Saturday, March 30, 2013

Pala Casino Christmas concert




credit: Photography by TaTa FB

credit: Jade Entertainment fb

editorial - Steven returning to shoot a tvb series

Though I don't like or wish Steven to return to TVB on a per series contract to shoot Uncle Choi's May series, and a pre-modern drama at that, I knew sooner or later Steven would give in to external forces to finally sign a per series contract with TVB: 1) To some people and Steven’s one of them: A debt of gratitude (人情债) though intangible is more binding and timeless than any other debts. 2) There is no such thing as a free lunch; earlier, TVB cut him loose without penalty just so they can cash in their favors (人情债) to rope him in at a later date.  3) Deep affection for Producer Leung, who has been constantly calling out to him to come back 'home'.

In the end it all boils down to Steven being intangibly fettered by his sense of gratitude, his spoken words of promises, and his sense of honor (the latter, though tremendous, is almost naïve, even old-school, in this day and age): be it his sense of gratitude and indebtedness to Catherine Tsang as his mentor, or his sense of obligation to TVB for being his maternal home and for their “magnanimity” to him, or his deep affection for Leung Choi Yuen.

Compare Uncle Choi’s year old forlorn post to his recent ecstatic response eagerly looking forward to a son finally coming home after a long absence. How can Steven get past Uncle Choi’s signature “dak ge la” vote of confidence in him without sounding ungrateful, not to mention disappointing and hurting the latter who has been like a father to him?

uncle choi@ 馬浚偉: Seeing the recent work, and realizing no Old Ma's share, so not used to it. It's like the son's not home from outside so can't sleep, understand? 看看近作 發現沒有老馬的份 這麼不習慣 有如兒子出夜街未歸 睡不著 明嗎? Feb-5/2012

So, is Steven's contract all finalised?
Uncle Choi: Dak ge la! (Should be fine!) 預晒佢 (count him in already) He has to try out the costumes. We've already arranged for him to have his measurement taken, and makeover try out. 3/ 28th 2013
******************************************************************************************

2011/9/23
Actually, whether I have contract with TVB or not doesn't matter, if Zhan Jie wants me to shoot a series, I'll certainly return to camp." link /2011/09/23

Recall these old news reports.
Revisit what Steven Ma had said about Virginia Lok
******************************************************************************************

Friday, March 29, 2013

Editorial: Steven's sense of indebtedness and gratitude to tvb

Sometimes, Steven is too honorable for his own good, especially in the corrupted and superficial world of entertainment. There is such thing as 'blind loyalty". (愚忠)

Imo, Steven has paid back his gratitude debt and more to TVB and Catherine during his 5 years and more with them as tvb managed artist.

But knowing Steven's background I do understand his keen sense of gratitude and indebtedness to TVB and Catherine Tsang for all their help in the earlier years of his career, thereby enabling him to improve his and his family’s standard of living.

Steven grew up in the poor Sham Shui Po neighborhood where gangsters and drifters were part of its daily street scenes. From young, he was used to seeing discarded used syringes littering the back staircase in their building, while in the back alleys, hooligans and prostitutes galore loitered. “As a teen walking through Pak Ho Street I was already accosted by prostitutes.”

“She (Catherine Tsang) appeared at the time (1997) when I had decided to give up on an entertainment career for good.” And in 1999 when he was inconsolable with grief over his mother's death and was stuck in a deep depression for months on end, she motivated him with ample TVB work opportunities to get through that rough patch.

He vowed to give his mother a better life. In July 1999, at age 27 he moved his whole family from Sham Sui Po to a "1000 over square ft luxury home at Ho Man Tin (何文田)." However, in the same month on the 21st, his mother passed away.

"He (Steven) likes to observe and take note of his peers’ strengths. Some friends sing better than him, or look better than him- only that they did not have the opportunity to fully develop or display their talents. Steven, being a recipient of such an opportunity through someone’s generosity, is especially grateful." 2004

That was TVB’s big benefaction (恩) to him– enabling him with the financial capability and the swiftness to honor his filial vow to his mother while she was still alive. Incidentally, his mother was only 48 years old when she passed away.

Disclaimer: Just speculation on my part.

Aside: When asked if it was pity that he became famous only after his mom’s death, Steven said maybe it is so fated because two years ago he was not famous, so he had had plenty of time to spend with his mom before she passed away, so that now he has no lingering regrets at her passing. 2001 news

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Catherine Tsang Discussing contract with Steven Ma

Catherine Tsang Personally Discusses Per Series Contract with Steven Ma
曾勵珍幫馬浚偉出頭傾約
source: news on cc 3/28/2013 and oriental daily

Steven Ma is still the  'favorite general' of Catherine Tsang, TVB Director of drama productions. It has been confirmed that he will return to maternal home although the official contract has not been signed yet.  But Steven admitted that Catherine has personally discussed the contract with him, and that Producer Leung Choi Yuen has already even arranged for him to try out his costumes.

Apparently, during his one absence from TVB, Catherine had constantly urged him to return to tvb to shoot a series but because he was shooting some mainland series, he had to declined two production schedules.  However, Producer Leung Choi Yuen has confirmed to get Steven to shoot a 30 episode tvb series, 《守業者》 in May. He also revealed that in the beginning it was a modern series.  Steven and Bobby Au Yeung would play two brothers.  But because of Bobby's earlier acute pneumonia, and because he still hasn't finished shooting his series, 《情逆三世緣》 and because he wants to rest so he has rejected the series.  So now he has the series rewritten, and has it time period changed to a pre-modern drama.  He has recruited Evergreen Mak to replace Bobby.  The female lead is Tavia Yeung.  There will be some on location film in Foshan and Qing Yuan.

So, is Steven's contract all finalised?
Dak ge la! (Should be fine!)  預晒佢 (count him in) He has to try out the costumes.  We have already arranged for him to have his measurement taken,  and try out some makeovers.

Earlier on, Steven Ma parted on bad terms with TVB Artist Management Department and had requested to be released from his contract. Yesterday, this reporter called up Steven on the phone, when asked about it he said: "Huh! Wait until my contract has been finalized la!"

(Catherine Tsang personally discussed the contract with you?")
" Yes! Since I left the company last year, she had wanted me to return to the shoot a series. Tsang Jie is my sifu. She even handles the contract matter for me."

(Earlier on, it can be said that he parted on bad terms with TVB Artist Management. This time did he communicate with Virginia Lok?)

Don't say parted on bad terms, we are all adults. I don't know who is in charge of the contract negotiation now in the company

If later happen to encounter Ms. Lok, will it be awkward?
No problem la!I'm only an actor. In the past, I was under management contract but now I'm not, so don't care about other stuff.

Notice: Steven Ma to film Leung Choi Yuen's May series?

个Despite what's been presumed by netizens (baidu and weibo) that Steven has 100% confirmed to film Leung Choi Yuen's May series, Steven himself did not confirm it when reporter called him up for his response to the rumor. As usual, Steven gave the same response when asked to confirm the rumor: "let's get the contract done first ba". 記者致電馬浚偉,他說:「啲合約搞埋先啦!」

Seems to me TVB is pressing Steven to sign the contract but he is still holding out. Since the beginning of the year, TVB has been using the media to fan the rumor of Steven's return to TVB giving him pressure to repay his gratitude debt to Catherine Tsang.

These days, people tend to just skim the 1st paragraph of news reports, and too lazy to read the rest of the article.

Who knows, TV Queen Tavia may yet reject the offer to shoot the series. So there you go, nothing is 100% confirmed yet unlike what others may say. Better to wait for Steven to confirm his role and for Tavia to confirm her role in the series.

Honestly, I would much rather Steven shoot the big profit, big budget grand production by Miu Siu Ching and Lau Ka Ho, though the series seems to be a woman's drama centering around this virtuous empress, and male roles are more secondary.

And I'm not that fond of pre-modern drama where the costumes are not all that flattering.  Also, Steven is probably going to be cast in that kind hearted male character. So put off by this kind of dramas - I don't even have the urge to watch any of the past tvb similar series like the one on tea, and the wine.  And also I've watched Uncle Choi's previous lunar new year pre-modern series, and I didn't like it.

And also may I say, I'm tired of Steven co-starring with his 3 tvb sisters again? 
Yeah, I'm not a happy camper reading this news.  I knew given his - this insistence of 'gam yam' (gratitude) Catherine Tsang will in the end rope him with her friendship/gratitude card. 

Edited: Haiz! Seems like the writing on the wall has appeared.  Though Steven himself has not confirmed this, guess he is gonna film tvb series. 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Circles: Evergreen Mak


Mar -21-2013

Saturday, March 23, 2013

2008 book essay - Blowing your own trumpet

The many criticisms on Grace Wong's news articles on Jaynestars prompted me to translate this essay Steven's book.


Blowing Your Own Trumpet自拉自唱
I truly dread those people who incessantly talk about the ‘glory’ of their accumulated good deeds, especially those who think just by their pressing the elevator open/close door button they have done you a good deed.

I am not being ‘arrogant’ (串), but I honestly don’t get it; just life’s minor stuff; just common courtesy; just something so common it’s no longer unusual; but, why is that there are always some people who like to look upon this minuscule stuff that can’t even be seen clearly under a microscope as some unforgettable, extraordinary kind deeds?

Earlier, I listened to a radio program. Because it was halfway through when I tuned in I did not know who the speaker was. But gauging from the voice, should be a forty-fifty something years old, well educated and widely traveled woman. Because of her sweet voice, I was promptly drawn in and I listened attentively to her sharing.

At first I quite enjoyed listening to her. She was regaling listeners with tales of her globe trotting experiences. Her anecdotes had substance. Her depiction of various local cultures was lively and vivid. I was duly engrossed. But later when she talked about foreign travelers encountering inconveniences in their travels because of the language barrier, my opinion of her changed from appreciation to aversion!

Since she knew multiple languages, when traveling in a foreign country, she, of her own initiation, often acted as interpreter to her fellow tourists who did not know the language of the country they were in. This in itself was admirable but the problem arose when within that short ten minutes, she repeatedly stressed her ‘kind heart’, her ‘kindness’, her ‘willingness to help others’; this kind of phrases. I didn't exaggerate. When she repeatedly used these words to make herself look good, I truly couldn’t stand it. I cringed, listening to her.  So as not to have my mood spoilt I changed to another channel.

Actually, I mean no disrespect to the lady but this kind of presentation truly made me think she was blowing her own trumpet. 

People who help others should think of it as a matter of course, not seeking praises in return. The recipients: heart feels gratitude, and also feel warm.  

Anyway, there’s this Chinese saying, “大恩不言謝” (No words can adequately express my gratitude for your help/favor.) This inconsequential help, why mention? (這等小幫忙, 又何足掛齒?)

Praises, coming from other people’s mouths, always outweigh blowing one's own trumpet!

圖文並謬 2008 Pp 128-129

Friday, March 22, 2013

Bumped up feature: Shanghai TV Festival interviews insights in Steven's character

This post is bumped up to include this belated fanmade screencap storyboard. credit: liuliu weibo

First published 6/18/12 11:53
In the interview, WQQ and Steven elaborated on how essential it is to immediately establish a rapport among troupe colleagues (often strangers collaborating for the 1st time) for the good of the series and their own performances. Unlike TVB, whereby even if Steven had not collaborated with some new cast members in the past at least he knows them and moreover they all live in Hong Kong unlike the cast of his mainland series, who came from all parts of China and from Taiwan. 

Spontaneity
The scene rehearsal: WQQ, brokenhearted, decides to leave the family she has served and loved for so long and Steven runs after her to persuade her not leave. Steven pleads with her saying his scripted line in the beginning but finishes it with his own improvised line:

"But before you go you should at least give me your QQ number ba?. "(China cyber chat line)

Without missing beat, WQQ tearfully said: "I've already left it under your pillow."

Watch the video below.



BUMPED UP: 2006 Adia Chan interview

reposted from AF archive
An Adia Chan's fan posted the video below on Steven's baidu site.

With Nnadia's recent marriage news, bump up this post as feature.
Nnadia picks Steven as her 1st choice good husband material.

2:30 source

In this talk show, 2006-4-4 part D "娜可不一样" Adia is asked which one among her 5 former tv series leading men including Ekin Cheng, Louis Koo, Julian Cheung, Gallen Lo and Steven Ma, would she choose as friend, as lover, as husband, as good co-star, and as big brother.

She thinks very highly of Ekin - mainly because she is more familiar with him.
Ekin Cheng ==== co-star, friend, lover,
Gallen ===a good big brother
Steven Ma === husband. If Ekin is her runaway first choice for friend, lover, and co-star, Steven is her 2nd choice behind him for those same categories.

Nnadia's comment on Steven's character
- has a strong sense of responsibility
- knows how to take good care of loved ones and family
- makes one feel very secured
- a very well-grounded person

What Adia says:
Won't pick Louis as bf because he is too "shuai", (handsome), therefore, no security as his gf.

On second thoughts, Julian is also a good co-star.

For casual dating, maybe the first four men, but serious dating with marriage in mind, it's Steven, definitely. 


*************************************
original post 2010 Oct 4th.

related material:  Tudou: TVB Supermix variety show:  圓月彎刀 Steven/Adia's duet

Thursday, March 21, 2013

weibo 2013 mar 20 SM exhorts children to be filial to parents

 2013-3-20 07:41

當我還祈求上天請給我多一點時間去愛我母親的同時,天下就有好幾個弟兄親手把至親至愛一刀兩斷!痛啊!可知道什麼叫想愛不能愛、願愛無緣愛?我,今天不想評論孩子和父母間的對錯,但我想堅持地說一句,我想再親一下媽媽的機會都沒有了,我們做孩子的,請孝順一點、好嗎?

Attending Green Snake premiere in HK

Last night, 3/21/2013 Steven Ma, Carina Lau, Wayne Lai, Adam Cheng, Joe Ma, Deanie Ip, Michael Tse, Oscar Leung, Francis Ng, Kam Kwok-Leung(甘國亮), Cherie Chung(鍾楚紅) , Kara Hui, Kenny Bee (钟镇涛) 張叔平 attended the premier of Green Snake by National China Theatre in HK.

Though not mentioned in the above name list, Fala Chen also attended the show. She weibo Steven that there's this one line in the show reminded her of what Siu Chui says to Pu Chong Ling in Ghost Writer - "You finally remember me."



credit as labeled


Steven praises 秦海璐 for her performance in the play. Guess she asked that man to use her phone to record comments from Steven and other attendees on her performance and the play.


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Circles: March 8 2013 From foe to friend


related materials on Lam Kin Kong link -- 林敬剛
related material: crhk Steven talks about Evergreen Mak

Yuan Yang Pei's summary

summary
Qi Jun (Eric Huang) returns home from overseas and imbued with modern ideals wishes to break off his pre-arranged betrothal with Yong En (Zhang Meng), whom he has never met.  Enroute he coincidentally meets Yong En and falls in love with her at first sight. Because Yong En is abused by stepmother who arranged to have Yong En raped by a relative, Yong En  runs away from home and flees to her former family housekeeper, Zhou Quan (Quan Bo), who owns a restaurant. There she befriended Lai Fu, who is later employed as an employee there. They fall in love despite Quan Bo's objections because Yong En is from a prominent family background, after all, and Lai Fu is but a son of a poor widow selling soya sauce. In a scheme to inherit the wealth and property, Tang Ting Liang's, Tang Ting Xuan's (Steven Ma)  younger brother plots to kill him not once but twice, and each time failed to do so. For the first attempt, Ting Liang had a gang of thugs attacked Ting Xuan. After giving Ting Xuan a severe beating they threw him into the river but lucky for Ting Xuan a fishing boat passed by, and the fisherfolks saved his life. Ting Xuan goes into hiding in the fishing village for 3 months. Meanwhile, during his absence, Lai Fu came into town, and later he and Yong En fell for each other. On his wedding day, Ting Liang killed Lai Fu mistaking him for Ting Xuan.

Yong En looks for her missing bridegroom. She does not know that Lai Fu is dead and mistakens Ting Xuan for Lai Fu. However, Ting Xuan treats her coldly. Yong En gets into Tang Residence as a tutor to Ting Xuan's kid sister to investigate. By and by, unwittingly, Ting Xuan falls in love with Yong En.  When Yong En realizes that Ting Xuan is not Lai Fu she leaves the Tang residence. All the while, Qi Jun protects her in every way he cans. Ting Liang exposes that Ting Xuan is actually not Tang Qi's biological son so Ting Liang gets kicked out from the Tang family. Still seeing Ting Xuan as a big threat to him, Ting Liang hired another group of thugs to kill Ting Xuan, and in their attempt, Ting Xuan's real mom got killed while protecting Ting Xuan. Ting Xuan so filled with hatred seeks vengeance. He marries Song Yi Lan (Tang Ling -  she loves Qi Jun)  hoping to use the Song family's wealth and power to get back into top society so that he can take over Tang family's wealth and property.

Ting Xuan succeeded in taking over Tang's wealth through devious means, and summarily becomes the sole owner but he gets no pleasure from it. He kidnaps his kid sister to in an attempt to get Yong En to see him, and to force her to break up with Qi Jun. He gives an impassioned plea to Yong En to love him but she spurns his love and viciously berated him for what he did to the Tangs.  Somehow, Qi Jun finds out where they are and breaks inside the house to rescue Yong En.  So incensed, Ting Xuan fires at Qi Jun but Yong En blocks the bullet with her body and is shot instead.

Ting Xuan so shaken with almost killing Yong En suddenly, improbably, inexplicable turns into a new leaf. He meets up with Yi Lan and gives her the deeds and what not to her, keeping nothing for himself. He then walks out into the rain, repenting his wrong.  Meanwhile, Yong En recovered, and pretty soon she and Qi Jun got married.  --The End--.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Yuan Yang Pei top Hunan tv ratings

YYP consecutively ranked first on Hunan tv ratings
3/12: 6.42 pts, 22.21 share; rank 1
3/13: 8.06 pts, 24.67 share; rank
3/15: 8.19 pts,23.61 share; rank 1
3/16: 11:22  pts, 30.42 share; rank 1
3/17: 10:38 pts, 30.7 share; rank 1

credit:HSQ fansite 2013-03-19 14:06

Hopefully with its impressive tv ratings in the Hunan province, the series can be picked up by some other tv station channels before its planned nationwide broadcast on Anwei Satellite TV Station tv in the far away September time slot.

#祺事快递##鸳鸯佩暨缘定今生#湖南收视蝉联第一[放鞭炮]15号:湖南收视8.19,份额23.61,排名1。16号:湖南收视11.22,份额30.42,排名1。 17号:湖南收视10.38,份额30.7~~激动激动再激动!感谢美丽女制片的才智,感谢所有主创,#鸳鸯佩#因你们的努力而精彩[鼓掌]祝上星后取得更好佳绩[威武]#黄少祺#


Editorial: Steven's Impacting Life


Impacting Life through giving help and opportunities to others
Because of his background, his mother's battle with cancer and a social conscience instilled in him by his parents, Steven had aspired since young to give back to society and to impact lives through actions and through giving others help and opportunities to better themselves. After high school Steven applied for a social worker position but was rejected because he did not have the required Form 7 academic credentials.  (1) Hence his mother's doctors, nurses and the hospital personnels and staff first inspired him with their kindness and help given to his mother. Till now Steven still do Hospitals promo video.
I dare not say I like to help people since young, I'm not that great. On the contrary, what I want to say is that when young I often had the opportunity to receive other people's help.[..]So to me, helping others or giving opportunity to others is very important because I myself have received plenty. So if it is within my effort, I hope to help other people. (2005)
1999 Steven was devastated when his mother died and he withdrawn into sorrow and depression. He isolated himself at home for three months or so until he was enlightened by Tang Jun Yi's (唐君毅) book given to him by good friend, Tsui Yong Yong.

2002 Steven established his own publishing company (出色堂) so that he could publish books of interest to him. He stressed he did not publish books specifically for profit or for fame.  2006 news:  "Only 2000 odd books are published per run. It’s a breakeven, can’t even make profits. So what fame is there to laud? What compliments are there to fish?" .  His objective he said was to give his readers different perspectives on life so that they could get through their problems or get back on life after a devastating setback. The materials of his published books drew heavily on his childhood background, which include: suicide, the family of a cancer patient and problem teenagers. (2)
2005: I feel that people in general need other people’s perspectives and assistance. [..] If they could somehow benefit just one person, I would be very happy indeed[..]

There are other mediums I could use, too. Besides books, I could also do it through TV series by choosing different kinds of characters to portray. I could even write scripts. And also, my characters could convey what I want to communicate to the public. Really not necessary to strictly do it through printed words. Printed words are indeed important, but images/videos could also be used as well as audio.

Singing could do that too. Like for instance, I could compose a song about family love, or include some words about the meaning of life. Actually, a lot of stuff are interrelated, no need to relinquish any one of them.  Actually, a lot of stuff are interrelated, no need to relinquish any one of them.
Over the years Steven has given back to society through his numerous charity works. Today, Steven continues to impact lives through his books, words, charities, actions and his work.  Steven said his new music album is composed mostly of Christian songs.


(1) 2005 vid/transcript- a day as a social worker.
(2) Acting is not my objective, helping people is


related materials
SM empthasizes delinquent youths
I'm a chronic patient's relative
vid/transcript SM talking to mainland fans
2006 Red Wine-Fresh-Milk
2009 SM's tour a poverty stricken village  

Monday, March 18, 2013

UPDATED: Yuan Yang Pei - Scriptwriter brownie

baidu 欢欢2006  Reading everybody's reponse, as one of the scriptwriters, I almost cried. I believe that 4th Brother also because of these comments was most moved! My most pure-minded and most filled with love character -- Tang Ting Xuan! Thank you everybody for your love! 4th Brother did well!

王欢Brownie weibo Reading the online discussions and analysis on Tang Ting Xuan -this character, I knew we've won! If say, our creation had to get past certain constraints, then we must undoubtedly do our very best to fight for the result! True! 'Heart pain'*  - this phrase constantly being evoked is a reflection of a tragic character's fate, and through this reflection we can see how many people of emotions and sentiments there are in this world. Your heart, was it pained?

*heart pain: distressed for TTX  

Scriptwriter, Brownie, said on weibo: there was an even more tears-inducive ending but...you all understand. (tn: why it wasn't picked.)

Fan asked to read the alternate ending but Brownie said she wouldn't dare reveal such a sensitive topic.  (tn: hmm! interesting - wonder what secrets?)

王欢Brownie 00:22Aiya, tian ya! This kind of sensitive topic, (I) won't dare to reveal ya! I'm but a lowly scriptwriter, who still need to rely on 'make believe' stories to earn a living. Ai! Rice bowl ya! Better not say! 4th Brother himself didn't say anything so I better not either! Just take the hint ba, ok, friend?
 

Brownie: I feel terrible suppressing stuff I can't speak of ! Anyway, this ending is the best of the lot, (tn: given the alternate) fans would probably hunt us down and kill us.  6 words: 「No heaven's justice」 + 「not enough time」「没天理」+「来不及」

Brownie's reply to a fan when the latter thanked her for writing such a human character.   Actually 4th Brother's personal opinions and suggestions plus his nuanced acting brought life to Ting Xuan. But he truly wished that Lai Fu did not have to die! Haha! Also want to thank 4th Brother for sticking to his gun and for his support during the script writing adjustment phase. He is truly a superior actor, and he truly loves his work and his character roles. 


Wah! Such high praises from Director Wong Ka Fai to Steven: 
Thank you for your excellent performance. Without you there won't be any Lai Fu and Ting Xuan nuanced characters. Your performance is brilliant. Our success is because of you.  感謝你的卓越演出,沒有你就沒有來福庭軒的精緻人物,表現出極之全神,我們的成功只因為有你 ! 

王欢BrownieAiya maya! Director speaks! Director was the most tired!

Director WKFAnd also to our great scriptwriter, Huan Huan! Truly thankful to you!

-- more-- speculation

YYP has good ratings and good reviews .

YYP garnered good ratings and also good reviews from netizens and media alike. Steven's roles are very well received, and Lai Fu arguably the most favorite character in the series.

Trista琼2013要找对象 It's a hit on Hunan tv channel. My old neighbor persisted staying up late into the night just to watch you.

王鹏WP王鹏鹏 - 3/16/2013 20:41 - Hunan tv director: Truly, it's a hit in Hunan. I rarely watched tv at home and had wanted to do so this one time, but my mom hogged the tv and wouldn't let me.  Also, my dad excitedly told me that Xiao Xuan Zi's (Domd98) in it ! I was nonplussed before I got it. (tn: on who xxz was) I was going to write some paper but was dragged into watching the series. Truly not bad! First young master has a great presence! Bravo!


Imo, if 7 Days and Safeguards can be broadcasted in popular mainland tv channels, Steven's popularity would increase greatly.  People still remember and love his Xiao Xuan Zi, Cao Zi and Chow Sai Hin, to this day. Most consider the first two series and his characters classic.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Yuan Yang Pei - amnesia vs twins

Brownie欢欢, one of YYP's scriptwriters, dropped in Zhang Meng Baidu bar.  A fan asked how come Lai Fu and TTX are not the same person as written in the book. Brownie replied that was because some related department forbid them to use 'amnesia' to push the storyline so they had to make the change to twins and change the storyline accordingly.  And that actually they already had the 'amnesia' script written out -- (TN: probably the very same script that got Steven to accept the roles. In that case he would truly be the male lead as per script compare to now when his lead is in contention with Huang Shao Qi's. Also with the change in the title, and the happy ending for Qi Jun, the male lead may even lean toward HSQ. But unquestionably, Steven's characters are more interesting than HSQ's. Too bad about the 'amnesia' being dropped. )

But the last episode is just so lame but what to do, the series had to get pass China film censorship so evil has to repent. That's the policy with the mainland series censhorship -- that the good must win over the evil, and that the 'evil' person must have his/her comeuppance, and that villain cannot be male/female absolute lead in the series.

*******************
Anyway, I truly enjoyed watching YYP, much better than I expected -- seeing it being a pre-modern mainland series and all, but it was really riveting.  Steven was brilliant in his performances except I can't quite see Ting Xuan begging for any woman's love, even if she is Yong En -- just don't see that in his proud character. Maybe because he is only 23 years old, and has lost his whole family?

Anyway I laughed at hearing Lai Fu say he is "23 years old", and so must be Ting Xuan then. TX is so young but already a crafty banker and business man.  Impressive!

I like Yong En until she becomes so righteous towards the end, and becomes too 2 dimensional unlike Yi Lan who is more human. In fact, in the latter half I like Yi Lan more than Yong En.

Also, don't understand why Yong En did not hate Ting Liang for killing Lai Fu. She doesn't even show any anger when she sees Ting Liang the very next day after Ting Xuan told her how Lai Fu died.  Very strange!

So, what is your opinon on YYP?
I really enjoyed it except for the last episode.  But I don't know about TTX going off his rockers -- I mean this is TX we are talking about - smart and confident- breaking apart over Yong En.  Doesn't he have to take care of his business empire instead of obsessing over Yong En?

欢欢2006回复 nancy南孟静梅 :这个是因为一些相关部门对剧情的要求,当时是说不允许用“失忆”推动剧情,我们已经尽最大的努力来让故事上的变动不要过大了,但其实最早的“失忆”版本的剧本当时已经有了,后来临时改写的



zhang meng baidu

Saturday, March 16, 2013

UPDATED NOTICE

There is a break in story between epi 26 and epi 27 on youtube

To watch the whole complete set of video goto: link or this link2

The episode numbering in the above links is different from youtube because the links are dvd uploads while youtube's are direct upload of tv streaming: To watch where Ting Xuan finds out about Lai Fu's death, watch epic 24, 25, 26, in the above link. (They are the missing scenes in youtube)

You may have need to dl baidu media player to watch the videos in the website.

********************************
Wah! Youtube now has the complete uploaded 36 episodes.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Yuan Yang Pei - the watershed

What an emotion filled episodes
eta 2014: dvd epi 21 - epi 24
dvd epi 24 - Ting Xuan inadvertently finds out who kills Lai Fu.



Who killed Lai Fu?

spoiler

yuan Yang Pei epi 27





Steven and Guo Qing Qing's powerful scene. Brilliant!

BUMP UP: YYP -- cctv 8 news report


First published on May 12/2012 now bump up for relevance to tonight last episode.

Yuan Yang Pei

Watch Yuan Yang Pei on mango tv online site .click on 地方台, then click on "电视剧".  Will ask for you to dl baidu media player in order to watch the dramas. Wizard will take you thru the dl.

But now even this site is buffering too much, never mind the other sites that can't be watched at all because of too much buffering. Guess the heavy traffic is too much to handle.

Haiz, all sites are buffering too much for me now.


We may have to watch the uploads on youtube.

@8:30 pm the mango site has stablized  but other sites still buffer too mcuh.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Episode 20

I love Yong En and Ting Xuan's scenes.


Yuan Yang Pei - anyone watching?


Yong En meets Ting Xuan for the 1st time, mistaken him to be Lai Fu. Gotta say Zhang Meng's crying skill is superb. 

After 3 episodes the series is now moving along pretty well, and once Lai Fu appears, the series has sparks and really draws me.  Love Lai Fu, Steven did an excellent job becoming Lai Fu.  And is it possible? The more I watch Ting Xuan, the more I fell under his spell.

Steven says in is weibo that he heard YYP ranks first on Hunan Channel.

Episode 20 was so moving at the scene when Yong En brought Ting Xuan to the old restaurant site, esp. when she, eyes brimming with unshed tears, held out her little pinkie to Ting Xuan to remind him of their vows to each other.  55555.

Steven and Zhang Meng had great chemistry.  Yes!

But I had to miss the last segment of epi 21 -- the wedding, cos' needed to be elsewhere.  Waiting for uploads on youtube.

When Ting Xuan sees her holding out her pinkie to him, he says: "This action you did to me twice, what does it mean?"

And, and ... watch youtube to see what come after.

And btw, Ting Xuan got slapped on his left cheek, but in the later scene when he reminisces the slap he touches his right cheek instead. haha!

eta 2015: Pls note that the uploaded aired episodes (commented here) are different from the much later dvd uploads on youtube. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

episode 10

I'm liking the series now. Getting quite interesting. The series is getting much more interesting with Lai Fu's appearance and his love story with Yong En -- aw, so sweet. Steven's great as the simple and naive Lai Fu, but he has vanished now.

With Lai Fu's mysterious disappearance, Ting Xuan re-appears as the arrogant, debonair and over confident 1st young master.  Glad to see Steven flexing his acting chop here as Lai Fu and Ting Xuan.

And I like Yong En, too -- Zhang Meng performed well so far.  Though I am happy to see different faces (as opposed to the same old same old TVB faces) I still find WSQ  wooden and expressionless or just plain ott with his obsessive concern over Yong En. His performance is not touching but rather annoying for me to watch.

Oh, did I say Ting Xuan is very handsome? Well, he is..very.. handsome!

Circles March 12 2013

1圈圈 March 12 2013 10:30-11:00 馬浚偉:內地劇《鴛鴦佩》一人分飾兩角

Steven speaks of his double roles in mainland tv series  "Predestined fated for life?" aka 《鴛鴦佩》.






Steven's entanglement with his female artists

Given the ceaseless huge number of hits on Steven-Sonija Scandal here I did this snippet on Steven's past entanglements with fellow entertainment artists.

2003 News Report revisited in 2013
When asked if still will be friends with his past romantic rumored girlfriends: Astrid Chan, Tai Wan Wai (戴蘊慧) Ada Choi and Sonija Kwok; Steven answered sternly: "Astrid and I have no problems remaining friends, she had disagreement with Sheila Chan (陳淑蘭), not with me. But now she is blissfully in love, and since we work in different places, we seldom keep in touch. Tai Wan Wai - that's all water under the bridge now, these days we still talk on the phone now and then.  As for Ada, please (to all media) do not give us pressure. We are all along only been in the good friends and colleagues's relationship mode. (When reporter was about to mention Sonija, as if knowing how to lip read, Steven quickly forestalled the question: "Her', no comments!"  source report: 2003 SM on life, death, love & desire

Reconciliations and Forgiveness:
Ms. Tai's public apology to Steven in her 2000 book "真心话" for willfully causing him  grief .

Despite being badly used and mercilessly maligned by the media, to this day Steven is still friend with her as evinced by the below 2010 news report excerpt.

Ms. Tai called for assistance with her late father's funeral.  2010 news report: Tai Wan Wai thanked numerous friends for helping her with her father's funeral preparation including Cally Kwong and Steven Ma. "Ma Jai knows a lot more people than I so he gave lots of advice."

Sonija and Steven's late 2002-early 2003 Scandal
Reconciled in 2010 when they finally buried the hatchet when they attended Starhub awards event in Singapore.  Much have written about their reconciliation when they filmed 7 Days. Now they are good friends. Sonija even considers Steven as one of her very few close man friends in the entertainment circle.

Steven's 2010 weibo on Astrid
10/28/2010  6:30 Once there was a friend. I thought if I treated her well, perhaps, conscious of it she would reciprocate in kind! But, because of various reasons, I hurt her, and she hurt me, too! Today, we met again and talked at length of the past. Turn out, who owes who is actually not important at all. Maybe the starlight of that time was bright but, it does not mean tonight’s moonlight will not regain its brightness! Friend, it’s all in the heart! In the heart! 

Tamaya: At first, I thought Steven meant Sonija, and I wondered why he would bring it up again -- and then there was this line, "Today, we met again and talked at length of the past. " Today? Didn't they reconcile during their filming of 7 Days? Then I saw the pictures posted on steven-ma.org and I knew he must have meant Astrid Chan, who reportedly had had a fallen out with him because of some misunderstand years ago. Congratulations to Steven for mending yet another friendship.

Astrid Chan's 2010 weibo on Steven
It had been a long, long time since I last had had a good chat with Steven Ma. In VIP Today's interview, I rediscovered that sense of mutual candor between us. We have not collaborated ever since Healing Hands 1; the feeling he gave me is that he has not changed; he's still the quintessential traditional man. Really enjoyed this interview, hope you all will too

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

YYP's trailer on Lai Fook and Yong En

Not sure if with the Hunan broadcast or SM fanmade, like how WSQ fans made the many trailers floating online that had caused so much grief to Steven's fans thinking they were Hunan's YYP trailers. The video clip is most probably cut from a complete trailer.


credit: sm baidu


News Report on Steven Ma as SK-II

link lady max
News report on Steven as guest in  the SK-II promotion in the departmental store,  Grand Buy, (广百百货)  in Guangzhou Mall.

click to enlarge pix



credit sm baidu bar
related news reports - huge crowd surrounded Steven at the even

Monday, March 11, 2013

Yuan Yang Pei - updated with a clearer video link

3/28/2013 Edited: A clearer dvd version link - dy120.com

This airing of series is just a test market, crude version as opposed to the official version that will be aired on Anhui Satellite Channel in September.  Don't understand why air an inferior product in the first place, giving bad 1st impression and also probably affecting Anhui tv ratings.

Episode 1 has no Tang Ting Xuan so did not upload video. Goto to youtube for episode 1.  Without the ads, the video is slight over 32 mins to 38 mins long.

Below are the edited Steven only screen time videos. That's how little screentime he had so far, which is not much.

Ting Xuan 1st appearance vid clip - epi 2

UPDATED: Yuan Yang Pei airing now

VIDEOS UPLOADED ON YOUTUBE

Mar 12 - will air 6 episodes in a row at 7 pm.  

Mar 11th stream Yuan Yang Pei on these 2 links now for 3 episodes in a row starting 9 pm

fengyunzhibo.com
haoqu.net

1st 3 episodes.
So draggy!
So cliche!
So boring!
So disappointing!
And not used to the dubbing!

Steven has been relegated to 2nd male lead with limited screen time. And the storyline promoted as Yong En and Qi Jun's fated-for-life love story,  and Ting Xuan and Lai Fu are just sidelines to their story. Haiz!

And Wang Shao Qi's acting was so stiff.  And some of the others were ott dramatic. Steven's performance was just ok (maybe dubbing made it seemed a bit unnatural) but of the cast I like Yong En's the most.  At least she has the demure, period look. (epi 2-3)

Did I say 'so draggy'? So very draggy and Chiung Yao's melodramatic!

Hope the next few episodes with Lai Fu will be better that previous, but I'm not holding my breath!

Steven's newest makeover

Steven's experimenting with new looks -- a photoshoot for his music album?

Here's one. You like?  Too much hair? Jawline's not well defined?  Hmm!


Resembles Donnie Yen? No?

Saturday, March 9, 2013

UPDATED Mar 10th: Yuan Yang Pei

Yuan Yang Pei will air on Hunan online channel site (湖南电视剧频道)on Monday, March 11@7:30 pm for 3 consecutive episodes per night. But Hunan channel has changed the name 《鸳鸯佩》 to 《缘定终生?》(Fated to be together for life?)

Supposedly, can watch on these links
湖南电视剧频道在线直播地址:http://dianshiju.hunanzhibo.com/  (doesn't worked for me)
芒果tv---直播----“电视剧” :http://live.imgo.tv/ (need to dl software)
好趣网湖南电视剧频道在线直播地址:http://www.haoqu.net/3/hunan/hndsj.html (worked for me)
风云直播在线直播地址:http://www.fengyunzhibo.com/group/17926-qqp70rqr.htm (worked for me)

It is tentatively scheduled to air on Anwei Satellite Channel 《安徽卫视) sometime in September.

From the trailer, Steven's character has become the 2nd male lead. haiz! With the name change, the storyline looks like the romance between the Yong En and the other guy (forgot his name) and that Steven's the bad man who comes between them. So not looking forward to the series anymore. The whole trailer is so cringeworthy.
youku

Apparently, the trailer is a hoax -- Wang Shao Qi fan did the whole video.  Haiz! No wonder it totally centers around WSQ's character.   I've deleted the video but not the youku link here. 



sports

badminton


Knew Steven plays table tennis but had never seen a pix of him playing it. Just saw this posted on weibo - credit as labeled


Bowling -  Change of Destiny promo.


golf

Friday, March 8, 2013

Praise for Steven

TVB veteran Law Koon Lan 羅冠蘭 can only count a few good tvb artists she has worked with.

Of course would be happy to encounter a good partner, but she can only count a few good ones on her fingers including Wong Hei, Johnson Li, Sunny Chan and Steven Ma - including being puncture and serious in their work. 當然,遇到好對手,也是她的欣慰,信手拈來,就有王喜、李思捷、陳錦鴻、馬浚偉等等好幾位 當中有守時有處事認真


credit appledaily

2001 Photo

credit 龍劍飛 weibo

Steven is quite an all rounded artist.
-- he acts
-- he sings
-- he cooks
-- he writes
-- he plays the guitar, the electronic key (drums, too?)
-- he composes music
-- he writes lyrics
What else?
- plans to write scripts, direct, produce.

2012-12-12 18:05
Just finished the music composition and the lyrics portion of the song. 

Mini concert canvassing

3月8日 22:04 So.... if .....later at different places hold either an autograph concert or a mini concert...can or not? You all will support?Sandy劉玉儀 3/08/21:36  (Tsui Jie's replacement): Guangzhou friens were so ardent! 4th Brother's charisma....powerful!





Guess Steven's putting feelers out to check support for his upcoming mini concerts. He did drop hints in his news reports about doing a smattering of mini concerts in N. America and in the mainland, hope he can realize that.

Do go and leave your support for Steven to have concerts in N.America or city of your choice. 

UPDATED Mar 9th: Guangzhou SK-II skin care promo

Updated March 9: link to more photos

Baidu album link2:

Steven is a head above the crowd.





March 8th 2013 4 pm - 5pm
The Skin is the Proof promo - 5 contestants deemed having best skin would be awarded with SK-II prizes. At this day of Women's Day (Mar 8th), SK-II especially invited Steven Ma to participate in their skin care promo in the Guangzhou departmental store, Grand Buy  (广百天河中怡店). Not sure if he is the SK-II spokesperson or not.

Some weiboans said they waited 2 hours ahead but there was already a big crowd.  As evinced by the photos and words of those who attended, the turnout and response were huge. Happy for Steven - very gratifying to see such a warm and enthusiastic welcome.  He has reposted many of the pictures uploaded on weibo.

Nice suit but don't understand why Steven likes to button up his shirt collar, looks so old-fashioned.credit last pix 阿健-Like_Manchi fullscreen link

As usual, weiboans praised Steven's good looks and his good skin. All said he is so much, much more handsome in person than on screen or in print.  They said crowd was so packed they could hardly move to get close to Steven. "So unbelievable len jai (handsome)" (靓仔到无得顶吖)

17:08 +18:29 weibo: So crowded. Real person so len jai (handsome), skin is so fair and flawless and fine pored. So gentlemanly and stylish. How come real person is so much, much more handsome than on tv? Look even better in my video recording. So close, I could reach out and touch his face. There was this one moment I had this impulse to touch his face.  So worth waiting 2 hours or more. I'm still so excited.(condensed paraphrase)

Below are just some of the clearer pix posted on weibo. Lots more on weibo.

weibo mar 7

3/8/2013 12:36 Guangzhou, here I come. 
3/5/2013 18:45 : To me only this one phrase: No very diligent, just more diligent. Thankful!

The 1st song,"2nd Buffalo" (二牛) self composed melody and lyrics and sang has successfully completed. Praise the lord! But "2nd Buffalo" is responsible for the 'full package" of the other 5 songs. Pressure!


@Sandy劉玉儀 Today's March 5th 2013 is a day to be remembered! After a long preparation, 4th Brother's new music album commences..studio recording! Thankful! [太開心][太開心]


3/4/2013 18:45 Brain is full of melody and words, starting to get clog! Not good, gotta transform into Bumblebee to play outside.