Steven Ma Chun Wai Fanblog

2003 Afternoon Tea Radio Interview

2012-02-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

2003 Radio Interview. (Mandarin)
Steven promoting his 2003 Mandarin album, Romantic Holidays, in China.

album being promoted

baidu link to music album covers: here
Transcript on speaking Mandarin and on dubbing @ 18:51

H =Host
S= Steven

H: Actually, Steven, your Mandarin is so much more better than I expected.
S: Actually making this Mandarin album I ...
H: Have you done it before?
S: Actually, way back I did release a Mandarin album in Taiwan, around 1995. Did some promotion there and learned some Mandarin. Later when I returned to Hong Kong I liked to speak Mandarin. Also even back then around 1995 I watched quite a lot of Mandarin tv programs, and often read the newspaper aloud in Mandarin. To me, this is important.

H: Like how we practice broadcasting.
S: Right, I think this is very important. But luckily in Hong Kong I have many friends who can speak Mandarin well so I had them speak Mandarin with me.

H: In your past tv series aired in Mainland they are all dubbed by others in Mandarin?
S: Yes, all dubbed by others.

H: Next time no need to have others dubbed, appreciate both Steven's voice and his series simultaneously, to get a complete Steven.

S: What I'd like to say is this: regardless tv series or movie, if it is in Mandarin I really hope to dub it myself. It maybe that some of my pronunciation is still not of standard precision but I think if I had the script beforehand I would have time to do some homework preparation and during filming I would exert my very best to precisely pronounce the lines because I believe during the acting process, line delivery is a great help, to help you project the emotion and actions.

H: Very true, voice is also part of the within acting. Steven, keep working on it.

sina blog source
他真的的好帅好帅，肤色也很诱人，呵呵，他就是马浚伟，大家都叫他马仔。

这期节目是他出《浪漫假期》专辑来郑州宣传时的直播通告。我记得他上节目的那天，我们台里好多女生男生跑到我办公室要他签名和合影，想不到帅马一点架子都没有，都一一满足了。

其实对于内地的朋友，我们熟悉马浚伟是从他演的一些戏开始的。从《一号皇庭》第四部和第五部，到我们熟得不能再熟悉的《鹿鼎记》里的小玄子康熙，再到《非常保镖》中那个看了就让人生厌的阔少爷，还有98年演出《妙手仁心 I》的陈卓尧，马浚伟演绎了一个又一个生动而让人过目不忘的人物。

马浚伟这张《浪漫假期》专辑是他第一次在内地发片，是一张新歌+精选专辑，由中唱上海公司引进出版的。当时带他来做节目的就是中唱上海的邸莉莉，和邸姐认识多年，她带过好多歌手到我节目里。
虽然他从1994年开始就在香港发行自己的个人专辑，之所以一直没有在内地发片，一方面由于马仔一直忙于电视剧的拍摄制作，没有能够做宣传的档期，另一方面也是考虑到内地歌迷对专辑的整体要求更加高一些，在有了大量歌曲的积累之后他才有了发片的打算。

这张《浪漫假期》专辑收录了四首国语和七首粤语歌曲，是从他之前的四张专辑中精挑细选出来的，对我们来说是一张新专辑，可对于马仔自己而言，这已算得上是一张精选了。

马仔好亲和，从这期节目里也能听的出来，还有他很热情很健谈，整个节目过程非常的愉快。要重点说下马仔的好声音，大家从歌声中也能觉得出来，暖暖的，沙沙的，又很阳刚，我的同事江帆当时听了节目就说他的声音盖过了我们台所有的男播，呵呵，真的，他声是很厚实那种，又极有磁性。

吴桐

Passenger's Fake Kangxi ID card almost cost him his flight

2012-02-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

source: sina entertainment news

2/21/2012 His Majesty, Emperor KangXi, wanted to catch a flight to Chongqing, China, but was instead detained by airport security. Yesterday at 1 pm, wanting to catch the flight to Chongqing, Mr. Zhang arrived at Bai Yun Airport security check point. When the security personnel examined Mr. Zhang's identity card, the former noticed that the name on it was Aixin Jueluo, Xuan Ye. Turn out that this Mr. Zhang because of being playful had pasted a street bought sticker on the emblem back side of the card. However, the sticker inadvertently obscured the man's id card authorization data so its authenticity could not be readily validated.The situation was further aggravated when the sticker could not be readily peeled off from the card. The time lost trying to validate the authenticity of card almost cost the passenger his flight.The airport security cautioned the public not to casually stick anything on the identity card creating security problems for them, subsequently delaying the whole boarding process.

*******************************************

I bet Steven received 100s of weibo tags to the news report. His weibo reply:

Steven Ma: Old Domd's drama picture....fortunately not me taking it to board a plane. Frankly, should not use this plaything for real, illegal at the same time inconvenient other people. Don't la!

TN: I wasn't going to post the news here but it was just too funny to resist. The news originated in Guangzhou newspaper quickly spread like a wild fire onto other newspapers, and it is now very 'hot' on weibo garnering thousands of replies and being reported in numerous tv stations in China. Poor Steven, lying flat on the ground still get shot.

Top 10 common responses on weibo in no particular order:
1) What an idiot!
2) Well, at least he's pretty good looking (for those who don't know SM)
3) That looks like Steven Ma, no?
4) Haha! That's Steven Ma la
5)Steven lying flat on the ground still get shot
6) Wah, he looks a lot like Steven Ma.
7) The best looking young Kangxi in DOMD
8) Lol, so funny!
9) I want that sticker. Where can I get it?
10) So stupid!

********************************************

Posted 26 May 2010 - 11:59 PM AF SM thread
I've posted this Kangxi pix of Steven before a few years back, but 2-3 weeks ago, a funny incident brought it back into limelight. And just yesterday, Steven found out about that incident and posted a news snippet on it in his weibo. I can imagine Steven's cracking up at discovering his Emperor Kangxi transcending time. Those unscrupulous bootleggers must have found this id on Steven Ma baidu or Xiao Xuan Zi baidu, and made money out of it. Ingenious! IIrc, a Steven fan designed this identity card a few years ago and uploaded online.

paraphrase of a news snippet
To get the interest of the primary and middle students, toys bootleggers sure wrack their brains. They even had Emperor Kangxi’s identity card for sell. May 6th 2010, while patrolling a neighborhood, the police noticed that a store next to an elementary school had 2 bags of Emperor Kangxi’s identity cards. According to the store owner, these identity cards were bought by merchants from a nearby wholesale market. Each bag contained 2-ID packets priced at 5ct each. Most of the buyers were students who collected the card as a kind of toy. The store owner said he had so far sold Cao Cao’s ID and Han Wudi’s, which all sold very well. Because this Emperor Kangxi’s identity cards were not legal identity card, the police duly confiscated these two bags of Emperor Kangxi’s ID cards.

Steven only just found out about this incident where he supposedly transcended time to today’s world, he laughed and said: “I’m curious to see for myself the identity card."

*************************************************

Steven's Kang Xi portrayal is arguably the best loved and classic to mainland tv audience. Steven's face is conjured up at the mention of young Emperor Kangxi to these people. But the prices of these ID card or sticker can now cost up to 20 rmb each these days.

.

source sm baidu

weibo 2/22/2012 Roast pig or suffused with luck?

2012-02-22T09:13:00.001-05:00

2/22 16:32 Flushed face? Had become a roast pig! //@蓉蓉細語：Grand master piggy flushed face, good luck approaching.

weibo 2/21/12 promo for Daddy Good Deed

2012-02-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

18/3 and 22/3 promo event Everybody don't forget to support! Daddy Good Deed, (tn:aka Prosperous Father) everyone prosperous. sign Fatt Dat gor. 18/3和22/3在香港有宣傳活動呢大家記得支持喇! 當旺爸爸個個當旺發達哥字

steven ma baidu weibo

Updates notice

2012-02-21T08:58:00.002-05:00

see the 10 most popular weiboan responses to the Fake Kangxi id card

Weibo re fake Emperor Kangxi id card

2012-02-21T00:20:00.000-05:00

Old Domd's drama picture....fortunately not me taking it to board a plane. Frankly, should not use this plaything for real, illegal at the same inconvenient other people. Don't la! 多年前鹿鼎記的劇照......還好不是我拿去登機說實在，不該拿這玩意去當真，違法又影響別人，不好呢！

Steven referring to the post below about fake Emperor Kangxi id card.

Emperor Kangxi boarding a plane

2012-02-20T23:19:00.002-05:00

Haha! Steven's Kangxi id has been floating around on the net for the longest time. Supposedly to be one of the top seller of fake ids. Now it even made it to the news. The headline: Emperor Kangxi boarding a plane? At the Guangzhou Bai Yun airport, a male almost missed his plane because he had the fake id sticker taped on the emblem side of his id card. Although the other side of the id had the male's proper info the sticker inadvertently covered up the issue and expiration dates.

weiboan responses:
1) That's no Kangxi, that's Steven Ma.
2) Well, at least he's pretty good looking
3) That looks like Steven Ma, no?
4) Haha! That's Steven Ma la
5)Steven lying down also get shot by gun
6) Wah, he looks a lot like Steven Ma.
7) The best looking Kangxi in all of DOMD
8) What a cute Kangxi.
9) I want that sticker. Where can I get it?
10) Steven Ma is red hot now, all over the paper.

sina news

His Majesty, Emperor KangXi, wanted to catch a flight for Chongqing but was instead arrested by airport security. Yesterday at 1 pm, wanting to catch the flight for Chongqing, Mr. Zhang arrived at Bai Yun Airport security check point. When the security personnel examined his identity card, he noticed that the name on it was Aixin Jueluo, Xuan Ye. Turn out that this Mr. Zhang because was being playful pasted a street bought sticker on the emblem back side of the card. The airport security cautioned the public not to casually stick anything on the identity card making it difficult for identification, subsequently delaying the board process.

Steven playing the flute

2012-02-20T21:52:00.000-05:00

see related material: hengdian Steven's practicing on the flute. fan videos - steven goofing around

2012-02-20T14:23:00.000-05:00

2/20/2012 News on Ray Lui in LOYEF

source: steven-ma.org

Better Halves MV

2012-02-20T13:19:00.001-05:00

One of my most favorite series. And this mv nicely captured the essence of the whole series.
video creator unknown. Steven said after 5 days (on tv) (this 2007 report said 3 days) of working together, there was already this incredible tacit understanding of each other's acting. In 2007 Steven considered Maggie his best onscreen partner 2007 report And I think in 2009-2010 Steven still chose Maggie as his best onscreen partner. Wonder if that has changed since then partnering with Sonija.

Better Halves related material

2005 Steven doing social works - Updated

2012-02-20T12:38:00.000-05:00

2005 Steven doing social works (Realizing Celebrity's Dream) at TVB8

Transcript on Steven's commentation only
My first job to apply after graduating high school was for a social worker assistant position. But I did not get it. First, because I was too young (tn: was 16 years old). Second, because my grades were not good enough. So did not get the job. At that time, I was disappointed. But today, I'm rather happy because finally I have a chance to feel how it's like being a social worker.

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. Including at school, at work. I feel that I was quite lucky at people helping me. Enabling me to do a lot and resolving many problems. Hence, I didn't get on the wrong track. So to me, helping others or giving opportunity to others is very important. Because I myself have received a lot. So if it is within my effort, I hope to help other people.

I think when I was young I was still very naive. But in Form 3 (Grade 9) I got into society, studying and working at a part-time job simultaneously. I experienced a lot and encountered many people. And also got to know a lot of people older than me. Their influence on me was rather big. They taught me a lot. Even working at a part time job, my supervisor was a very decent boss. He too had given me a lot of opportunities.

Actually, after my Form 5 graduation, the first job application letter that I mailed out was for the position of a social worker assistant. That was only for an assistant. If want to be a certified social worker, one has to pass an exam to get the license. It's not like just because you want to be one, then you can do it. So at that time, I thought to myself I couldn't even meet the requirement to be a social worker assistant what's more a social worker. Because my grades were not high level enough. Because the minimum requirement was at least Form 7 but I had only Form 5 level grades. They also returned a rejection letter to me saying sorry and thank you for your sincerity but we couldn't accept your application. At the time, I thought to myself wanted to help but couldn't even help? Maybe because social work is a professional job so you (applicants) need to take exams, a certain level of qualification, only then would they let you slowly work from the bottom up. But then I couldn't got back to school again, so would have to see in future if there were other opportunity in some other avenue to help out to realize this dream. So today can be considered a success to realizing that dream.

They said generally after a fund raising event, they would do something to commend the involved colleagues because the latte had put in their best efforts. To me this is very important because when one did something but it was completely ignored by others and nobody encouraged, naturally one would feel some disappointment. But they have a practice in that they seldom especially point out the part where someone did not do it well. On the contrary, they (social workers) would use a positive reinforcement thinking to encourage them by emphasizing the stuff they did well. And seldom point out the stuff they did not do that well. To me, this is a very motivational aspect which I appreciate very much.

Juvenile problems are undoubtedly very serious. Because I feel all of us between the ages of 15 to 20 that period is when we are most likely to absorb the bad influences. If during this time period we received, be it from our teachers or the social workers, some positive outlook, I think our paths in the future would be much smoother to travel.

I think juvenile delinquency is one of the more serious problems faced. (tn: in society) . I feel if we can bring to them a positive outlook, hope, or some influential aspect, this may greatly influence their future path. This (impact) cannot be underestimated.

Because I grew up in Sham Shui Po, some of you may know, at that time Sham Shui Po was truly...when I was young, it (tn: the place) was truly very complex. Yellow (tn:pornography), gambling, drugs all there, truly they were all there. The problem of secret societies, many many. I've had also witnessed my schoolmates around me because of weak willpower, can say they turned bad but I always said how come I myself also grew up in the same environment but didn't turn bad. I think it is because I had a good family, good teachers and good friends, people around me were willing to guide me. Many were willing to give me opportunities. I believe if one can be good, nobody chooses to be bad.

You can let them test out their direction to take. Of course, you have to guide them from the sideline. For instance, I say I want to go to disco to see how it's like. To me this is fine. I think you can let him check it out. Because the more you tried to prevent him from checking it out the more he wants to do it. And once he sees he would say it was no big deal after all.

I've just participated in an activity. Like Coach Liu said, the team spirit is very important, and mutual trust, too. He insists that before participating you must say I'm very confident, do you all support me? Everybody must give him a very big response which is "support". After he succeeded and came down, they all would give him a celebration which is, congratulate him. Actually these two small acts represent the sharing of mutual support and contribution and outcomes - I feel they all came through in this activity. It's very meaningful.

Don't mistakenly think I'm having lunch right now. Actually, I'm with the real social workers in the cafeteria below the social center located inside the building. There are some social work trainees working in this cafeteria so I came down with a social worker to better understand their situations.

I've never thought that helping you is to give you something. Honestly, I never see it that way. I feel if you want to help people the way to do so is to make sure that in the future they can help themselves, they can take care of themselves. This is the real help. If I want to help you, I take care of you for life now that is not helping you only harming you. I want to help you to be self-sufficient and can independently take care of yourself. Know how to take care of yourself and later take care of other people. That's how it should be.

Actually, I think their dancing is really wonderful; it's great. I feel this street break dance, erm, maybe many seniors or parents feel that this kind of dancing, turning and spinning on the floor, feel that only a group of juvenile delinquents would gather together to dance this kind of dance. To me this kind of thinking is wrong because this kind of motivational force is very strong. This is a very difficult dance to perform. Also they are passionate about this kind of dance so I very much like to talk with them. To find out their reactions to other people's viewpoints on them and about their feelings or aspirations for this dance.

When people grow they will have their own experiences, and often times look upon their own thinking as the right viewpoint. Basically, can't say it is wrong to think this way. We have experiences, we have traveled some roads, we are aware of problems and we don't want those young people or those younger than us to travel the same erroneous paths as we did. So often times, we thought of our own thinking to be the standard answer, so always difficult to connect (tn:between adults and youngsters). We always seem to be on the opposite sides of an issue, and thus conflicts exist. So the only way is to first cast aside our own belief. Because we are more mature, more experienced. We should be able to back down a step, to let go of our belief so that we can listen to what they have to say, and to see from their viewpoint.

Female voice: Social workers are not salespeople so cannot hard sell on life outlook. This, Steven is much aware of. Towards a sad case, they (tn: sw) can only silently wish that person well.

Steven: There was this 12 year old girl. I talked with this 12 year old girl, for a long time. She has just taken some pills.‘FING头丸’ , still woozy. She's only12 years old. But she told me she has been taking soft drugs for 2 years already. So, that means she started at 10 years old. 10 years old only she has already started taking drugs. I feel really saddened. So I asked her if there is any way for her to stop doing drugs? I said don't do it. She said, started as a 10 year old girl, can't stop it anymore, has become a habit. That kind of... made me feel very disheartened. I really hope.. I said to her I really hope you would find you would ask them to help you to get rid of your drug addiction, go back to study, go back to school. I don't know if she did or not look them up. But I hope she did. Such a waste. So young in age.

Female voice: Finally the most difficult stage. Steven along with the social worker talks to street juveniles. Before setting out, must listen to instructions.

Steven: So inside this social work building I've had discussions with the social workers and have talked to the youngsters, so now there is this more challenging situation, which is to be an outdoor social worker trainee to talk to some youngster. A bit scared but will do my best.

Social worker: There are three techniques. First, don't ask them why so late at night they are still not home. Second, don't you need to be at school tomorrow? It is good to be at school, everybody knows that. Third, whatever they say we will not immediate rebut them with suspicion or sarcasm. Maybe our experiences are more than them or that their thinking or deeds we know is implausible but we will not bluntly say that. Maybe that was just a way to protect themselves or not real but nevertheless we would not point that out right there and then. Like how can that be, you must be lying.

Steven: Maybe because I have performed in many tv series so I was quite happy to see them treating me like a friend or a big brother. Anyway, I grew up in the same environment as they. So maybe that's why, at least to me, I didn't feel any distance. None at all. So maybe that's why they felt as if talking to a friend.

After today, I feel they are great. My aspiration at that time (tn: verses today) really.. a lot of feelings. Hopefully in the future, as an artist I hope I can continue to do more of this kind of work.

We really must be aware of our own words and deeds. I won't dare to say I did well, but I am truly very careful of my own words and actions. I know they may influence other people. I don't want to inflate these two words, "helping others" to sound so great. Because everybody needs to help someone, at the same time, also needs help from other people. During the process of so-called helping people, you yourself also benefited from it. We all must cherish ourselves. Even if many people want to help us we must help ourselves first. First do well by ourselves, and when faced with problems, someone stretches out a helping hand to us, that way will be perfect. I believe many people know it is not easy to be a social worker. After today as a social worker trainee I feel happy. But there is one thing I can ascertain is that if we want to communicate with the youngsters and people younger than us, we must first put the adults' acknowledged beliefs. We truly must cast that aside first to break down the barrier first, only then can we share our experiences with them so that they can have a better life.

source: Uploaded by oldmor on Feb 19, 2012 @ youtube

related material: News: Steven empathizes with youth.
book essay: Insist on calling it angst
Book: [向好走　向坏走] Headed the Right Path, Headed the Wrong Path.

Steven and Maggie's video

2012-02-20T12:27:00.000-05:00

Steven at Maggie's birthday karaoke party.

Don't know what year but probably around the time of Better Halves 2003

Maggie and Steven singing the duet closing themesong for Better Halves

Steven live singing

2012-02-20T01:40:00.001-05:00

bu liao qing 不了情

Steven Ma sings 东方之珠

Maggie Cheung met up with Steven Ma to play badminton

2012-02-20T00:18:00.002-05:00

@youtube by phoebechien0112
The highlight in the video is the cap on Steven's head, the very same hat (clue) on Maggie's weibo. haha!

Maggie Cheung, who is in Hengdian shooting the ancient drama, Lady Prime Minister, took advantage of her one day break to meet up with Steven Ma, who is also in Hengdian shooting his series, LOYEF, to play badminton. Steven brought along with him two other expert badminton players with him to play double. Steven said: She has the strokes because Maggie plays tennis.

source: HKchannel

weibo badminton with Maggie Cheung

2012-02-19T23:46:00.002-05:00

2/18 18:00 Last night Maggie Cheung posted this terse message on her weibo: "Playing badminton", which unexpectedly created much excitement 2244 shipper. (22 (2nd Miss) - Maggie Cheung's nickname among fans, 44 (4th brother) - Steven's nickname among fans) Many guessed that she must be playing with Steven. So a guessing game began on her weibo as both her fans and Steven fans chatted up a storm there. The items on her photos were clues to whether her partner was Steven or not. I remember seeing a picture of that cap posted on Steven weibo.And sure enough there it was on Dingdong's head. lol! And another Steven fan pointed out that red badminton looks like the one Steven carried with him when they visited him in Hengdian. Another sharp eyed Steven fan pointed that coke bottle, Steven's favorite drink. lol.

And tada, sure enough it was indeed Steven that Maggie played badminton with yesterday. And that back shot was of Steven. Some weiboan actually thought that person might be Steven and that Maggie took the picture.

weibo 2/19/2012

2012-02-19T23:33:00.001-05:00

2/19 22:06 My scenes in LOYEF are almost done. March is another new start. During the past 4 months I have absolved much new knowledge nutrients, have made many new friends, especially those from LOYEF. I'm starting to miss you all already. But fate is not limited to just this (tn: 4 mths), not limited to so long feelings still exists there will be other meetings, or be limited to just the present. Also, meeting again is not limited to just the present but also in the past, in the past 18 years and in the 18 years yet to come. If all of these: fate, feelings, and people still remain then it will be perfect for sure. Wishing those of you around me peace, good health and happiness.

在建元風雲的戲份快殺青了三月又是一個新開始過去的四個月得了很多新養份交了很多新朋友特別是建元風雲的你們我開始不捨了但緣份不止於此不止於情仍在再會定有期重遇也不限於現在還有過去過去十八年的未來十八年的一切緣在情在人在肯定會是美好的願我身邊的你們都平安健康快樂

Steven sermonizing fans

2012-02-18T01:11:00.001-05:00

Steven's long 'sermon' to fans.

video source: steven fan da hai 2005
Click on Hengdian LOW videos tag to watch other video clips.

So what do celebrity idols and their fans talk about?

In Steven and fans' case, Steven talks philosophy while fans listen quietly. lol!

Listen to the video or read my loose transcript below.

Because the translation is verbatim, some sentences are fragmented per Steven's stream of thoughts.

Listening to the video, I feel Steven's Mandarin nowadays has regressed comparatively.

On Steven's books.
Steven: Of course, one person's effort is not strong enough, but whatever one can do, then do it. That goes for you all too. I hope our fanclub or the fans who like me would not look down on their own ability to influence. If you think you are insignificant, then you are truly insignificant. But if you affirm your own existence worth, you knew you did something today that influenced others, maybe a person or 10 people around you, and so moved by you they in turn try to influence someone else. Teacher Tang had said that if the world is less me then there is no another me on earth. It is the same for everybody. Don’t minimize your effort. All these individual efforts combined together can make an impact.

So I often will through my work, because I’m an artiste, like in a magazine interview, or newspaper, or on tv program, I would sometimes bring up this kind of topic. Of course, it is up to them whether to report it or not. Because they thought this topic was boring. (Fan: HK media is very batgua -gossipy) So I decided to write my own books instead. For sure, there got to be people who would want to read them. Doesn’t matter how many. At least in mainland China, the book (tn: Why suicide?) has sold at least close to 20 -30 thousand copies. Though not consider enormous but still this kind of social book is usually not very popular. 20,000 people – not bad at all. Say that reader has a family of 4. 4 x 20,000 will extrapolate to 80,000 people. It is very important to share books. I’ll not force people to buy my books but to pass the books around to other people to read. That’s what books are for – to be circulated among people. That way the positive thinking and ideals can be disseminated. Whether good or bad ideals they are all disseminated through people.

So our fanclub fans, you all must have this kind of spirit. Understand? Haha! Because I feel the lacking in myself so I read a lot and converse a lot with the seniors and veterans. A person’s moral character and what inside, be it character or thinking. China has these traditional moral precepts that now to present day people seem very old fashioned but they are all very real. We should in this era preserve these Chinese traditional ideals. Fans too much preserve them.

Haha! So boring! (tn: laughing at himself) In Hong Kong if I talked about things like these they would ignore me. If I talked about this to them, they would say there Ma Zai goes again. But some are ok like Wenweipo, Takungpao and Mingpao, in their interviews they still let me touch on this subject. (TN: I can imagine reporters rolling their eyes at Steven and hiding their yawns.)

Teacher Tang Jun Yi (唐君毅 ) has a book entitled: Experiences of life. (人生之体验) . A really good book. I’ve read it many times already. I’ve brought it along with me on this trip. … (tn: he expands on the book.) One statement -- Do today well, don’t worry about the yet-to-come (tn: future - wei lai) why, because they are yet to come. Concentrate on doing today well, retrospect on yesterday to influence today and prepare today to influence tomorrow because tomorrow is still unknown. And extrapolate today to a week to a month to a year. What you do this year will sure to influence next year and 10 years down the road or the lifetime. I’m interested in reading contemporary philosophy books. (Fan: How about self-enrichment books?)

Self-enrichment books? Like in the past I had also read books like Chicken Soup series or how to be a millionaire. (Fan: no no, I meant books written on how people improve their life quality.) I don’t read these kinds of books anymore. Presently it is 2005, in 2003 I started studying the Chinese history, contemporary philosophy and Teacher Tang’s books, and Ma Ke Si. I read their books to understand to understand the whole China’s psyche and beliefs, to understand the revolution of thinking. And also read book on Cultural Revolution. Maybe should not touch on this here. (tn: politics) Actually I’m interested in all books that concern China but books on like how to be successful, I seldom read. Of course, they are beneficial to read and learn from them. But I feel we have to start from bottom basic, to first take care of our inside, here (heart) and here (mind) and if we do, we would naturally understand. I have to keep this notion in mind that the more I study the less I know. (Fan brings up The 80/20 Rule or discussion.) That 20% of population use their heads to do things while 80% others use their bodies to do things. And fan praises Steven to have high EQ and IQ. Upon hearing that, Steven jests that he is floating in the air as he tiptoe.
******************************************************************************
Steven's favorite maxim: Moral is not alone, will have neighbors

Source: Fantasia - Condensed excerpts

Steven likes to recite poetry, writes on the side, and waxes poetic on life philosophy. Naturally, those who like him see him as interesting and witty; whereas, those who don’t, a frivolous show-off.

“I don’t commit crimes. I’m only doing my own thing. I’m not bothered by how other people see me.”

True, philosophy discourses are not a crime in itself, but problem is, entertainment circle has no use for culture pretenses.

“In this world, there must be someone who approves of me, but, probably won’t be from the entertainment circle.”
...........
“I don’t harm people or commit crimes. All I did was walk the path I choose. Ups or downs, I’m the pilot. Why do you care?”

True. There are just too many eyes in the entertainment circle.

He has never minded how people see him, much less compromise his principles. For instance, 2 years ago, during an interview with a certain magazine, he was effusively dropping quotes from the works of contemporary Confucian scholar, Tang Jun Yi, and learned scholar, Professor Lu Wei Luan. Although never attended any of their classes, Steven kept referring them as Teacher Tang and Teacher Lu. The reporter insinuated that he was being a voluble show-off. Today, he is still Teacher Tang here and Teacher Lu there, showing no sign of embarrassment.

“I revere them so why can’t I address them as “teacher”? Just like those who believe in God, bible quotes flow freely from their mouth, too. So are they showing off, too? I believe there must be people of like mind as me. But those who identify with me will most likely not from the entertainment circle.”
........
“A lot of people said I act older than my age,” he smiled wryly. “But really, I do find it hard to communicate with the younger generation artistes. They always gathered together to either play video games or discuss anime. I dread engaging in such trivial conversations.

Personality is inborn, but how it is molded depends greatly on one’s life experience. Steven matured early, having to cope with his mother’s cancer and entering the workforce at the age of 16. The horror in entertainment circle is nothing worse than losing one’s own self identity.

“During the 15 years in showbiz, my personality basically has not changed much. But that, in the past, I didn’t dare to speak out. But I dare now.”

“The entertainment circle is very superficial, and very capricious. Turns of event are not within our control. But still, we make our own opportunities.”

----------------------------------------------------------

There are several reasons why I uploaded the video, least of which is to showcase Steven's Mandarin, which after a 1 year or so in China was really good then, sadly it has regressed but hopefully after his 4-month stint there has now improved.

Second, Steven comes across as an eloquent conversationalist who speaks intelligently, confidently and smoothly without even grappling for words to express his thoughts during that lengthy 9 minutes or so monologue, and in Mandarin at that.

Third, Steven is no frivolous celebrity but comes across as a thinker and observer of people, who reads a lot and strives for self-improvement, and delves in philosophy.

Fourth, Steven takes his role model as a celebrity artist very seriously, and he sincerely wants to give back to society through words and deeds .

Fifth, Steven wants to make a difference to society. His book, "Why Suicide?" is stocked in many school libraries in China. And some readers have written to him (from weibo) to thank him because reading that book have changed their perspective on life.

In this video, Steven was serious but if you go through the tagged thread , Hengdian LOW Steven was very playful with his fans, turning them into giggling, happy teenagers, especially in the video where he learns to speak Shanghainese. (Those fans are from Shanghai)

2009 RTHK Radio 5 - My Brilliant Life Program

2012-02-16T14:27:00.001-05:00

RTHK-radio 5-Program My Brilliant Life (光輝歲月) is an hour long in-depth interview with celebrities with Hostess 夏妙然 (Ha Miu Yin) 2009/04/29 .

Gist
Part 3 of interview- Li Hong Lan (by Jacky Cheung (?))
Miu asks what names does he go by. Most people call him Ma Zai, while some employees at work in TVB like to call Siu Ma gor or Xiao Ma ge especially the newly hired staff. Some call him Steven or Chun Wai.Steven himself also like to address his friends their Chinese names.

At the time of the interview Steven has been 15 (sic going to 16) years now in the entertainment industry, Miu asks him what was his most unforgettable moment? Steven says of course there are numerous unforgettable moments in life. His first unforgettable moment was of course when he entered a 1993 singing contest and at the very last minute of the competition when the judging panel announced him as the champion. That very moment was when he felt for the first his most glorious moment in his life. The feeling was very overwhelming especially after so many failures, and to hear the loud applause of recognition from the audience was very emotional and ineffable to describe. Miu says she understands because she too was a champion of a singing competition.

Because of few tickets, only family members and close friends were there to support him. (From a news report, Steven's first girlfriend was there to support him too. Hostess says sometimes contestants did not even know why they joined singing contests but Steven says he knew exactly why he entered the singing competitions because he was the one who registered for each one, since graduating high school. In all he had joined in 44 competitions until he won the championship finally in 1993. The song was Li Hong Lan. He says he competed with almost the same group of contestants who did the rounds of competitions they won like he. read 2002 memoir

Hostess exclaims that's a very difficult song to sing, and Steven says that's exactly why he chose it to pick up extra points. Hostess one beneficial outcome of joining singing competition is to build up one's courage to stand before an audience. Steven agrees that if you could stand on the stage to face an audience, that building of courage would help you enormously to overcome shyness. I think the song, Li Hong Lan, is sang by Jacky Cheung, not Steven. Guess the hostess did not have Steven's video at the competition.

Part 2 of interview Song -- You are my day and night
The transformation from singer to actor -- how difficulty was the adaption? There were also many unforgettable moments in that stage, right? Steven agrees and elaborates on it.

Part 3 of interview
Love relationship - hostess mentions someone to share his 'glorious' (Steven says not glorious more like gratitude moment) Steven talks about how difficult it is to be his girlfriend because of his job and long absence while shooting a series. So his girlfriend has to be extra patient and understanding.

Part 4 of interview - end
What is Steven's future plan? Song -- Miss You Finally

one pen ma: Will sure to meet again

2012-02-16T09:22:00.003-05:00

Certainly Will Meet Again

Have been in Hengdian for almost 4 months now, very happy! During this period besides my shooting the series would be playing badminton, going to the gym and looking for places to eat with the cast members and colleagues of LOYEF during free time. Truly, this kind of close relationship conversely in Hong Kong is not that many.

This is not hard to explain, while in Hong Kong, once work is done, everybody would probably go home. Of course, can also make arrangement to eat or see each other. But in Hengdian, after work everybody usually goes back to the hotel, so meeting up to eat or see each other later becomes a natural action. I have always believe that a person to person relationship besides time can further develop must also depend on fate. The time spent in Hengdian shooting LOYEF has taught me many new things as well as absorbed many new nutrients; can say quite a gain. But most importantly, I have gotten to know many new friends, both cast and crew. We all interacted with sincerity, and this is my biggest harvest.

In a blink of an eye, LOYEF is now close to wrapping up production, truly feel unwilling for it to end. Unwilling, because of that people to people genuine relation that is developed over the short 4 months.

Brothers and sisters of LOYEF, we will certainly meet again, for sure!

weibo 2/15 - muffler present

2012-02-16T00:40:00.001-05:00

2月15日 19:44
Yun Lin Go Liang@何彦霓 indeed possess the virtue of being outwardly refined and inwardly intelligent. Her pair of nimble fingers can easily knit up good looking and warm muffler. This present has had many males in the troupe both envious and jealous espicially Guan ge @攝影大管 Haha! Thank you, Yan Ni

雲林姑娘@何彦霓果然秀外慧中賢良淑德一雙巧手隨意便能編織出如此既好看又溫暖的圍巾這禮物引起多少劇組男士又羨慕又妒忌特別是管哥@攝影大管哈哈謝謝彥霓
何彦霓 is Steven's character's love interest,Yun Lin (gu liang = maiden),in the series .
Steven always has nice things to say about his female-co-stars.

2/16 11:18 Steven reposting the photo from 哈斯高娃的微博 unto his own.

A Watchdog's Tale: Steven speaks Hakka

2012-02-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

Steven speaks Hakka

more vdieos in sm baidu

watch series here

AWT - Ah Gung and Sammi

2012-02-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

Ah Gong and Sammi's becoming a couple and dating scenes are just too precious and so sweet.
The scene where Ah Gong trying to drum up courage to hold Sammi's hand and end up handing a burly man's instead was so hilarious. haha! Admittedly, it is quite lou tou but Steven's performance made the whole scene so very funny. I especially like the shot when Ah Gong and Sammi locked eyes across the street, and Ah Gong, realizing his gaffe, collapses into irrepressible giggles while Sammi looks on with a big smile from ear to ear. I couldn't help but laugh with him as his giggles were so infectious and so naturally performed. I must say both Steven and Linda did extremely well in this scene, imbuing it with such natural sweetness. Bravo to them!

A Watchdog's Tale -- Ah Kung

2012-02-15T19:27:00.000-05:00

My main man, Ah Gong, (Lulu sir quips that he is impressed that people already had to address him as Ah Gong (grandfather) as soon as he was born!) is full of energy and vitality. Phew! thank goodness, Ah Gong turns out better looking than expected, although that's not saying much since my expectation was really, really low to begin with. For one thing his hair does not look as curly. Lol!

Jotting down some of Ah Gong’s characteristics as seen in this ep:
Leadership – authoritatively yelling out to villagers on how to handle the theft.
Quick mind – immediately dismisses the ghost superstition; a thief, he insists, took the gifts not some errant ghost.
Uninhibited manners– rough grapping of Yung Fatt’s clothes, pounding of tabletop and shouting out his innocence
loud voice, boisterous
Very blunt; obvious showing of likes and dislikes on face and through actions;
full of energy & fire, vitality and life
Not siu hei – not petty; don’t hold grudges,
Taken to making quick impression and judgment – took an instant dislike to Lulu sir
Dislike been told what to do - Impertinent, defiant to Lulu sir
Pinups of sexy women in his room
White shirt, black trousers…flip flops.. gold necklace..& curly locks.
I’m liking this Ah Gong already, although he is a bit too loud for my taste. Haha!
As for his Hakka – failed!
Ah Gong's self analysis - that he would never be a thief because he has backbone and self-pride

cheeky, impudent and defiant Ah Gong

Run, Ah Gong, run! Gotta be tough running flip-flopping on his feet. lol! And it's first time for Steven wearing flip-flops too. (or so he claims)

more gifs by 美夕080105 @ steven ma baidu

Rebellious
Defiantly dropping the chicken bone on the ground to his dog.

Salty (just a regular hot-blooded man?)
- display of sexy pin-ups in his room

crude mannerism - arms akimbo

sense of righteousness and self-pride
Gong: I may have nothing but I do have a sense of righteousness & self-pride

screencaps from steven Ma baidu
Translation on Chow Yung Gong's character

Character profile
Gender: Male
Age: 29 years
Occupation: Proprietor of Gong Ping Water and Electrical Project Company in Cheung Sing Village located in Yun Long Township. (Yun Long township in NW New Territories, Hong Kong )

Characteristics
Cheerful and optimistic, valiant and forthright, casual and informal, witty and humorous, and always shows a smiling to people. Loyal to family and friends, warm personality and hospitable, filial to mother, and sees mother as the most important person in his life. He has an uninhibited nature, and gives people an impression of being unmotivated and shiftless. But in actuality he is extremely self-motivated; once a goal is set he will pursue it with courage, resolute and perseverance. Hobbies: play soccer, listen to oldies Cantonese songs.

Background
Yung Gong, generally called “Ah Gong”, is a naïve of Yun Long Cheung Xing village and lives a carefree life. He is slovenly in appearance, regardless of any kind of dress code, his feet are always shod in a pair of flip-flops; content with his own lot.

Yung Gong has lived from young with his mother, Leong Ah Ping. Although his formal education is of high school level only, he, however, not only operates a water & electricity contractor company but also owns a 2-storey house rental, thus enabling his comfortable lifestyle. Yung Gong and his mother are close to each other despite their outward quarrelsome appearance, for in their bickering lies the fun.

The Happening
Yung Gong owns a large piece of empty land, which through his cousin, Tin Yau acting as the intermediary, he has rented to a retired police dog training instructor, Lai Chun Sing for operating a kennel business. 「狗必理犬舍」. Yung Gong is contracted by Chun Sing to take care of the water and electricity stuff, however, Chun Sing demands an extremely high standard in the materials used. Yung Gong does not get the importance of the material used for a kennel and feels that Chun Sing is just being overly nitpicky. The initial goodwill between them gradually erodes, and their mutual dissatisfaction intensifies; outwardly smiling, inwardly sabotaging;, and exchanging blows on the sly.

Yung Gong is impressed by Chun Sing’s superb skillful training of the dogs, but stubbornly refuses to voice his admiration. Although Yung Gong himself also owns a mongrel dog, Ah Wong, but to rural villagers like himself, a dog is just a dog, so he is not completely convinced by Chun Sing’s dog training.

On an aside, Yung Gong and Chun Sing’s daughter, Lai Sing Yu who is a veterinarian, started off like two people from different planets but after numerous contacts, Yung Gong slowly begins to see Sing Yu’s decency and righteousness. Attracted, he decides to pursue Sing Yu. Despite repeated rebuffs he persists. To win her heart, Yung Gong decides to change himself. He finally learns to care for his doggie buddy, Ah Wong, and in time develops a genuine human-canine relationship. One day, Sing Yu’s animal clinic caught on fire, and Yung Gong, jeopardizing his life, rushed into the building and rescued all the animals. Sing Yu was very touched and decided to accept his pursuit of her.

Meanwhile, Yung Gong is wrongly accused by a rich woman, Jeung Tin Ngo, as her kidnapper. Fortunately, because of Chun Sing’s investigative prowess and the help of a retired police dog, Bingo, he is later cleared of the accusation. Henceforth, Yung Gong totally admires Chun Sing and begins to see dog training with a different eye. Yung Gong and Chun Sing have turned from foes to friends. But when Chun Sing finds out that Yung Gong is pursuing Sing Yu, he opposes vigorously. But Yung Gong, heedless of oppositions and overcoming many obstacles, continues to work hard to pursue his happiness. Both are unyielding in their stance; to which the audience does not know whether to laugh or to cry

Later, the villagers discover the real perpetrator of the kidnapping. Also, because of a drug case, the crime mob came to the village seeking revenge, causing much chaos to the village. To protect his home and his loved ones, Yung Gong team up with Chun Sing and Tin Yao, and together with Ah Wong and Bing, fight side by side.

AWT - Steven and Linda ng & rehearsal videos

2012-02-15T17:22:00.000-05:00

AWT tvb.com

sm baidu

Linda keeps flubbing her line so Steven suggests he would say her line she his.

AWT - Dad, meet my boyfriend!

2012-02-15T14:43:00.000-05:00

episode 13
Lulu Sir, meet my boyfriend, Ah Gong!

Poor dejected Ah Gong.

credits caps to: http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kz=696916119

AWT - hospital scene

2012-02-15T14:40:00.001-05:00

For those who prefer melodrama and pathos then this series is not for them. Rather, Watchdog is more for viewers savoring the moment of the scenes, chuckling or laughing over funny lines and their deliverance, and enjoying the characters' facial and bodily expressions. Undoubtedly, this series is more characters and scenes driven rather than by cliffhanging plot. But I find it very relaxing and entertaining to watch the characters' antics and quirkiness, each one of them is so well delineated with their own idiosyncrasies.

For me of course, my focus is on Ah Gong's storyline. Now that he is love smitten, he is definitely getting goofier.

When I saw Ah Gong's bruised lips I didn't think much of it, so he hurt his mouth while rolling down the hill slope. - a little chuckle

Then he goes to the hospital to visit Sammi. He blocks Sammi, whose face is concealed under her cap, from sneaking out of the hospital.

Annoyed at being exposed, Sammi lifts her head to send off killer glares at Ah Gong.

That's when I burst out laughing at the unexpected sight of Sammi's bruised lips identical to Ah Gong's.
Didn't see that coming at all. Their 2nd kiss is just as memorable as their first. haha!

Et tu, Sammi? You, too, Sammi?

Epiphany - Cupid playing with human's love emotion - and Ah Gong is one of his victims. Reminds me of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night Dream.

1st..Poor Ah Gong can't even get a good night sleep without long hair goddess Sammi constantly intruding in his dreams with her offer of love. How did that goddess image come about? Constant attrition will erode even a boulder much less the resistance of a man who cannot even escape into sleep.

2nd.. Ah Gong is suddenly awestruck by his vision of Sammi turning into Sammi, the haloed saint. I tell you, what a poor mortal male, a simple man at that, to do against Cupid's trickery. How can a mortal male resist a goddess and a saint rolled into one perfect woman?

So stricken is he by Cupid's love arrow that he even fights with a dog over the toy touched by his beloved

Nevertheless, a man's baser nature will never give up trying to re-exert itself.

Ah Gong and Ah Fatt ogling a fair morsel.

Betwiched Ah Gong, mushy Ah Gong, starry-eyed Ah Gong. HC Ah Gong (hua chi, love smitten)

Bye! Bye....bye!

bashful of his mushiness

Affectionately calling Sammi as So chu! Stupid pig!

Pick any one of the caps above, paste stars or love over his eyes, and we'll have a (fa ji, lovestruck) poster boy.

compare his above stupid pig remark to the one said to Bear Paw
Bear Paw, you're the stupid pig among all pigs.

Indeed, Ah Gong in love is something to behold.
So everybody knows about it?
Yeah, except Lulu sir and her.

eta:
Truly Cupid's love arrows are potent indeed, day and night; in dreams or in fantasies, there's no escaping them. Poor bewitched Ah Gong!

Resized to 88% (was 512 x 384) - Click image to enlarge

screencaps by 霖霖点点 @ steven-ma baidu