China Glam & Glitz
Florence: "That's not even that ridiculous, later in King Maker, I'm going to Chris Lai's mother! I was so upset, each day when I see him, I get upset, 'you bad boy, your not that much younger than me, and want me to be your mother...'"
Of course, Florence is just joking. Even if in this sitcom, she plays the youngest aunt, and in the next series she plays the Emperor's mother, what's better than continuous exposure on TV? We still haven't even counted the previous series she was in No Good Either Way, Gloves Come Off and 4 in Love.
"This year, it's seriously abnormal, viewers won't have a good day until 2013!" Florence laughed boldly.
She once left TVB for 4 years, but then seeing the changes in the market, she finally made her way back to her old home. Her acting skills were accumulated through all her years and experience in the industry. She unconsciously became a companion to audience over the last many years, that is truly the highest state.
"If I didn't go through it, I really didn't know I actually really love acting."
Relax, Hong Kong people, we never really had any good days anyway, I rather let Florence Kwok brainwash me. Almost forgot, it turns out Florence started out as a Miss Hong Kong too. That happened back in 1992, exactly 20 years ago.
Never Dreamed of becoming a Star
"I never dreamed of becoming a star! If I did, I would have gone to participate in Miss HK at age 18, but I was already 23 when I ran for Miss HK. I was almost overage!"
Florence was initially a white collar worker at an upscale law firm in Central, her Western boss hired her as a secretary. She worked Monday through Fridays and had 3 weeks vacation. According to her, the job was well-paid and had good benefits.
"I was totally Queen Jeh's (O.L Supreme, Liza Wang's role) younger version! With my looks, the White men fall into it."
One day Florence was out shopping, when a modeling company spotted her, the recruiter urged her to go for Miss HK, she foolishly just went along with it. Before she left, she told the boss: "I'll be back." Results, it was a path of no return.
"When handling situations, I'm a person that just makes a decision and won't look back."
Back then, the Miss HK winner was Hacken Lee's wife, Emily Lo. Florence is the only one left in showbiz today. She's lucky, after Miss HK, she was just standing around for three years in The Kindred Spirit. Soon after she was casted in several series including Time Before Time, Feminine Masculinity (Mr. Diana) and Colorful Life. She had a stable seat in the second female leading roles.
"Did you know that the sitcom Virtues of Harmony was developed from Colorful Life? Bondy Chiu's role was suppose to be mine."
Colorful Life was broadcast during the Lunar New Year of 2001, it was very popular, viewers loved watching Florence and Cutie Mui's bickering scenes. Who would have known Florence later withdrew from the 800 episode sitcom Virtues of Harmony, otherwise her destiny would have been written differently.
"I already ate the fatty pork, but then I had to throw it all back up because I suddenly pulled the emergency crisis switch. At the time, I was 32 years old, I believed besides acting, I didn't know anything else. I felt unsecured, is my life just gonna be like this? What happens when I get old? Be a Gigi Wong? Then when I get even older, then what? Be a Ha Ping jeh? I'm not saying they aren't good, but I was afraid viewers didn't want to watch Florence Kwok anymore. If I didn't leave at 32, then I wouldn't have the courage to leave at all when I'm 42. By then, will I leave showbiz and then start looking for a job, asking people to 'give me a chance'?"
Gave Up Acting Career
Florence has the nerves to do things quick and fierce. As she said, once she makes the decision, she will not look back on it. She gave up her acting career, and went to work at her sister's manufacturing company as an account manager, starting from fresh.
"My clients saw a celebrity greeting them, at first they were really excited, but after a few words, they thought I was a joke. I don't think my acting was that bad, I could come up with something to say right? But dang! When the client asked me 10 questions, I answered all 10 questions with 'I'll go back to check and then give you a reply.' They knew I had no skills!"
Fortunately her boss was just her own sister, and can tolerate the 32 year old Florence starting from the bottom.
"One time we were doing an undergarment photo shoot, I was responsible in putting together the run down. Wah! I had a headache, do we shoot first or do the lighting first? Or do we choose the bra colors first? You know, changing models over and over again is troublesome..."
Learning from experience, Florence then realized, she was actually in happiness back in showbiz.
"In the past when I was acting, whenever I wasn't satisfied, I would just shout for the PA: 'Why do I have to wait until 7pm, after completing the 1pm shoot? Then I have to wait until 12am again?" But I didn't know that the PA actually spent hours and great efforts into making the schedule for me. I wasn't the only person in the company! When I was working at the manufacturing company, I first went to meet with clients, then helped models put on shoes and I even took the trash out. I just felt Heaven gave me an opportunity to see another side of things, so I could really get it straight."
After working at her sister's company for a few years, she opened a restaurant with her sister and brother-in-law. Her objective was: "What people do, I don't do. Slaughter out a new bloody path." Florence opened a lamb-specialized restaurant in Causeway Bay. Then the SARS came along, and resulted in a true 'bloody path'.
"Such PK, we were just staring at each other. Conclusion was: 'Finally know why others don't do it!' I just didn't feel good."
Realizes Love For Acting
After leaving TVB for 4 years, she experienced the blood, wind and rain out in the business world and definitely got a different view of things. The greatest reward she got was, she realized what she really loved.
"After my few years in the business world, it was the time when War and Beauty was the most popular hit. I always imagined myself, who would I have been? Perhaps Maggie Cheung's role? But I'm not arrogant or pretty enough...why am I still dreaming? It's because I still really liked acting!"
In 2005, Florence guest starred in Dance of Passion and made her official comeback.
"Although I really lost a lot of money in the businesses, but deep down, I really didn't regret it. I have a boarder view of things, I gained experience that money can't buy. If I didn't go out to see the other side of the world, I think I would still be the old arrogant and inconsiderate Florence Kwok. I dare to say, I treat the PAs a lot better now."
Seeing Florence now, whether in sitcoms or series, she's quite appropriate, if she needs to be strong, then she's strong, if she needs to be funny, then she knows to let herself go.
"When I was in the 'gaming world' back then, no matter if its shoes or shui mai, I could really talk about anything. One time Jonathan Chik scolded me: 'Can you please focus?' And I didn't even know I was wrong: 'Cheh, as long as when you call 3, 2, 1 and I can start acting, it's all good!' Jonathan said: 'Look at Bowie Lam, he doesn't just wait for the 3, 2, 1. He's in the right state of mind all day long!" I suddenly woke up, since I know I love acting, and I'm really happy going to work every day, so why not do my best? I can say now, I am much more concentrated into my acting than before."
Not Hungry or Thirsty for Love
Florence is turning 43 in August, "I've been single for many years. That's not sarcasm. I'm really used to it. When I had the flu earlier, I drove myself to the doctor, it's no problem. I don't mind having a boyfriend, but I'm definitely not hungry or thirsty for one."
As everyone knows, Florence has been in two relationships. The first was in The Kindred Spirit, she was with married man Lau Siu Kwan.
"Back then I was young, I couldn't get out of my character. Now, it's different. In Gloves Come Off, I really loved Kenny Wong, but I know how to get out of it. Today, if you ask me again, anyone who comes near me and has a wife, I would tell them to go home and sleep."
The second relationship was with TVB scriptwriter 'tall man' Chung Kwok Keung. The two dated 4 years before breaking up. "We are still good friends, but can't get back together. If I'm going to think about that, why not just move into the future. I don't look back."
She likes humorous men because she's afraid of being bored the most: "Just like Bobby (Au Yeung), pretty good. Even if it's Louis Yuen, he's okay too, but his gags are a little too rotten."
Last night, Myolie and Kevin Cheng had dinner and watched the Ghetto Justice II premiere. It appears Myolie's emotions had recovered, but she continues to deny the dating rumor with Eric. When asked if she felt she was 'taken advantage'? She said: "Didn't think about it, either way, it's not a good thing! I know everyone is concerned about the break up, so I thought of many ways that I could explain before, I just hope the speculations will stop." She also exposed the paparazzi has been following her for several days, and sighed: "no one dares to come near me". When asked if she'll move out of her current residence? She expressed its about timing and that her relationship with Bosco isn't as bad as the public thinks it is. It was also reported that she met up with a close friend to bad-mouth Bosco? Myolie explained it was just a normal friends' gathering.
Kevin Cheng was asked about all the recent male artists with Mainland actresses, he modestly said "no one spotted me." Reporters teased that being 'captured' could happen in a very short period! Kevin laughed: "Underestimating me? How many minutes?"
July 30th, 2012 hi2net08
Thirteen years ago, Tavia Yeung entered showbiz and started her acting career. Back then, she didn’t learn from others and tried to pull publicity stunts. Perhaps this is the reason why it took her 10 years before she started getting recognition from the public. Tavia depended on her acting and abilities to get where she is today. She doesn’t mind being known as “Clear Water” (清水) because you can’t become a phoenix overnight.
Clear Water: Practical – Won’t Rely on the Media to Gain Recognition
In the recent years, Miss HK contestants haven’t even been crowned yet, but are seen all over the headlines of Hong Kongnewspapers. In the last 13 years, Tavia rarely had any rumors, it was only in the past two years that the rumors started ‘surfacing’. In the early years of her career, she didn’t have any scandals, didn’t get involved in disputes, never deliberately made any news, she carried as “silent” personality throughout. The media called her ‘Clear Water’ because she’s just as simple as clear water, like she has nothing.
Tavia: “I am Clear Water, I think it’s good. At least it’s a positive image. At least I’m not some strong cup of alcoholic drink, can’t shallow it. Perhaps some people can accept it, while others cannot. In showbiz, the ultimate goal is to be able to be accepted by the public. Think about it, how many people like to drink strong alcohol, while watching TV? When other beverages are drank too much, we will all eventually go back to drinking clear water. So, describing me as Clear Water, I am very pleased.”
Clear water differs from other drinks, such as strong alcohol, coffee or tea, it does not require personal taste nor does it have the so-called glamorous rank. A cup of strong alcohol, has a rank, has a taste, it’s strong and can get you drunk. Over drinking can get you a hangover, then it’s all worthless; A cup of coffee, has a certain value, tangible benefits, many different tastes, people first considers its quality before making a selection, but then its gustation; A cup of Clear Water, has no taste, no fragrance, it’s light and clear, but it’s thought provoking.
A cup of Clear Water is simple, no additives and is suitable at anytime, any day and in any situation. Compared to other beverages it is more popular because it’s “popularized” and very easy to “accept”. This describes Tavia, she does not need any exaggerated rumors, just taking it slowly is actually easier for audience to accept her.
Clear Water : Views – This Industry is Uncommon
“Everything originated from a cup of Clear Water, when doing anything, it all starts from Clear Water. Whether Clear Water could be diverse or not, it is all based on how that person is taught.”
But, artists should be multicolored and have an unique flavor to be able to make a breakthrough. Aside from being popularized, Clear Water doesn’t have any outstanding qualities, but Tavia apparently wants to keep being Clear Water. Even if there is no way she could stand out among all the beverages, it doesn’t matter to her.
“I’m willing to be like this, its uncommon to be in this industry, but because it’s uncommon, I’m willing to be a commoner. But, the most important is, I hope to maintain the purity, and be Clear Water without any impurity. Even if everyone thinks it’s better to have more diversity now, but being simple inside is very important.”
Clear Water: Realistic – Depend Only on Hard Work to Climb Up
“I think coming out of the Artistes Training Class is a bit stronger, especially with the fundamentals. I’m not saying Miss HK isn’t good, just you spend a longer period of time in the Training Class. You have to go from a nobody to someone that people knows. After completing the training, you have to get chosen by [producers] to be able to participate in TV series. Then, you have to wait for the series to air, and after it airs, you have to see if your character left a deep impression on audience. I believe if you want to get up top, you can only rely on your own hard work. You have to count on yourself, count on leaving a deep impression for audience, and to take advantage of the opportunities before you.”
Constant perseverance yields success. It is overtime that your accomplishments are seen. Graduated from the TVB Artistes Training Class, Tavia is like a cup that went through a filter before getting to the drinkable water. She took it step by step getting through the layers and layers of sand, gravel and cotton before she was able to get drinking water out. Each step, each footprint; each series, each role; year after year, day after day of training and learning, got her where she is today.
“I think I’m very lucky and have put in a lot of time. If we take the last 12-13 years, I had a pile of luck because many people have debuted earlier than me, and they have actually been very hard working as well, but they still have nothing.”
Clear Water – Procedure: Insist on the Convention
“My current position in the course of my life is I am at the stage of work. My next stage in life may be marriage and having children. Then, I must go through illness and death. I just believe this is a life process. I won’t jump over a stage in life and not do it. For example, I want to marry. People have asked me if I want to do a wedding photo shoot, I say of course. It is part of my life memories. If he gets old one day, and realizes you have done so many wedding shoots, but none of them are with the person you love, someone who stands next to you to take these wedding photos, then I feel it’s a regret. So, I will not miss these steps.”
However, Tavia is not rushed for marriage or having kids.
“I believe women have had a moment where its love at first sight. Of course, you look at the person’s appearance first, but when you enter the professional world and meet more people, you will no longer believe love at first sight. Because love at first sight, will never leave from the looks that attracted you. I just feel I have to be more realistic, must look at how his personality is like and be friends first. Because in this industry, there are too many attractive things, there are the beautiful ones, like the handsome and very masculine men, these are all just descriptions based on the outer appearance.”
Epilogue
Within the showbiz of brilliant colors, if you don’t have status, then you will have to spend a few more years of time in order to gain recognition; If you don’t have any eye-catching scenes, then you will have to put in much greater effort to let the audience know that you are around. The “Clear Water” Tavia Yeung, who does not pull publicity stunts, have been in this industry for over 10 years before she gradually gets “free publicity”, and this is when she really gets a sense of how popular artists are surrounded by gossips.
Although in reality, we all know newcomers want more rumors and gossips in order to become famous faster, but if these rumors are going on every day, it’s going to get boring. Just like drinking the same beverage everyday, eventually it gets tiring. Actually, a cup of Clear Water, wins over every beverage out there.
Reality is reality, must have a realistic attitude. Getting popular from rumors, that’s just a moment of fame; Getting popular from your true capabilities, that’s going to be lasting; Learn to crawl before learning to walk, slowly leave footprints one step at a time; Becoming popular in a reasonable manner, will get you farther. Tavia Yeung deeply understands this principle, just silently plowing through as a cup of Clear Water.
Source: China Press
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
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July 30th, 2012 hi2net08
It can be said that Ron Ng and his ex-girlfriend Ella Koon are “no friends after goodbye”. After Ron fell into the ‘peachblossom trap’, causing the break up with Viann Zhang. Yesterday morning at 3am, Ella made a comment on Weibo implying she had been hurt by Ron before. She wrote: “Today I saw the news, and found out people have finally discovered the truth! I’ve been in love before and I’ve been hurt before too! I ultimately ended up being hurt! And have been accused of using my relationship as a publicity stunt too! It was really hard for me!” The comment was on her Weibo for about a minute before it got deleted.
Ella and Ron were rumored for 8 years. Even if they were photographed being together, Ron still appeared indifferent about the relationship. It was rumored they broke up before and then got back together. However, they still ended up on bad terms. Ella later found herself a foreign boyfriend. Yesterday [Oriental Daily] contacted Ella, who is currently onvacation overseas with her parents, but she did not respond.
Ron did not respond to ex-lover Ella’s Weibo comment and said they don’t keep in touch. If they meet at TVB, they still greet each other with a nod.
In 2005, after collaborating in TVB series Revolving Doors of Vengeance, Ella was rumored to have been involved in Ron and his girlfriend’s relationship, whom he cohabited with at the time, and cause their break up. Although Ella denied she was the third party, the paparazzi spotted her several times at Ron’s house and Ron was her driver.
However, when the two were said to be in a passionate relationship, Ron had several other rumors with Kate Tsui, Toby Leung and Charmaine Sheh. Up until late 2006, Ella indirectly admitted they broke up and implied he was unfaithful. Coincidentally at that time, Ron and Charmaine’s rumors became a hot topic.
Source: Oriental Daily, Mingpao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
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July 30th, 2012 hi2net08
After news broke out that Bosco Wong and Myolie Wu ended their 8-year relationship, rumors had it that it was due to a third party on Bosco’s side. However, it doesn’t seem to be affecting his career too much as he is continuing to film dramas in China and also achieved great ratings for “Witness Insecurity.” His role of cool and affectionate Hui Sir won the hearts of many audiences. In the finale aired last night Hui Sir unfortunately had a tragic death, causing netizens to explode in criticisms. They criticized that it was far-fetched and unreasonable when wounded Hui Sir was trying to find Kui Chi Lum (Linda Chung) on his motorbike. They complained that this was the worst finale ever and fans requested them to refilm the ending or film a sequel to bring Hui Sir back to life.
Netizens vow not to watch Ghetto Justice 2
Netizens pointed out that because TVB is in a hurry to broadcast Ghetto Justice 2, they cut Witness Insecurity from 28 episodes down to 20 episodes; thus leaving the drama to this choppy ending. Some netizens even went further and vented, “Let us protest by not watching Ghetto Justice 2!”
Producer Lau Ka Ho expressed his satisfaction for the drama for causing such a big response and also for achieving over a 30-point average rating. He admitted that the ending may not be the favorite for some audience, but revealed that he also received alot of congratulatory messages on Weibo.
Source: Chinapress.com.my
Translated by: xbunnylicious @ AsianFanatics
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July 30th, 2012 hi2net08
T-ara‘s parent company Core Contents Media announced today that one of its members, Hwayoung, will be leaving the group.
CCM’s CEO, Kim Kwang Soo, announced the departure in a press release written by the president himself. “In deference to the complaints by T-ara’s staff of 19 people (5 stylists, 7 hair & makeup, 5 on-site managers, 2 team managers), Hwayoung’s contract as an artist will be voided effective immediately with no conditions.”
Kim Kwang Soo denied any correlation with the recent controversy that erupted following tweets from the T-ara members that were interpreted by many as one-sided bullying against Hwayoung. “We wish to impress upon the fact that this has nothing to do with the ‘bullying’ reports surrounding T-ara,” CCM said. “Although the staff of Core Contents Media stayed up into early morning discussing with the T-ara members who all wanted to stay with Hwayoung, we apologize in saying that we could not forsake the arguments of the staff members.”
“We deeply apologize for the many incidents which made everyone who loved T-ara nervous and worried, and we have nothing but sadness to convey such an unsettling incident on their third anniverary. We also apologize again to the T-ara members and wish Hwayoung all the best as a powerful rapper,” CCM continued, “since Hwayoung has great potential as a rapper we decided to end her contract without conditions and we believe that she will grow into the future as a free artist.”
Hwayoung was with T-ara for 20 months, leaving original members Boram, Qri, Eunjung, Soyeon, Hyomin, and Jiyeon, as well as new member Ahreum.
Hwayoung strikes back on Twitter
http://i.imgur.com/YIgGS.jpg
Following Core Contents Media‘s announcement of Hwayoung leaving the group T-ara, Hwayoung posted a quick sentence on Twitter that seemed to summarize her thoughts on the matter.
“…facts without any truth,” she stated simply. Although the context of her tweet is unknown, it is not hard to link it to CCM’s recent press release relaying the reasons behind her withdrawal from T-ara.
“…진실없는 사실들
- @RHY422,“
Source: Star News via Nate
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July 30th, 2012 hi2net08
Niki Chow, Macy Chan and Evergreen Mak were in Sham Shui Po’s busy street shooting for an alternative ending for TVB series Sergeant Tabloid. This version of the ending picks up from the gun fight, but involves guest stars Macy Chan and Evergreen Mak instead. Macy and Evergreen play a married couple, who are drug dealers and starts a gun fight with the police. Because the series had previously been released in Malaysia and overseas, TVB had to put in another HK$500k into shooting the ending for the HK version and come up with a new plot. Dressed in a winter policewoman uniform, Niki was soaked in sweat, she laughed: “I never had to redo a scene after 6 months before, luckily I can still fit into thecostume.”
First time playing a pregnant thief, Macy said it felt like she’s really pregnant. As for the recent scandals involving TVB Siu Sangs and Mainland actresses, she expressed she’s not afraid boyfriend Eric Suen would cheat on her: “If he dares to, then he’ll die miserably! I cannot tolerate it nor will I even consider getting back together!”
Source: Oriental Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
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Before Deanie Ip had won the Best Actress awards at Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Film Awards with A Simple Life, she also won the Best Actress awards at overseas film festivals in Venice Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and others. Two days ago, news of A Simple Life winning awards came in as Deanie Ip was crowned Best Actress in the 33rd Durban International Film Festival in South Africa, once again won recognition for Hong Kong film industry.Another Chinese actress Michelle Yeoh won the Audiences’ Choice award with The Lady. The Best Film went to director Michael Haneke’s Amour and Julia Leigh won the Best First Feature Film.
Source: Sing Tao
Translated by: AndyLauSounds
UNICEF ambassador Louis Koo Tin Lok yesterday attended a press conference to promote a November charity run. Goo Jai will fly to Thailand to work on a new film about firefighting with Lau Ching Wan. Although the film will have a lot of dangerous stunts, he declined to have a double. "Because many shots were direct, stunt doubles would be hard to use. I can only try to be as careful as I can. The doctor said that my feet's meniscus was already worn very thin without any way to recover." He said that he could jog but not jump, especially not from high up. Goo Jai knew that the new film would be focused in the fire or diving. Everyday he would have to stay in the fire for 8 hours. The shoot will continue for 3 months straight. He not only bought more insurance but was mentally prepared to be darker and thinner.Source: Mingpao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten
Chapman To Man Jat, Krystal Tin Yui Nei and DaDa Chen Jing went to the film VULGARIA (DAI CHOOK HEI KET) advanced screening for audience appreciation. They gave away "career fans" and pop rock candy to viewers. To Man Jat joked, "No one should think that a close up on DaDa's chest would be on the career fan, actually it was my rear. Don't fantasize too much!" Tin Yui Nei was greatly touched at her first audience appreciation event. "To Man Jat supported Hong Kong films like a raging fire, hopefully everyone will keep supporting it and keep the fire burning!"The film will be officially released early next month. Although it received a category III rating for its massive amount of foul language, last Friday it won the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival Best Asian Film Award. Director Pang Ho Cheung and the cast were encouraged with the recognition and even hoped that it will be released in Korea.
Source: Mingpao, on.cc
Translated by: hktopten
Chow Yun Fat, Huang Xiaoming, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Francis Ng Chun Yu starred film THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HOI) will be released this Christmas. The film trailer has been unveiled. In it two generations of "Hui Man Keung" Chow Yun Fat and Huang Xiaoming play time and space mix up as the shot suddenly went from Huang Xiaoming to Chow Yun Fat and their identities became confusing. Huang Xiaoming said, "I watched this trailer online too. I am already very honored to be able to work with my idol Fat Gor, I never thought that this time I was even able to 'turn into Fat Gor in a second'. The feeling is super great! I look forward to the film being able to bring even more surprises to everyone!" However, director Wong Jing last night clarified online that the trailer was not the completed version. Even the music was wrong. The official version will be released on August 3.Another big production, the Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred, Wong Kar Wai directed THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) will be released in December and directly confront THE LAST TYCOON.
Source: Mingpao
Translated by: hktopten
Three Kingdoms RPG - 回到三國 (EPS 11-14) - 34 PTS (Peaking at 45 PTS)
Witness Insecurity Finale - 護花危情大結局 (EPS 19-20) (FRIDAY 2HRS) - 32 PTS (Peaking at 37 PTS)
Witness Insecurity Finale Week - 護花危情 (EPS 15-18) - 33 PTS
*High ratings due to Typhoon Vicente.
_________
To be updated...
Source: Weibo (@劉家豪GH)
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
1. 女举周俊0分 (nǚ jǔ Zhōu Jùn líng fēn) Netizens continued to discus female weightlifter Zhou Jun’s score of zero and subsequent elimination from the competition. Reuters covered her heartbreaking disqualification here.
2. 绿茶假装尿液 (lǜchá jiăzhuāng niào yè) Swapping green tea for pee – a journalist secretly swapped out green tea for a urine sample, and revealed that the doctor came back with his results: he supposedly had a critical illness that would require a week of expensive treatment. The Chinese story can be found here.
3. 赵常宁 (Zhào Chángníng) Female weightlifter representing Kazakhstan Zulfiya Chinshanlo set a new world record by lifting 95 kg in the women’s 53kg weight-class clean and jerk competition. She has also made waves in Chinese media due to her unique backstory: the diminuative 19 year old Olympian also has a Chinese name, Zhao Changning, and was once a citizen of China. English coverage of her gold medal-winning performance here and a Chinese article on her personal storyhere.
4. 女子400米自由泳决赛法国 (nǚzǐ sìbăi mǐ juésài Fǎguó) The women’s 400m freestyle competition on Sunday saw France’s Camille Muffat win the gold, while China’s two competitors, Li Xuanxu and Shao Yiwen, did not qualify for the finals. Chinese language story on the competition here.
5. 广西床照门 (Guăngxī chuáng zhào mén) Hearings began for an official from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region who made headlines earlier this year for revealing pictures of him that circulated online. Though he refuted the pictures were his, his superiors began to look into his affairs, and he came under investigation for using his position to accept funds in excess of one million RMB. Chinese coverage of the trail here.
6. 银川暴雨 (Yínchuān bàoyŭ) Torrential rains hit Yinchuan, a city in China’s northwest. This is unusual given the area’s arid climate, but comes on the heels of similarly violent rainstorms in Beijing and Tianjin that left at least 77 dead. Xinhua’s English coverage of the storms here.
7. 徐濠萦微博 (Xú Háoyíng wēibó) While having lunch with her family on vacation, Xu Haoying’s picture was taken by several people who then walked away without saying a word. She angrily posted in Sina Weibo that Chinese people were rude, and the post went viral, generating heated controversy. She later deleted the post and apologized, but asked, “I’m Chinese too, and I want our people to be better. Why am I not allowed to be angry about my own people being rude?” Chinese coverage of the story here.
8. 严润哲 (Yán Rùnzhé) “Dark horse” competitor Om Yun Chol of North Korea stunned spectators when he set a world record in the men’s 56kg weight class with his 168 kg clean and jerk. The Wall Street Journal covered his victory and declaration that his achievements could be attributed to “warm love and consideration of General Kim Jong Il and comrade Kim Jong Eun.”
9. 邢延华 (Xíng Yánhuá) Chinese-American ping pong player Ariel Hsing, or Xing Yanhua, lost to Chinese champion Li Xiaoxia, but attracted attention both for the quality of her game and her famous fans – Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. English story here.
10. 吴文珊 (Wú Wénshān) On July 29, Hong Kong movie star Dexter Young and Wu Wenshan finally had a big white wedding after filling out the paperwork to become husband and wife last year. Hong Kong media covered the ceremony in Chinese here, complete with pictures.
Courtesy of our friends at Tea Leaf Nation.
Source: Xinhua
Actress Lin Chiling at promotional event for Longines watches (Source: Xinhua)
Ang Lee's adventure film "Life of Pi," released the movie's first trailer.
"Life of Pi" is Lee's first 3D production and is scheduled to be released on November 21
Source: "Life of Pi"
Enter The Dragon (1973) Chinese Movie Information
Title in Chinese – 龙争虎斗
Title in Pinyin – Long Zheng Hu Dou
Genre – Action Kung fu
Subject/theme – A Shaolin fighter is recruited by a government agency to enter a tournament to uncover evidence of opium dealing
Language – English & Cantonese
Region – Hong Kong & USA
Release date
Hong Kong – 26 July 1973
USA – 17 August 1973
Japan – 22 December 1973
France – 9 January 1974
Movie running time – 98 minutes
Director – Liu Chia-liang
Cast & Role Played
Bruce Lee – Lee
Jackie Chan – Han’s henchman
Sammo Hung – Shaolin fighter
John Saxon – Roper, tournament contestant
Jim Kelly – William, tournament contestant
Shih Kien – Han
Ahna Capri – Tania, secretary of the Han
Robert Wall – O’Hara, scarred henchman of Han
Story
A government linked agency suspects a martial arts tournament that is held every three years on a remote island by Han to be a front for opium smuggling. They recruit Lee to enter the tournament to investigate Han’s operations and to try and uncover evidence. John and Jim are two ex army buddies who also join the tournament. John is on the run from mafia thug’s who he owes money to and Jim fleeing from persecution after he beat up two racist cops who were harassing him.
Once on the Island, Han hospitality is lavish with plenty of food, drink and women. Once the tournament begins, John and Jim fixing odds in the matches and gambling while Lee starts to scout an underground complex he has discovered. The situation rapidly becomes deadly and Lee focus on getting the two friends and himself off the island alive.
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