsui Wing; 70 year old Lau Dan can have a 42 year old sister Florence Kwok.

Florence: "That's not even that ridiculous, later in King Maker, I'm going to Chris Lai's mother! I was so upset, each day when I see him, I get upset, 'you bad boy, your not that much younger than me, and want me to be your mother...'"

Of course, Florence is just joking. Even if in this sitcom, she plays the youngest aunt, and in the next series she plays the Emperor's mother, what's better than continuous exposure on TV? We still haven't even counted the previous series she was in No Good Either Way, Gloves Come Off and 4 in Love.

"This year, it's seriously abnormal, viewers won't have a good day until 2013!" Florence laughed boldly.

She once left TVB for 4 years, but then seeing the changes in the market, she finally made her way back to her old home. Her acting skills were accumulated through all her years and experience in the industry. She unconsciously became a companion to audience over the last many years, that is truly the highest state.

"If I didn't go through it, I really didn't know I actually really love acting."

Relax, Hong Kong people, we never really had any good days anyway, I rather let Florence Kwok brainwash me. Almost forgot, it turns out Florence started out as a Miss Hong Kong too. That happened back in 1992, exactly 20 years ago.

Never Dreamed of becoming a Star

"I never dreamed of becoming a star! If I did, I would have gone to participate in Miss HK at age 18, but I was already 23 when I ran for Miss HK. I was almost overage!"

Florence was initially a white collar worker at an upscale law firm in Central, her Western boss hired her as a secretary. She worked Monday through Fridays and had 3 weeks vacation. According to her, the job was well-paid and had good benefits.

"I was totally Queen Jeh's (O.L Supreme, Liza Wang's role) younger version! With my looks, the White men fall into it."

One day Florence was out shopping, when a modeling company spotted her, the recruiter urged her to go for Miss HK, she foolishly just went along with it. Before she left, she told the boss: "I'll be back." Results, it was a path of no return.

"When handling situations, I'm a person that just makes a decision and won't look back."

Back then, the Miss HK winner was Hacken Lee's wife, Emily Lo. Florence is the only one left in showbiz today. She's lucky, after Miss HK, she was just standing around for three years in The Kindred Spirit. Soon after she was casted in several series including Time Before Time, Feminine Masculinity (Mr. Diana) and Colorful Life. She had a stable seat in the second female leading roles.

"Did you know that the sitcom Virtues of Harmony was developed from Colorful Life? Bondy Chiu's role was suppose to be mine."

Colorful Life was broadcast during the Lunar New Year of 2001, it was very popular, viewers loved watching Florence and Cutie Mui's bickering scenes. Who would have known Florence later withdrew from the 800 episode sitcom Virtues of Harmony, otherwise her destiny would have been written differently.

"I already ate the fatty pork, but then I had to throw it all back up because I suddenly pulled the emergency crisis switch. At the time, I was 32 years old, I believed besides acting, I didn't know anything else. I felt unsecured, is my life just gonna be like this? What happens when I get old? Be a Gigi Wong? Then when I get even older, then what? Be a Ha Ping jeh? I'm not saying they aren't good, but I was afraid viewers didn't want to watch Florence Kwok anymore. If I didn't leave at 32, then I wouldn't have the courage to leave at all when I'm 42. By then, will I leave showbiz and then start looking for a job, asking people to 'give me a chance'?"

Gave Up Acting Career

Florence has the nerves to do things quick and fierce. As she said, once she makes the decision, she will not look back on it. She gave up her acting career, and went to work at her sister's manufacturing company as an account manager, starting from fresh.

"My clients saw a celebrity greeting them, at first they were really excited, but after a few words, they thought I was a joke. I don't think my acting was that bad, I could come up with something to say right? But dang! When the client asked me 10 questions, I answered all 10 questions with 'I'll go back to check and then give you a reply.' They knew I had no skills!"

Fortunately her boss was just her own sister, and can tolerate the 32 year old Florence starting from the bottom.

"One time we were doing an undergarment photo shoot, I was responsible in putting together the run down. Wah! I had a headache, do we shoot first or do the lighting first? Or do we choose the bra colors first? You know, changing models over and over again is troublesome..."

Learning from experience, Florence then realized, she was actually in happiness back in showbiz.

"In the past when I was acting, whenever I wasn't satisfied, I would just shout for the PA: 'Why do I have to wait until 7pm, after completing the 1pm shoot? Then I have to wait until 12am again?" But I didn't know that the PA actually spent hours and great efforts into making the schedule for me. I wasn't the only person in the company! When I was working at the manufacturing company, I first went to meet with clients, then helped models put on shoes and I even took the trash out. I just felt Heaven gave me an opportunity to see another side of things, so I could really get it straight."

After working at her sister's company for a few years, she opened a restaurant with her sister and brother-in-law. Her objective was: "What people do, I don't do. Slaughter out a new bloody path." Florence opened a lamb-specialized restaurant in Causeway Bay. Then the SARS came along, and resulted in a true 'bloody path'.

"Such PK, we were just staring at each other. Conclusion was: 'Finally know why others don't do it!' I just didn't feel good."

Realizes Love For Acting

After leaving TVB for 4 years, she experienced the blood, wind and rain out in the business world and definitely got a different view of things. The greatest reward she got was, she realized what she really loved.

"After my few years in the business world, it was the time when War and Beauty was the most popular hit. I always imagined myself, who would I have been? Perhaps Maggie Cheung's role? But I'm not arrogant or pretty enough...why am I still dreaming? It's because I still really liked acting!"

In 2005, Florence guest starred in Dance of Passion and made her official comeback.

"Although I really lost a lot of money in the businesses, but deep down, I really didn't regret it. I have a boarder view of things, I gained experience that money can't buy. If I didn't go out to see the other side of the world, I think I would still be the old arrogant and inconsiderate Florence Kwok. I dare to say, I treat the PAs a lot better now."

Seeing Florence now, whether in sitcoms or series, she's quite appropriate, if she needs to be strong, then she's strong, if she needs to be funny, then she knows to let herself go.

"When I was in the 'gaming world' back then, no matter if its shoes or shui mai, I could really talk about anything. One time Jonathan Chik scolded me: 'Can you please focus?' And I didn't even know I was wrong: 'Cheh, as long as when you call 3, 2, 1 and I can start acting, it's all good!' Jonathan said: 'Look at Bowie Lam, he doesn't just wait for the 3, 2, 1. He's in the right state of mind all day long!" I suddenly woke up, since I know I love acting, and I'm really happy going to work every day, so why not do my best? I can say now, I am much more concentrated into my acting than before."

Not Hungry or Thirsty for Love

Florence is turning 43 in August, "I've been single for many years. That's not sarcasm. I'm really used to it. When I had the flu earlier, I drove myself to the doctor, it's no problem. I don't mind having a boyfriend, but I'm definitely not hungry or thirsty for one."

As everyone knows, Florence has been in two relationships. The first was in The Kindred Spirit, she was with married man Lau Siu Kwan.

"Back then I was young, I couldn't get out of my character. Now, it's different. In Gloves Come Off, I really loved Kenny Wong, but I know how to get out of it. Today, if you ask me again, anyone who comes near me and has a wife, I would tell them to go home and sleep."

The second relationship was with TVB scriptwriter 'tall man' Chung Kwok Keung. The two dated 4 years before breaking up. "We are still good friends, but can't get back together. If I'm going to think about that, why not just move into the future. I don't look back."

She likes humorous men because she's afraid of being bored the most: "Just like Bobby (Au Yeung), pretty good. Even if it's Louis Yuen, he's okay too, but his gags are a little too rotten."

Yesterday morning, TVB new sitcom Love . Return Home producer Tsui Yu On led the cast out for the first day of shooting in Macau. The first scene was about Florence Kwok spotting her boyfriend Matthew Ko and Angie Mak at a clothing store. Then the next scene was about Florence knocking down a bucket full of rancid water and the whole thing falls on her. The rancid water was a special creation by the crew, it had veggies, tomatoes, bananas and other foods. It look very much like a real bucket of rancid. When Florence saw the bucket, she had a pretty frightened expression on her face.

Then, Florence rehearsed her falling scene and shot several different camera angles. When it was actually time to shoot the scene, she was able to do it successfully in one take. She sat on the ground and allowed the rancid water to cover her all over.

In the sitcom, Matthew plays a professional photographer that has to go back and forth between Hong Kong and Australia, so he's often telling lies to Florence's role that he's in Australia. However, she accidentally bumps into him cheating in Macau. Matthew expressed there's often these two-timer situations in reality, it has happened incessantly with his friends. He stressed that it is wrong, but directly admits a similar case happened to him before: "If there is an issue in the relationship with girlfriend and feel its unreasonable, then shouldn't let it drag. If handled inappropriately, then a problem can easily arise. I will remind myself, must end a relationship before starting a new one."

The new season of [Super Trio] hosted by Eric Tsang, Chin Ka Lok and Elvina Kong was recording for the first episode and invited Michael Tse, Joyce Cheng, Florence Kwok, Edwin Siu and other guests. During the "burst balloon" and "sit on balloon" games, the guests had to put pressure on the balloon so it can pop. For the "sit on ballon" game, the male guest has to put the balloon in between his thighs and have the female guest sit on top to pop it. However, the guests were all playing and revealed painful expressions. After Florence Kwok finished playing, she held onto the lower part of her body and said: "I want to complain, their hands were placed on that part, it really hurts!" Joyce was playing half way and gave up, so her teammate Florence had to replace her. After that, Florence had a leg cramp.

Afterwards, Florence was asked if she really wanted to complain? She expressed: "I think I may have bumped into the guy's belt, so next time guys please don't wear belts for the game! (Playing and got injuries, will you ask for a compensation?) I have insurance, but all the balloons popping sounds really painful to the ear." Towards Florence getting hurt on the bottom due to their hands, Michael Tse and Edwin Siu explained that its the correct posture to hold balloons. Edwin said: "actually we were all in pain. (Your hand hit her?) I didn't know where to put my hand, but had to hold onto the balloon. But it is pretty painful to the girls."

Also, Eric was rather caring towards "niece" Joyce Cheng during the games. When Joyce was playing the "burst balloon" game, Eric asked her: "Can you do it? If not, then tell one of the guys to jump for you!" Afterwards, Joyce admitted that she failed: "I am the heaviest here, but I couldn't pop the balloon. (Did Eric tell you not to come?) No, Elvina called me and told me to bring more clothing and don't have to worry about dressing well."

Florence Kwok received a 7 figure sum for being the spokesperson for "Banyan Tree" skin care products. Florence disclosed that she is very particular about skin cleanliness, specially removing make up. She has frequent facials too and has become a "Facial Fanatic". Nowadays, under the HD camera, it is more important that she has perfect skin. Florence has been trying different types of facial. Recently, she uses French "Uplifting Facial". It helps to reduce the look of winkles and tighten up the neckline and chin. She has no worries even under the HD camera.