Steven Ma Spokesperson for Canned Ham

hkheadline news; baidu 11/19/2011
Due to Apprentice Chef, Steven Ma spokesperson for canned premium ham.
大廚出馬》帶挈 馬浚偉代言罐頭火腿

Steven Ma (Ma Zai) is currently in mainland Hengdian shooting a mainland grand production tv series, 'Legend of Yuan Empire Founder'. Before leaving Hong Kong, he shot a tv commercial for  "B2 Star European Premium Ham" [B2 星級歐洲 火腿肉」(tn: Ma-Ling brand ) According to the advertiser, after hosting the culinary tv program, Apprentice Chef, Steven's healthy image as someone skilled in cooking and knowledgeable in food has impressed the general public, and matches perfectly with the brand's own superior quality image.  Hence, the advertiser chose Steven over other first line actors as spokesperson.

In Apprentice Chef, Steven had to cook often so his chef image has entered homes, and this is precisely what had attracted the director of "B2 Star European Premium Ham" commercial to Steven.  He arranged several makeovers for Steven appearing as chefs from different countries including: Italy, Spain, Mexico, France and Greece. Steven said the shot was definitely the first of its kind for him

Steven Ma and Charmaine Sheh Collaborated Again

macao daily
2011/11/17
Reporter: 李豐怡

馬仔阿佘再度拍檔
Compare to Steven’s liveliness, the Charmaine I saw on the filming site is by contrast very quiet. In between scenes, she is usually either calling or text messaging on her cellphone. Who is the person on the receiving end; that I don’t know.

Legend of Yuan Empire Founder is Charmaine’s first mainland tv series production after leaving TVB, which can be said to be her first cannonball to attack the Greater China market, hence its (series) significance is major and also packed with hope. Charmaine expresses that regardless of any circumstances, she will allow herself any missteps. Even though she is alone on her own, away from home for months on end in an unfamiliar environment, as to be almost completely cut off from the outside, Charmaine says she can withstand the situation, even back then when she was out in Mongolia on location shooting and life was even more arduous. She jests that she has had it even worse when in the past (tvb) she shot series day in day out without rest and sleep for months in a row, but she still remained sprightly. (精靈??) But then again, after enduring for so many years, her physical stamina is not as before.

Steven Ma on leave from TVB to Shoot Series in Hengdian

馬浚偉攻內地懶理無線  takungpao 11/12
馬浚偉暫離無綫橫店拍劇 singpao

On November 1st, Steven Ma ‘temporarily’ left his TVB home for Hengdian to shoot Director Tsui Siu Ming’s 50-episode historical drama, “Legend of Yuan Empire Founder” 《建元風雲》. This drama is tentatively scheduled to air at 8 pm on cctv1 in 2012.

Character Similar to Zhuge Liang
Steven collaborated with Hu Jun and Charmaine Sheh et al in the tv series, "Legend of Yuan Empire Founder". Liu BingZhong, (劉秉忠), the character Steven portrays is similar to Zhuge Liang, whereby he assists Kublai Khan, portrayed by Hu Jun, to establish a new nation. His role has lots of room to flex his acting chop. In the series Steven undergoes numerous makeovers, one of which is that of a monk. Director Tsui Siu Ming even personally shaved Steven’s head for him, and praised Steven for having a beautifully shaped head. Tsui also said that though this is their first time collaboration, he is impressed with Steven's professionalism. The reason why he uses Steven for the role of Liu BingZhong is because this character cannot be too rugged, or be too soft, either. Mainland actors are usually too rugged or are pretty boys siu sangs; Steven’s masculinity and gentleness are well balanced.

Tsui Siu Ming:  Thriving Prosperous 家肥屋潤
Steven has only recently joined the production team, but Tsui Siu Ming has already noticed the latter’s skin becoming more ‘moisturized’ (radiant). “Working in TVB, his (Steven’s) ‘qi’ got sucked up by TVB. In mainland he breathes in Mainland's air. (qi) If he comes to Hengdian often to shoot series, I guarantee he will “thrive and prosper” .『家肥屋潤 – well fed; well watered』 When Siu Ming gor’s words were repeated to Steven, he initially misunderstood ‘round and smooth’ (圓潤) to imply he had gotten fatter and was instantly concerned. But he relaxes when he finds out that the words actually indicated his healthy aura and his dewy skin. Steven says that (before he came over) to ensure he would be in peak form for his performance here, he not only gave up eating his beloved noodles but also diligently went to the gym to workout, and that his mental and physical conditions are better than before.

Zero Reaction to TV King Nomination.
So as to break into Mainland China, Steven has temporarily shelved his unresolved contractual issue with TVB. He expresses that he is definitely changing the type of contract with TVB, so even if nominated for tv king his heart will not be moved. Before Hong Kong, Steven had already unequivocally expressed his position to TVB. He once again emphasizes that he has no conflicts with TVB, just that he cannot collaborate with certain people there. If the issue can be resolved, he will be more than happy to collaborate with TVB in a different way.

As to TVB recently being bombarded by outsiders, like Macy Chan’s incident while filming a tv travel special in Japan, whereby her boyfriend, Eric Suen, publicly lambasted tvb.  Steven says forthrightly: “Some artists are scared to offend TVB so they kept quiet. Old Suen dares to speak out. Good for him! (真好嘢!) This incident illuminated the problematic handling of matters by someone in TVB.” Steven also says that if tvb continues to do nothing to fix the problem, when face with next year television war, he fears for tvb.

Steven’s role in Legend of Yuan Empire Founder is heavy. He is expected to stay in mainland for three months. Later he will go to Mongolia for on location filming. As to whether he will attend the anniversary gala to show support, he says candidly that the chance of his attendance is slim.

pix sources: mingpao, kuangaiTVB weibo, takungpao, singpao
~~~ magscans below

Steven Ma tastes sweetmeat most nomination

馬浚偉嘗甜頭提名稱冠
Steven Ma's earlier request to TVB to terminate his contract is still unresolved, which he said maybe change to a different type.  Allegedly he, with his The life and times of a sentinel and his Apprentice Chef that he hosted, will have the most nomination on this year nomination list, way ahead of his peers.  It was pointed out earlier that Mona Fong especially made known that she wanted him to be retained.  Can it be that TVB especially use this 'sweetmeat' as an inducement to have him stay.  Last night this reporter called Steven up but filming in Hengdian, he did not return the call.

Aside, TVB will announce its TVB Anniversary Awards nomination list on the 10th this month in a press conference.  Attendees include Moses Chan, Liza Wang etc but TV King Wayne Lai will not attend due to out of town job.

on cc


Allegedly TVB will split the Best Variety Show award into two "Best Variety Show" and "Best Educational Program" with one award going to Steven Ma's Apprentice Chef and Book of Words.

TN:TVB can come up with whatever 'goodies' they wish as inducement but Steven will not be moved. I can bet the farm on it.  He has lost heart in TVB. He just wants out.  And I've lost all interest in TVB awards too. Don't care who wins or loses anymore.

AppleDaily prediction -- below

News on Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder

Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder, a grand and epic drama. He Yan Ni and Steven Ma to portray a genuine relationship. 《建元风云》现壮阔史诗 何彦霓马浚伟上演真情

The epic drama “Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder” (LOTYEF) directed by Director Tsui Siu Ming having finished its 1st phase shoot in Mongolia has now officially relocated its filming to Hengdian*. The drama is told from Kublai Khan’s perspective; in a panoramic view to artistically reproduce the whole process of the founding of the Yuan Dynasty and its reunification of China. This is a grand project of epic proportion. In the series, He Yan Ni (何彦霓) is Kublai Khan’s wife's, Cha Bi (Charmaine Sheh), close friend, Yun Lin. In the series, besides fighting with Charmaine Sheh over Hu Jun, (Kublai Kha), she and Hong Kong TVB famous actor, Steven Ma, will also collaborate for the first time; their touching love relationship is another aspect of her storyline.

He Yan Ni and Steven Ma’s first collaboration. Feel‘Happy’ in Entangled Emotion.
何彦霓首次牵手马浚伟深陷情感纠葛“很幸福”

He Yan Ni along with “LOTYEF” troupe, having shot for almost two months in Mongolia, have now officially changed their battlefield to Hengdian. This grand epic series, a 150 million (rmb) production directed by Director Tsui Siu Ming, depicts the founding of the Yuan Dynasty and its unification of China. He Yan Ni portraying Yun Lin in the series will have a moving relationship with HK TVB actor, Steven Ma Chun Wai, who portrays Liu BingZhong. “This time the love relationship’s portion is comparatively heavier. Besides sticking with Hu Jung through thick and thin, in the series my relationship with Steven is also very moving.” Though He Yan Ni is involved in a multi-relationship she said she is very happy: “Because whether it is Hu Jun or Steven, I’ve watched many of their works. Like Steven’s TVB series, they are still fresh as new in my memory, so really looking forward to our collaboration.”

He Yan Ni braved the inclement weather while filming in Mongolia.
内蒙拍戏遇恶劣天气何彦霓勇敢挑战过关

Earlier while filming Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder in Duo Lun in Inner Mongolia, its cast and crew were all greatly tested by the harsh weather conditions there. “The severe weather conditions often affected the filming progress, also, the outdoor riding scenes were all very challenging” but strong and competitive He Yan Ni jested: “But this extreme nature experiences only served to stimulate my feelings in thes series. Hopefully, the later part of the production goes more smoothly.” Though the filming condition was arduous but so far from the viewpoint of filming progress and outcome, the producers are all extremely satisfied. The cast all did an outstanding job; the confidence is high that this will be a grandeur epic work for the public to watch.

Allegedly, LOTYEF will stay in Hengdian to film for at least two and a half months before relocating back to Inner Mongolia in places such as Ordos for scenery background.

credit: SM Baidu

TN: Hengdian, China

Wikipedia: Hengdian World Studios (Chinese: 横店影视城) is the largest film studio in the world. It is located in Hengdian, a town in the city of Dongyang in Zhejiang Province. The movie studio is operated by the privately-owned Hengdian Group founded by a farmer turned millionaire Xu Wenrong. Sometimes called "Chinawood", Xu turned acres of farmland in central Zhejiang into one of the largest movie studio in Asia. Construction began in the mid-1990s and have been ongoing ever since with the possible recent addition of the replica of the Old Summer Palace.

2011 Sales presentation - Prosperous Father

Prosperous Father at 2011 Sales presentation, which Steven did not attend.