TVB Entertainment News

Michael Tong (唐文龍) was dressed up in sports attire for cycling donation drive in Kowloon Tong on 31st March 2018 and urged for donations for local registered charity, Treats (親切 Treats). On the stage, he revealed he used to cycle to school everyday in the US and cycling became part of his daily life.

Michael said during an interview: “I learn how to cycle at the age of 2 plus and every child has his/her own bicycle in overseas. As my house is not in the same district as my school, it takes about 2 hours to cycle per day.” He loved to cycle around as his school had nice views and cycling became part of his life: “I get to enjoy the breeze, analyse things and treat it as a training since the cycling journey is not a smooth path. (Continuing your cycling routine until now?) I seldom cycle since working in China and Hong Kong. It is unsafe when cycling to home or school as Hong Kong is considered a small place.”

Reminding that Apple Daily (蘋果) took photos of his manager and himself at Causeway Bay a few days ago, Michael felt it was amusing: “The media is indeed very concerned about my life and thank you very much. She is my former manager and we know each other for more than 10 years and are not dating. (Dare not go out with girls now?) Some girls really dare not go out with me and it resembles to eating vegetarian now. Anyway, I wish to focus on my career and supposed to film movie in April but the negotiation is unsuccessful and it does not really suit me. I will be attending events and filming commercials later.”

Michael Tong (唐文龍), Aimee Chan (陳茵媺) and Hins Cheung (張敬軒) attend an awards ceremony for beauty products on 02 March. Michael is rumoured for having a "father and daughter" relationship with Mandy Wong (黃文意) earlier and asking about his secret for looking young, he replies he exercises and does facial frequently.

When asked if his young looks attract young girls, Michael pretends to kick the reporter and emphasises he is currently single and understand the audiences are concerned about his relationship: "I do not plan to attract any particular age and welcome all ladies regardless of the age."

When the reporters ask if he is currently dating Mandy, Michael says: "We are not together at all. I feel very helpless upon reading the news lately and do not want to give any pressure to Mandy. The news describes as if we are really dating and we are not. Please give some mercy and it is bad from the way you describe her. She is a graduate, beauty with brain and does not rely on this method to progress her career. I have nothing to give her and please let her off. (But she depends on you to gain fame?) She has her own fans and we are good friends only. (Okay if other young girls get close to you?) It depends on destiny. Recently, the news expose my age and I am made fun by my good friends as a result."

48 years old Michael Tong (唐文龍) gains fame after filming TVB series, Heart and Greed 3 (溏心風暴3) lately and his intimate scenes with Sharon Chan (陳敏之) attract immediate attention from the public. On 13 February, a news report that Michael is dating 25 year old Mandy Wong (黃文意) who hosts Fun Abroad show and their romance is exposed after Mandy shares their photo online earlier.

Michael clarifies he is currently single and good friends with Mandy when replying to the media. He will be exercising on the following day and Mandy expresses they know each other for 6 months and go out together, but does not deny about dating together.

A serious bus accident causing 19 death and many casualties on the road in Tsuen Wan on 10 February. Many citizens render their assistance and donate blood at the donation station. Michael Tong (唐文龍) also urges people to help the needy. There is a blood donation station at 4pm in Tsuen Wan today and Michael believes it is worth to do it despite the long queue: "It is worth it even if there is a long queue as I wish people will donate blood to me if I am one of the casualties. Although it is free, but you can use your own blood to help people."

Michael Tong (唐文龍), Louise Lee (李司棋) and Ha Yu (夏雨) promote Heart and Greed 3 (溏心風暴3) series on 16 January. As Ha Yu pours milk tea on Michael previously, he finally gets to pour tea on Ha Yu on 16 January. Michael explains he specially wears glasses as a safety precaution before attending an event: "It makes my eyes dry when he pours milk tea on me previously and that's why I wear glasses today. (Does the series increase your workload in China?) Liaising with several production companies in China earlier and it includes movies. (Continue to film TVB drama?) Nope but I hope to continue filming in Hong Kong and cannot be anxious though. Anyway, I can develop my career in China and Hong Kong. Thank you to everyone for supporting me and I suffer from insomnia for 2 weeks before the series is aired."

Recently, actress Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣) accepted the interview during Warner Bros show (娛樂3兄弟) and exposed the details of the incident when filming TVB series, The Biter Bitten (人生馬戲團) 10 years ago. However, she had no idea about the chase-after reason.

Although another related party, Michael Tong (唐文龍) did not really want to mention the incident, but he expressed he tried to discover the reason at that time and there was rumours that the boss of the karaoke shop had feud with the customer: "It appeared the boss of the karaoke shop had argument with the customer over bill payment and that customer had resentment. Hence, they decided to teach them a lesson when the shop was closing and we ended up as the unlucky ones."

Extremely alert when returning home late at night

However, Michael remained unaware of the actual reason and mentioned it was extremely dangerous at that point, as they were carrying big knives and water barrels. Thus, everyone tried to flee upon seeing the situation and the martial arts instructor was injured and hospitalised in order to protect Shirley Yeung (楊思琦) and Linda. Fortunately, his injuries was not serious and he was a true hero. When asked if he had any phobia after that, Michael replied nope but will be extremely alert to the surroundings and look out for any suspicious characters whenever returning home late at night.

Michael Tong (唐文龍) acted as 'Kam Sing 金勝' in Return of the Cuckoo (十月初五的月光) series and went to Mainland China for career developments after that. In the recent years, he returned to Hong Kong to work again and film the movie version, Return of the Cuckoo. Other than reuniting with his family, Michael hopes to find a sense of belonging in Hong Kong: "It starts from zero as I left Hong Kong too long. (Earns sufficient income and returns to Hong Kong?) Earning money is never enough and there is more opportunity as Hong Kong has less restrictions on films."

In comparison to previous 'Kam Sing 金勝' role, Michael maintains his fit body well and there is an added sense of maturity: "Acting skills in Mainland China is very abstract and you have to do your part well and maintain in tip-top condition if you want to have opportunity." He disclosed he accepted to film new show other than liaising with TVB: "It is an ancient film directed by Gordon Chan (陳嘉上) and I will be working with Vincent Zhao (趙文卓) and Timmy Hung (洪天明). We will be training in Hengdian as well. The filming will start in December and need to film topless, but the weather there is freezing."

Pressured by family to get married

When mentioned about his love life, Michael said: "Many friends are already married and Timmy Hung has two children now. Really need to know Janet Chow (周家蔚). My family is pressuring me to get married but showbiz is small. (Can accept 'father and daughter' romance (父女戀)?) I encounter girls from this generation and I am fine with it but depends on destiny. Can search while filming."

Told Charmaine Sheh to take care of herself

Earlier, Nancy Sit (薛家燕) exposed that he was wooing Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) when filming the series and when mentioned about the silly misunderstanding, Michael laughed and said: "Nancy wishes for the best of the series. I have girlfriend at that time and dare not woo even have feelings. (Both are single now.) We are too close and hard to have that feelings. Charmaine has a male character and she can take hardship. Hope she will take good care of herself and does not fall sick regularly."

It has been a long time since Michael Tong (唐文龍) appeared and he attended the Wing Chun seminar given by Master, William Kong (江志強). He disclosed that he used to learn Hung Kuen but started to learn Wing Chun since 2007. Michael believed that the learning of martial arts process was to increase his analytical thinking and patience, and said: "I learn martial arts is not to become a fighter and convince people by this way.".

Michael revealed he had been filming in Mainland China for 7 to 8 years and hoped to have some achievements upon returning to Hong Kong this time. When asked about the reasons for not staying in Mainland China and if the market was bigger or better salary, Michael said: "I am still a Hong Kong citizen and hope to do something here. (Any plans in Hong Kong now?) Nope, but some negotiations are going on now but it is pointless to reveal since no finalisation yet.".

Michael Tong left TVB in 2006 and tried 'gold digging' up north in Mainland, but it's not that easy for outsiders. Michael knows the hardships! He said: "I went to Beijing, but I didn't have any friends there, so no one could help me. I didn't have a manager either, I relied on myself for everything I did. The first few years was really difficult, I didn't go out to drink, party and didn't know how to socialize, but I still had to rely on myself to get jobs!" Later Michael's friend introduced him to an investor in Mainland and then he had the opportunity to be in TV dramas. Other people may think Hong Kong artists going to develop in Mainland will definitely get really popular, but that is not true! Michael said: "The first few years was all on me, there was a time I didn't have any jobs. Also, at the time I still had a house in Hong Kong, so I had to fly back and forth between the two places. It was quite expensive!" He disclosed he endured four years in Mainland before jobs came to find him.

Today, Michael has already developed enough in Mainland to be known and is starting to miss Hong Kong. He said: "I've been working in Mainland for many years, and haven't heard even a word of Cantonese. It wasn't until I filmed The Four three years ago that I heard some Cantonese. I think I still really miss Hong Kong!" He said in The Four, he only had a few lines, but almost 40% of the crew were from HK, so he felt more familiar. He expressed aside from TV series, he hopes to participate in more films and take on a new challenge in life.

Michael Tong left TVB 4 years ago, and went to develop his acting career in Mainland all alone. Besides shooting TV series, recently he is also busy with film work. He said frankly he is grateful of the training TVB gave him over the years, and he will never forget their kindness.

Back then, Michael went to develop his career in the unfamiliar Mainland, he said frankly after all the hard work he went through, it strengthen him: "When I first got to Mainland, I didn't have a single friend, after time, I made some friends and slowly the market opened up and I started accepting series. In Mainland, making money is really not as easy as everyone thinks it is."

According to Michael, the reason for his departure from TVB 4 years ago was because of his personality, his urge to challenge himself, so he felt it was necessary for him to go work outside, and didn't want to be conservative: "I entered TVB in 2000. The day I'm a TVB artist, they will always be a respected mentor of mines. TVB gave me a lot of experience and training that I will never forget. My well-known mark, people giving me acting jobs, it is enormously due to the fact that my TVB series were broadcast in Mainland."

Michael currently has been in several TV series in Mainland and his career is stabled. Also, he signed with the management company SKYKEE, and is currently charging into the film scene. He already worked with both big and small directors, including Producer Gordon Chan's The Four Great Detectives, top filmmaker Hang-Sang Poon's Purple House and later he'll be starting Cicada's Summer.

Earlier Michael and Taiwanese actress Ruby Lin collaborated in the film Embroidered Shoes (tentative). Towards the collaboration with Ruby, he expressed she is very friendly: "First time working with her, we were shooting in Suzhou, she plays my sister-in-law. She's a very nice person and easy going." Michael expressed he won't give up on Mainland series, because film and TV audience are different, it's necessary and requires balance. Well worth the small extra difficulty.