Kent Cheng and Wayne Lai set for powerful collaboration

TVB new series, The King Maker, held its costume fitting recently. [The Kingmaker] stars two of Hong Kong's biggest talents - Kent Cheng and Wayne Lai.

[The King Maker] revolves around the story of the men in the imperial palace. Wayne and Kent will each play the role of the masters of a prince. They will out battle one another and aid their respective prince to become the Emperor.

Wayne shared that the new series will place great focus on the conflicts and struggles between the male characters in the palace, so it is alright not to have any "first-line" actresses in the series. Most importantly, is the good script that will produce good drama.

Wayne explained that he had collaborated with Kent before back in 2009 in The Greatness of a Hero. As such, for this round of collaboration, Wayne feels less pressure. "He’s a person who has very strict standards and does not film TVB series often, so getting the chance to collaborate with him is definitely a rare opportunity. I know that he rejected a lot of series in order to participate in this one – for him to think so highly of me, I’m very happy!" says Wayne.

Sacrificing earnings of over HKD 2 million, Kent turned down many offers so that he has the chance to work with Wayne again. Without any regrets, Kent explained, "If I don’t film the series this year, I may not have time next year. Wayne is TV King so I’m honored that he is willing to collaborate with me – his acting is amazing! If it weren’t for Wayne being in the series, I would not have come back to participate in it. If I had to choose one actor in all of TVB to collaborate with, my number one choice would definitely be Brother Wayne!"

Kent even joked that with such a collaboration, he "may" even earn back his HKD 2 million. Kent adds that although he collaborated with Wayne in [The Greatness of a Hero] two years ago, they did not have many scenes together, so this is the chance for them to battle it out in the new series.

Krystal Tin, Natalie Tong, Pierre Ngo, Chris Lai and Vivien Yeo make up the rest of the cast for this series.

Source: Mingpao with translations by llwy12@ AsianFanatics.net

When Lanes Merge

Cast:
Kent Cheng as Ho Kau
Raymond Wong as Ho Kah Po
Kate Tsui as Ko Lai Sum
Sonija Kwok as Cheung Hiu Man
Lee Heung Kam as Ko Li Sunk Ching
Raymond Cho
Elaine Yiu
Chan Chin Pang

Total Episodes: 20 episodes
Aired Dates: June 28 to July 23, 2010
Time Slot: Mondays to Fridays, 9.30pm
Channel: Astro Channel 921

Synopsis:
Ho Kau is a retired taxi driver who owns two taxis. His son, Ho Kah Po is sentenced to prison for dangerous driving which killed someone. Due to these circumstances, Ha Kau has to come out from retirement and return to his former job. The relationship between Ho Kau and Kah Po's was already strained prior to the accident and the conviction of Kah Po only made it worse.

After Kah Po was released from prison, he decides to work for Ho Kau joining his father as a taxi driver. Soon after that, Kah Po was involved in another serious accident. But this time around, Ho Kau was involved in the accident too. Ho Kau was injured physically and also traumaised mentally by the turn of events. Kah Po is filled with guilt towards his father and finally learned his lesson - the importance of driving carefully.

Kah Po tries his best to be extremely vigilant while driving. However, police-officer, Ko Lai Sum still picks on him. Over time, the pair begins to see each other's merit and their relationship develop further. However, Kah Po's former girlfriend, Cheung Hiu Man and Lai Sum's grandmother, Ko Li Sunk Ching appear to be the biggest hurdle in their relationship.

A Watchdog's Tale

Cast:
Maggie Siu as Tseung Tin Ngor
Kent Cheng as Lai Chun Sing
Steven Ma as Chow Yung Kung
Linda Chung as Lai Sin Yue, Sammi
Natalie Tong
Raymond Wong
Ram Tseung

Total Episodes: 20 episodes
Aired Dates: December 28, 2009 to January 22, 2010
Time Slot: Mondays to Fridays, 8.30pm
Channel: Astro Channel 901

Synopsis:
Tseung Tin Ngor, a wealthy woman, was kidnapped together with her beloved pet dog, Woody. Although both woman and dog were unharmed, Woody suffers from some behavioral problems since that kidnapping incident. Tin Ngor brings Woody for treatment at various Veterinarian Clinics but to no avail.

Left with little options, Tin Ngor gets help from Lai Chun Sing, a retired police canine officer. Chun Sing, who recently retired from his police job, owns a kennel in the suburbs. Although Tin Ngor does not have good impression of Chun Sing (also fondly known as Lulu Sir) she trusts him to help Woody. When Woody's condition improves noticeably, Tin Ngor was impressed and changes her perception towards Lulu Sir.

Tin Ngor begins to investigate her own kidnapping and mistakenly conceives that Lulu Sir's landlord, Chow Yung Kung, as one of the kidnappers. With the help of Bingo, a police-trained dog, Tin Ngor and Lulu Sir manage to prove Yung Kung's innocence and clear him from the crime.

Yung Kung was touched by Bingo and Lulu Sir's efforts and that motivates him to be a better dog lover. His concern and care for his own dog keeps him in constant contact with Lai Sin Yue (Lulu's Sir's daughter), a Veterinarian.

The Greatness of a Hero

Cast:
Kent Cheng as Dik Yan Kit
Rebecca Chan as Empress Mo
Wayne Lai as Mo Sing Chi
Sunny Chan as Sung Ting Yuk
Bernice Liu as Dik Ching Lun
Sonija Kwok as Cho Yuet
Lee Heung Kam
Matthew Ko
Stephen Wong
Stephen Huynh
Raymond Cho
Claire Yiu
Queenie Chu
Tracy Ip
Leila Tong

Total Episodes: 20 episodes
Aired Dates: February 9 to March 6, 2009
Time Slot: Mondays to Fridays, 8.30pm
Channel: Astro Channel 901

Synopsis:
Dik Yan Kit is one of the most celebrated and trusted chancellors of Empress Mo. Empress Mo's nephew, Mo Sing Chi, is jealous of Dik's success. Mo tries to sabotage Dik in every opportunity that he gets. Mo finally gets his golden chance when he accuses Dik for conspiring with his daughter, Dik Ching Lun's husband, Sung Ting Yuk of attempting to overthrow Empress Mo's throne.

Dik is disappointed and exasperated with Mo's actions.Under the influence of Mo, Empress Mo orders to capture all Dik's family members. Dik manages to escape but Mo threatens to kill his wife, Cho Yuet. Dik must find a way to right things and restore order before even more people are hurt by Mo's actions.

Steven Ma treats Cast and Crew of Dogs on the Beat

Steven Ma treated the cast and crew of his new series, Dogs on the Beat to a 5 table hotpot banquet. Among those who attended the dinner include Kent Cheng and wife, Amy, Linda Chung (who plays Steven's love interest in the series), Natalie Tong, Koni Lui and Queenie Chu. All those who attended the dinner were requested to bring along a gift under HKD 50. Steven also shared that this dinner invitation is extended to everyone, just like all his previous treats!

Steven said he doesn't mind picking up the tabs. "What’s important is that they gave me face by attending and that they had a good time together. It’s not easy to have everyone get together for a dinner. Also, our team have worked really well together," he added.

Steven also revealed that the day before was Kent's wife, Amy's birthday. As such they tried to celebrate her birthday at the dinner as well. Steven also mentioned that he has a good relationship with Kent, akin to one shared by a godfather and a godson.

Credit to Steven-ma.org/On.CC with original translation by tamaya @ AsianFanatics.net

Dogs on the Beat: Steven and Linda faces challenges

Recently the cast of "Dogs on the Beat" Steven Ma, Linda Chung, Kent Cheng, Maggie Siu and Koni Lui attended the costume fitting for the drama.

Steven will be portraying a character that comes from a village. His character is someone who is abrasive, perverted, loves pornographic magazines and enjoys ogling at big chested women. Steven thinks that his role is the drama will be a challenge as he has previously played characters who are polite and well-mannered. Steven will be paired with Linda Chung.

Linda Chung's character is a tomboy, but she will change midway through the series and become a beautiful swan. Reporters asked if she is worried about having to portray such character as her fans may not like it, but Linda says it is alright as she can show the audience a different side of her.

The storyline for the drama was unfortunately not revealed. This is the second time Linda and Steven pair up as a couple. Previously they were paired up in A Journey Called Life.

Source: Takungpao
Original translation: kingkongit27 @ AsianEU

A Journey Called Life

I've just finished watching TVB's A Journey called Life, starring Steven Ma and Linda Chung. As the title suggest, this series is about life and it aims to be an inspiration of sort to viewers. This series is one of those that comes with a community message attached to it. The themes explored are related somehow to the norms and taboo of society - teenage pregnancies, single motherhood, abortion, greed, broken families, importance of family support, among others.

A Journey Called Life tells the story of Ka Ka (Linda Chung) whose mother had passed away when she was a little girl. She lived with her real father and stepmother (who has 4 other children). She hates her stepmom and vice versa. One day, she discovered that her late mother's ashes are missing and went around searching for the ashes at numerous stone factory. She finally found them at Kam Shek Kei, a stone factory owned by Fatty Boss (Kent Cheng).

Fatty Boss has a disciple named Onn Boy (Steven Ma). Fatty Boss and Onn Boy are kind hearted and they are always available to lend a hand to Ka Ka. Eventually, Onn Boy and Ka Ka develop feelings for each other.

Onn Boy has 2 younger sisters, the elder one is Sum (Fala Chen), who is very materialistic, money-minded and power hungry and the younger, Yee - who unexpectedly got pregnant and shocked the family with her actions.

Watch how these characters' lives intertwined, and how each character's story unfold. Were the decisions made correct, or wrong? But then again, what is deemed correct by society may not be what's best for the character. You be the judge.

This series actually surprises me, it is actually quite entertaining and there aren't many draggy bits. Steven Ma and Linda Chung have good chemistry, as does Steven and Kent Cheng. The bond shared by these two characters and wonderful and I love seeing Kent Cheng back in action. The supporting casts (Mary Hon, Raymond Cho) are excellent too. Definitely worth watching.