Louisa - Seven Emotions Six Tears - Singpao Interview 20/09/2006

Usually people's image of Louisa is one of openness, but actually when she was younger she was very quiet. "In othe people's eyes, I was a soft spoken, weak person, and I wasn't born happy." In primary school, she was an honours student, very obedient and garnered many awards, and the principal and teachers were fond of her. But once her guidance leader told her "Don't be like Lam Doi Yuk!" So, she thought "What's the use of being obedient. Actually at that time I went crazy when I played with the boys, and also had that naughty side. I think there were more fun moments compared to when I was obedient." Stepping into high school, her personality took an 180 degree turn, and Louisa became very active. She participated in many extra curricular activities, and came into contact with a lot more people, and she spoke more. Her life was more plentiful, she had more space, and she was happier and better to play with. Her happy personality is probably established during her high school years.

Each person in her family plays a role in the family. Her parents and sisters worked, and she needed to look after her brothers taking them to school and buying the groceries for dinner and then do her homework. "I am very used to taking care of other people and know how to take care of myself, and this began during that time." She is happy that she is fourth in her family, and doesnt have the pressure of marriage and children. "My mum has already stopped asking me when will you get married? Who will you marry? Have you married?"

It seems Louisa is happy, but actually, she has had times of tears. These tears have been for both happy and sad moments. Through the translucent teardrops, we take a look at her growing up.

Tears of friendship

Singpao (S): In a journal entry on your official website, you write that you watched a musical called Wicked, where in the second scene, the two female leads sing: "There are people that appear in one's life for different reasons. They will help us grow, allowing us to understand that things can be seen from many different angles, allowing us to realise the true value of life. ....Because I know you, I have already completely changed." It is at that moment, that you are teary. It is profoundly touching. Why were you so moved?

Louisa (L): At that moment I thought of a friend, and thought about the relationship we had, she certainly is no ordinary friend! When I saw those two females sing on stage, actually I thought of the things that have happened between us. They sang what I was feeling at the time, and I unintentionally cried, and was really moved. It was a natural physiological reaction. When the tears flowed, my first heart felt reaction was: Why is it like this? Before I certainly did not think that the friendship we had was any sort of special relationship. So I came to realise that our friendship was so deep within my heart, and in that moment I realised that this friend was actually really important to me.

Withstand the test

S: How did she completely change you?

L: Actually our friendship has been many years already! From high schol to now, from studying to working, we have respectively done our own things, respectively had our own friends. A lot of the time we may not see each other much, but I am very forgiving, after we didnt hear of each other, but later had had the chance to meet again. We realised that after seeing each other more, we truly valued our friendship, while I was clear at that moment that she was really important, and in my mind she was my Best friend. That moment proved that she was really my best friend, because even if we argue, I know that we may have something in our heart that we haven't said, but that is just a test of the relationship between us. After the test, the remaining is what is the most treasured friendship.

Tears of the beloved

S: Besides that time where the musical made you shed tears, in your memories, which time was the most profound tear?

L: There was one time. When I was really young, and I just began to understand things, it was during Primary 4/5, and our entire family lived in public housing. At that time we were certainly not rich. My parents worked. My family included my grandma, dad, mum, and my brothers and sisters, a total of 9 people. We had two double bunk beds, and a wooden bench. Entering our house, you could jump into bed with 2/3 steps. In our house was a wardrobe, a television, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and I think it was 200 feet! We lived at Shek Pai Wan Estate (?) in Aberdeen. At that time that is how I thought life was, and I think my childhood was very happy. It was one summer night, when there was still no air conditioning, and the wooden door had to be opened. In the middle of the night, I heard some arguing noises. It was actually my mum holding my little brother and arguing with my grandma, and she wanted to take my brother out. My grandma wanted to stop her. My grandma is a very frightening mother-in-law, and my mum and her would always argue. Basically, at that moment my mum was sitting beside the steel door crying, the yellow and orange lights in the corridor shone through the door onto her face. I clearly remember the look on her face. At the time I saw her cry and tears feel from my face. My mum is a woman of steel, a mysterious female hero, a person not to be reckoned with. She would never complain, and she wouldn't think that others are not good to her. After, my grandma had a stroke and needed to go to the doctor. My grandma has a bigger build that my mum, but my mum carried my grandma on her back to see the herbalist to get the medicine. My grandma had to say "Did you want to poison me?" I really remember that teary moment.

Excited without a tear

S: What is the the thing that has moved you the most, and made you cry?

L: I've just come back from Tibet, there were so many unforgettable things. I met many people and circumstances. The first week when we got back, we couldn't wait and met up to eat. I asked everyone what was the most unforgettable thing on the trip. Different people said different things. I asked the cameraman, and he said something that moved me a lot. I thought it moved me deeply, but I didn't cry. He said "What you said to me." Actually I exchanged a secret with him. I think our friendship changed to become very deep from that moment . With no apparent reason, you would not suddenly trust someone, so, I think this was a very precious experience. Although he is a very quiet person, he unexpectedly says to me: "Why don't we exchange a secret." I thought it was only during our school days that we would have this sort of attitude. To be able to meet this person and be able to exchange this type of secret, is I think very genuine and very satisfying, very moving. In that moment I truly treasured the things that happened during the Tibet trip.

S: Can you control your crying now?

L: I don't believe that crying is a shameful thing. I don't think its something to be laughed about, and it is a sincere psychological action.

S: When acting, can you cry easily?

L: Actually, its easier for me to cry in my life in comparison to when I am acting. Actually sometimes its really hard to cry when acting. Actually, it is sometimes very hard for the plot to move me, but certainly sometimes it can. But I think in real life there are more moving things.

Prologue: Being able to select your roles, and rather not take roles

Louisa has a safe, and locks unhappy thoughts in it, but this safe looks as if its not big. Most of the time she will release these unhappy thoughts from her heart, or delete these matters.

A few years ago, she realised she was not happy with life. She loved acting, and moreover she had many performance opportunities, but she was met with roles she didn't really like, or the television station's costars were not appropriate, but it was because she loved acting too much, these things made her mind and body exhausted. "You put in the hard work to do something, but you don't enjoy these roles, and you will think that its a pain, and lose your balance. So I told TVB that I would rather not work and that if I do work, I want to go to some other ideal places to work, or I can choose what I want to do. Now that I have changed to a partnership situation, film a series or two each year, and am able to obtain those not so idle roles. Moroever, at least I know that I can rest after working labourously for a period of time. At that time I hoped I could choose some roles that I liked, and those that I was really interested in, and are challenging, and roles that can move forward. Last year I performed two dramas that I really liked, maybe there were fewer television series, but actually I plan what I want to do during the year. Actually for each project I will ponder, did I do it appropriately? How did I go? How should I do it completely?

Not far from dreams

Louisa's dream house had to be 2000 feet, have a garden, and has ocean views. Actually, her current house is 1000 feet, and has mountain and ocean views, not far from her dreams. She also dreams of a sports car, Ferrari or Porsche Boxer. Actually, she is very pleased with her current 7 seater SUV, bought in 2002. She really enjoys the pleasure of driving, "I think the interior space in a car is really important, it is a very special space."

Currently Louisa lives freely. Her usual day dreams are "Boss listens to everything she says." Recently, in the gameshow Beautiful Cooking she was able to show her cooking skills, and increased her popularity. Now, she is preparing to publish a cookbook with her own special touch. She is shooting commercials and researching for her next telelvision role, and is busily engaged in work, but she says "Currently I am quite joyful, very satisfied."

Image Credits: Singpao

firthette's comments: I remember when I heard the radio interview and she talked about her mum.... I was so teary listening to it...

Women not pained - Ming Pao Weekly (Issue 1968) Interview

While Louisa and Damian filmed Men in Pain, Louisa was able to feel men's happiness and pain. We chat and I ask what womens' pains are? Louisa won't complain about womens' pains like a typical woman, and in fact says she is a lucky woman. She says "Maybe women are made to go through many hardships, like physiologically, but I am tough, so I won't nag. Now, if I was to choose again, I want to continue to be a woman in my next life because no matter how tough it is for a woman, there will be somewhere who loves them. I think I am currently very lucky."

Louisa admits outright that being a man is tougher than a woman, most of the men in pain are like Damian's character, while the other type are those pained by their career not up there with women. Louisa speaks from a men's point of view and says "Actually the career of a male and female are equal, men do not need to make a comparison, and shouldn't feel pressured because of these matters."

Louisa has dated Hong Kong Repertory Theatre actor Poon Chan Leung for 10 years, and both are compatible in their public and private lives. The current phase of their relationship is steady, but she is not rushed into marriage. She says "Being a modern woman, marriage is already not a problem, but the most important is whether we can come together, and marriage is really just a marriage certificate." It looks like Louisa is still enjoying these dating days!

Temporarily stop performing Love in a Fallen City

In this current stage, Louisa is a television Fa Dan, as well as a lead actress in a musical. Having been in the entertainment industry for more than 10 years, she still has high expectations towards her work. She will be fully absorbed into each project she is involved in. For a series she would not see her family for 3 months. But Louisa does not feel the pressure, and says "I think that an actor should perform each series well, so over these years I have not felt the pressure. I also won't force myself to accept projects I don't like, and won't allow myself to suffer. If I accept a project, I would predict the environment and problems that I may face."

Love in a Fallen City, in which Louisa worked with Tony Leung, ended on a high note. It had a 14 day touring performance in Toronto and New York. However, Louisa thinks that they should temporarily stop for a while, and says "Actually, there are a lot of other places that asked us to perform, but Tony and I think we should stop for a while. Maybe we can find some even better subject matters."

Make-up: Vinci
Hair: Dicky Lam
Clothing: DKNY
Location: Angelini (Kowloon Shangri La Hotel)

Image credits: Louisa Square

Louisa Fighting - Ming Pao Weekly (Issue 1834) Interview

While Louisa was busy performing the 20 shows of A Serenade, her boyfriend Poon Chan Leung got another job, which was a series of SM photos for Teresa Cheung, portraying a policeman.

Although Ms Cheung thanked her co-star for getting her into character, she didn't even know his name, only saying: "He is an actor with the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, I think his last name is Poon."

Coming from the theatre world, no matter how well you act, in the end you only have a last name.

Back then, Louisa and her boyfriend joined the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre in the same year, one chose to leave, one chose to stay. She left because she clearly knew a drama would attract only a few thousand people, while television would attract a few million audience members each night. So she decided to leave her stable government-owned Repertory Theatre job and joined TVB to film Kindred Spirit.

"In the end, people who act want more people to watch their performances."

Afterwards, she was considered for the second lead actress role in the movie Hu Du Men. Josephine Siao recommended Louisa to the director, but she lost to guaranteed-box-office-hit Anita Yuen.

Louisa will not fight for screen-time, but within her own boundaries, she will work hard for something. (fighting or working hard for something, is described by using a pun on two words with the same pronunciation hei, film and air)

Working hard for twelve years, she has finally become the Best Actress in a Musical, with A Serenade ending on a high note. Although when she returns to television, she frequently plays middle-aged roles, she has a fan club. She is regularly praised for her intelligence and dedication. The Miss Hong Kongs need to sharpen their acting, and she has been forced to act as a coach. Also, she has just become a homeowner, and the value of her property has increased by ten percent....everything is going smoothly, finally she has fought back something.

Deciding to buy property after a change in attitude

Louisa has recently bought property, which is a townhouse in Clearwater Bay. The day when she went to the solicitor's office to sign the contract was the morning of the 11th performance of A Serenade. She didn’t sleep well the night before, and the next morning when she woke up, she was really worried that she wouldn't perform well that night.

Arriving at the solicitor’s office, the realtor told her: "You bought this house at the right time, property values are in a downturn, and now with the freedom of mainlanders to come into Hong Kong, property values have risen, and until now, your house has increased its value by ten percent."

The feeling of being a first-time homeowner has its ups and downs, and hearing those words, she has calmed down. Luckily the performance that night was without a hitch.

Living by herself, she has rented for 8 years, and has moved wherever she liked. She never thought she would be connected to a house. Her attitude has suddenly changed this year, wanting to setting down.

"This change has come suddenly. I don't even know why this has happened. Maybe its because I am getting older."

She has dated boyfriend Poon Chan Leung for eight years, and their relationship is stable. Asked if she bought this property jointly with her boyfriend, she replied: "This is a secret, but we have no intention to marry yet. We like our current situation, and we are really happy. We don’t think marriage will make us any happier. Over these past eight years, we have thought about marriage at different times, but these thoughts have never surfaced with either one of us at the same time."

Love lost and being found

Poon Chan Leung is a full time actor with the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Hong Kong Drama Awards, with which Louisa won Best Actress in a Musical for Between Life and Death.While she was on stage accepting her award, the presenters asked if she would marry her boyfriend if he also won his category. She laughed and said: "Ok..." Later, she changed her words and said "If he gets the award, I will be dead."

The love story between Louisa and Poon Chan Leung, is one of love lost and being found. They were classmates at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, where both of them were acting majors. At the time, she had many guys chasing after her, with Poon Chan Leung being one of them. He made a gold "Louisa" keyring for her to show his love. Although she was touched by that gesture, she thought his personality was too dull, and she chose another guy.

After graduating in 1991, they both joined the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, and in this awkward situation became colleagues. After 5 years, each broke up with their respective other half, and their relationship began while filming The Umbrella Story.

Louisa said she has had two relationships. Her first love was near obsessive, and after separating from her boyfriend, she moved to the same apartment block he was living in, and hoped that he would change his mind. After this, she thought she was too crazy. She clearly understood herself the second time. "Actually I should have chosen him the first time. At the time I saw wrong. He is actually great. I don't want to lose it one more time. When he chased me again, I immediately accepted."

Not satisfied with the Chinese Opera audience

Louisa is a girl that clearly spells out her character. She won't fake her feelings. A Serenade won critical acclaim, with film critic Shek Kei writing: "Louisa's performance as Tong Suet Hing is most outstanding, from a colourful star transformed into a famous wife, having a strong character, it was a big challenge, meeting her arch enemy and third party played by Myolie Wu is really the extreme. Louisa is able to portray the success and pain of a successful woman, and she is able to release and retreat." Telling her about this critic's review, she doesn't seem too excited, only calmly saying: "Ok la"

Continuing to speak, she seems to have a lot to say. The male lead is Chinese Opera veteran Lee Lung, and this attracted a lot of opera audiences that are not used to watching drama, making Louisa feeling not too pleased. "These people basically don't know the rules for watching drama, talking loudly while watching which has really affected the actors on stage.

Maybe they are used to watching the operas with the large props and drums. The performance continues on stage, while the talking continues in the audience, and when they come here they talk continuously. There was a scene when the male lead hits me, and when he hit me, I could hear someone in the audience say "He hit well!" This really got to me. "

"Early on I already told the director, we had to deal with the age issues of the male lead. In the show, he needs to be about twenty something. I thought the actor and character's age gap was too great.

"The performance location (Polytechnic University Jockey Club Auditorium) basically was not suited for dramas. There was an insufficient number of lights, and not able to install enough lighting. Moreover, the acoustics was bad. The attention of the actors is really important. On one night, there were alarm sounds coming from an unknown place, and we couldn't continue with the performance."

Don't want to be idle in one place

In the end, the stages that she feels most deeply for are those at Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. As a student, she already performed many heartfelt dramas there. The acclaimed work I have a Date with Spring also began there. There were 70 performances of this musical, which became a record for Hong Kong, and also a record for her. It was also because of this musical that she performed on the silver screen, and was invited to TVB for a screen test.

The fate of the four female actresses of I Have a Date with String, Louisa, Lo Koon Lan, Alice Lau and Fung Wai Hang were all different. In reality, they have experienced many changes. Portraying Lin Sai, Fung Wai Hang has continued to work at Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, and her position has been elevated to Assistant Artistic Director.

Louisa says: "If I was one who was satisfied with my current situation, I would have stayed at the Repertory Theatre. Working there as a civil servant, I could have been elevated to the position of lead actor, and my life could have been trouble free. But I am the type of person who doesn’t want to be idle in one place. Ever since I was small, I've always wanted to try new things, and like challenging myself. People ask me: "Do you belong to drama? Or do you belong to television?" I don't belong to a particular thing, I belong in the world.

"There have also been television people asking me wouldn't it be good to have continued acting in dramas? Why did you have to go to the television industry? Is it better to "slave away" here? I don't like using the phrase "slave away." I respect each job, if you use "slave away," it means that you are not passionate about your job, and only think of money."

Not distinguishing the size of the role

She did not feel any strangeness when her boyfriend filmed some controversial photos with Teresa Cheung. For a professional actor, there are no questions of embarrassment. Previously, when she performed in Madame Butterfly, she had to wear some revealing undergarments, use profanity and do various pestering actions, but she wasn't fazed.

After entering the television industry, she has been usually playing characters that are mature and close to her age, for example when she first joined TVB, she filmed Kindred Spirit and her onscreen husband was played by Cheung Chi Kwong, and together they had a son and a daughter. At the time she was twenty six/seven. Later she filmed The Awakening Story, and she was the love rival to Liza Wang, while her male costar was Damian Lau who was about twenty years her senior. Although she plays these mature roles, she does not feel wronged.

"Having come from a drama background, it is sometimes hard to determine who is the lead actress like in I Have Date With Spring, where there was only one male lead. So who was the female lead? If you say it this way, then it was my first time as the lead actress when I played the role of Bai Lu Su in Love in a Fallen City two years ago. In my eyes, characters cannot be distinguished by their size, and can only really be distinguished by how good it is to watch them."

The TVB Anniversary has "Outstanding Extraordinary Awards" with newspapers calling this the so-called "Golden Oldies Awards." Louisa entered the top five, joining Angelina Lo, Nancy Sit and Law Lan.

"When you are young and work hard, you should feel excited. Being chosen for the lead actress award should feel strange, because does that mean you don't need to work hard when you are a lead actress?"

From Stewardess to Performing Arts

Louisa graduated from Ho Tung Girls School, and was head prefect. From public speaking, recital to drama, she was always a part of these activities. After Form 7, she selected to enrol in Communications at Hong Kong Baptist University, but she was not chosen, and went to Cathay Pacific to become a stewardess, only to work there for nine months resigning because it was too laborious.

After when she studied theatre at HKAPA, she didn't think she would become an actress, and studied there out of interest. In those three years, her professors kept saying: “You're really bad! You won't act!” She was almost going to drop out.

"At HKAPA, I didn't understand anything said in class, it was too abstract. It was only when I joined HK Repertory Theatre, where I was performing and learning at the same time, did I slowly understand what was acting."

The real person is prettier than onscreen

Floral baskets filled the performance location of A Serenade, with one from "Louisa So Fan Club." Although the other lead actress Myolie Wu is a TVB Fa Dan, a "Myolie Wu Fan Club" was nowhere to be seen."

Outside the makeup room, there was another floral basket from a doctor. On the card were two phrases one beginning with the middle character of Louisa's Chinese name, Yuk, and one ending with the end character of her name, Wa. [rough translation: Classic beauty]

In regards to the 8 words that make up the two phrases, Louisa responds: "I don't think I am pretty, and I don't mind if I am pretty or not. However, a lot of people say I am pretty, almost someone everyday."

On a particular day turning on the radio, hearing Sheila Chan talking to Louisa :"You are prettier in real life than onscreen. Your skin is so smooth and your eyes are pretty."

Louisa doesn't have much of a reaction, its really like she hears this everyday.

She says: "Someone told me maybe because I don't think I am pretty, so this makes people think I am pretty."

Understand? A little. I only think she is quite firm on her wardrobe selection. We helped her borrow a large bag of clothing for her photo shoot, and she didn't want to wear any of them. Also, when she opens her eyes wide, she looks evil.

Louisa's Kitchen – Eat and Chat - Oriental Daily (25/08/06) Interview

Louisa once again showed her cooking skills, being the hot favourite, she won "Beautiful Cooking's" final. Overnight she swept away the Mrs Whoever's to become the cooking idol of the new generation. Even cooking expert Walter Gei Hiu Wa has given way, lending his kitchen to let her "So Quali" (show her skills), cooking Fish in White Wine sauce with Tomato Salsa. With a beautiful woman in front of him, of course Walter has crossed his arms and waits for his meal, and has specially made some accessories to thank Louisa for her efforts.

Writer: Cheung Suk Ha
Photographer: Kwok Hoi Man
Make-up: Winki Tsang
Hair: Dicky Lam (Hair Concept @ W1)
Clothing: ZTAMP-Z
Location: Wow from Jia International Ltd

This interview began when Walter said "Louisa, you don't have to be so stubborn." Known to be earnest, the journalist helped Louisa to go around Causeway Bay to find the baby leeks for the accompaniment so that she could cook this dish well. Also there were some other ingredients that required three rounds of shopping before it was the right ones. When Louisa heard Walter's words "Louisa, you don't have to be so stubborn, you can use baby asparagus instead of baby leeks."

She immediately responded "Yes, I am really stubborn." Maybe it is this strong personality that has produced her outstanding performances on television, stage and in the kitchen.

Paying close attention to her cooking, Walter says "Did a French chef teach you to use toothpicks to thread the baby leeks when frying?"
Louisa (L) :"When I go out to dinner, I will especially notice the presentation of a dish, and hink about how the chef has made it. Also, I like reading cook books, and I think the photos are really, really beautiful, and register the cooking methods in of my mind."
Walter (W) : "How did you learn your cooking skills?"
L:"I learnt the basics during home economics class in High school, and came the top of my class for two consecutive years! After I relied on reading books and watching cooking shows."
W:"Do you have your most fulfilling cooking experience?"
L:"I have cooked for 16 people before. I was in charge from soup, entrée, main, dessert and drinks."
W:"Are drinks a course?"
L:"I think it is, I went to buy it myself. That time was a memorable experience."
W:"Your performance on Beautiful Cooking was outstanding, eel needs to be steamed to be delicious."
L:"That time I only placed black beans on the eel, Chef Ko (the chef judge that night) told me after that if you place the black beans all over, the flavour would be even more strong, but he praised me and said I was smart, knowing to place vermicelli underneath. The vermicelli absorbed the flavour from the eel, and can make up for the deficiency in flavour. Actually, at the time, I only saw the vermicelli, so I put it in the dish."
W:"Have you previously steamed eel?"
L:"No, this was my first time."
W:"Its your first time and you can cook Dragon Eel?"
L:"I have seen other people do it this way, of course apart from steaming, I couldn't think of another cooking method."
W:"Which goes to show you really like cooking, or you wouldn't be so attentive."
He made some small accessories: "Usually I cook, but today you are cooking so I have made a bracelet for your efforts."
L:"Its very delicate, what are the materials?"
W:"It is mainly coral rock that I bought from Beijing. They have some markets opened on the weekends, selling chinaware, pictures, old books, industrial materials, and I would buy these to make accessories, curtain hooks and ornaments."
L:"The curtain hooks have a festive feeling, and are really suitable to give as a wedding gift."
W:"When its your big day, I’ll make some as a gift to you."

Fish in White Wine Sauce with Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
1/2 Onion, diced
1/2 Carrot, diced
1/2 Leek
2 slices Fish
Seasoning
2 cups Water
1/2 cup White wine
2 teaspoons Thyme
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 tablespoon Olive oil
Method
1. Marinate fish with salt, pepper and olive oil for five minutes.
2. Heat the water. Add the onion, carrot, leek to the pan and cook until boiling. Then add wine, thyme until cooking. Cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
3. Add fish and cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
Tomato Salsa
Seasoning
1-2 tablespoons Olive oil
Tomato sauce
Ingredients
2 Tomatoes
3-4 Basil leaves
5-6 Baby leeks
Method
1. Cut baby leeks into segments, and thread onto toothpicks. Add a little oil to the pan and cook until both sides are golden. Place on plate, and remove toothpicks.
2. Remove seeds from tomatoes and dice. Coarsely shop basil leaves and add to tomatoes, along with olive oil and tomato sauce.
3. Add fish to baby leeks, and tomato salsa. Add herbs for garnish.

Image credits: Oriental Daily, TVB

Maggie Cheung - Made in Hong Kong - Free Walker Interview

Made in Hong Kong – Maggie Cheung

I didn’t know Maggie Cheung having not worked with Maggie before.
So for this interview, I searched some websites to get to know her.
From the search, there were things such as “Maggie spokeswoman for chest enlargement pills,” “Maggie and Charmaine set the record straight at War and Beauty function,” “Maggie goes to court for driving offence,” “Rumour queen Maggie is rumoured to be on not so friendly terms with William Chang”….
Or that Maggie likes eating mangoes, drinking Iced Cappuccino, is short sighted left eye 1.75, right eye 1.50…..and similar information.
Nonsense! This is not knowing Maggie

To get to know someone is definitely not easy. Browsing websites and hearing others comments definitely does not mean understanding. This is especially so when it comes to understanding a celebrity. Like what Maggie said towards the end of our chat: “Its best that people do not know of your success, also its best if people do not know you have money. It takes a long time for me to understand someone and to trust them.” Correct! It takes time to understand someone, especially I Hong Kong. Everyone has a different take as to how to understand someone, and the definition of understanding is also different for your each person.

A provincial Canton maiden, Maggie went to boarding school in England at the age of 13, living there for 8 years. Having part Westernised personality, after returning to Hong Kong she was involved in the design profession, as well as the stock market, before entering the entertainment circle. In 1991, the record company organized for her to join 3 other girls of similar age to form the all girl group ‘Peanut Girls,’ releasing one record under this name. In 1994, she joined the Miss Hong Kong pageant and received the “Most Acting Potential” award, soon after signing with TVB. She received the Anniversary award for her role in King of Yesterday and Tomorrow, as well as “Most Memorable Character” for her role in Old Time Buddy. Recently, her role of On Sin in War and Beauty also gained popularity. She also had the lead role in To Live and To Love, a big budget Mainland production filmed in China. Maggie has obviously worked hard for these numerous gains. She roamed freely overseas in the past, but silently making a “Hong Kong Maggie Cheung.”

Hong Kong Actress

"You need strong perseverance to work as an actress in Hong Kong, and need to be frequently armed with weapons, as well as really knowing how to pick up opportunities. I think I have been rather lucky, at least I have had many opportunities, and able to seize the opportunities. There is nothing to talk about if there were no opportunities. Since the opportunity has come, you can’t wait to seize this or it will be something you will regret. Being an artist you need to go and learn, watching more foreign performances, like comedies, dramas, singing, or even be a host. Being an artist now requires you to know a lot so you can enrich yourself, and be able to come forward once an opportunity comes your way, this is a really important issue.

“My theory is going up is not difficult, but able to sustain a certain position is hard. Starting from scratch to now hasn’t been too hard for me. The difficulty is how to keep your standard, and sustaining a good result. The most difficult is allowing yourself to progress to that next step. But for an actress, apart from hard work, timing and luck is also really important. This has been my thinking that has not changed ever since entering the industry.”

“In the past I have work in design, and tried a few years in the stock market, and have sat for the exams and have a licence. I return and work there at anytime. But being an actress is fate, I didn’t work for it. Earlier I did sing, but when I participated in Miss Hong Kong I had no intentions, and smoothly entered the acting profession, having now worked for 10 years.”

Hong Kong Woman

“After having acted as many ancient characters, I have been able to experience the feudal laws of the past. A woman today requires freedom, and a woman without freedom is a very painful issue. In Hong Kong, Hong Kong woman can have some degree of freedom, but to enhance your own freedom, you need to be financially independent. Being financially independent can protect your freedom.

“Financial independence requires a lot of time, effort and thinking to get, giving up a little freedom before to gain the added freedom after. That is actual freedom. I think that is considerably worth it, there was also a considerable feeling of satisfaction and prosperity. Being able to protect this is actual freedom. Feelings are different, because you can’t control it. There may not be returns from the feelings you invest in. Others will see your work, the amount of gains results from the amount of effort.”

“Although I have had times when I was dismayed, and this was in relation to my work, and it was pressure from the media because I can’t control it. I will always say [If you invited me to act, I can do it for free. If you invite me to do something as a celebrity, I can’t do it for free.] Because I have to give up a lot of freedom, like I really hate myself when I say I am used to the paparazzi and Hong Kong media, because I really am not used to it.

“I really respect Fu Ming Xia, able to gain success on the Olympic arena, but overnight made a 180 degree transition and married someone, and became a housewife. I really look forward to the day when I can do this, cut off the issues at hand, and cook at home, take the children to school, and look after my husband. I hope that my life has a beginning and an end , and there can be a comparison, not wanting to be an actress but doing it to the end. But I also understand that this should come naturally and is up to God to decide. If he wants you to be an actress until you are 60, then you have to do it until you are 60, its not always you that can decide.”

Life in Hong Kong

“I am a very straight forward person, I will say what I think. For me, life is Hong Kong is very narrow. Hong Kongers are easily influenced by others. Maybe it’s the size of Hong Kong. Like if you see someone successfully doing something, you think you can also do this yourself and compare yourself to them. The work environment, family and friends circles are too close, and you will bump into someone at any time, in any place, able to know their whereabouts. So no matter if its good or bad, you will influence each other. Overseas is rather bigger, and people are rather individual.

“I think that the ideal lifestyle is where there is a balance of friends love and family love, and even the work mode requires some form of balance. Now there basically isn’t any time, no time for leisure, no time to see your family because of filming, only getting three or four hours sleep over two days, and continuing to act in front of the camera despite exhaustion. When one has reached a certain stage, they need some excitement in their life to balance themselves.

“I really want to go and experience nature, like dams. Hong Kong really lacks those expansive natural attractions. Even the harbour is filled with boats, and surrounded by skyscrapers. I like hiking, cycling, and connecting with nature. I really want to go on a Safari, then India, Tibet, where I can be close with nature, these are places where one should experience in your lifetime. I don’t want to go and enjoy these places when I’m too old to run. But Hong Kong had a moment which really touched me, and that was SARS. I deeply felt the unity between Hong Kongers. Together everyone experienced this tragedy, experienced the ups and downs, and experienced happiness and sadness in this valued experience.

Through this photo shoot and interview, I don’t know if I have understood Maggie. But from the photo shoot, and the study of the costumes, makeup, hairstyle and subjects etc, she is really a serious person and has demands on herself. Being an artist, she has respect. Being an interviewee, she has thought about how to answer each question. As the writer, I think I have progressed in my understanding of Maggie, and I will need more time and opportunities to increase my understanding. Worried that the writer is not an artist, the situation is the same. Everyone has a different take as to how to understand someone, and the definition of understanding is also different for your each person.

Image Credits: hoyee4u

Life is a play - knowing when to retreat - Economic Times (03/07/06) Louisa So interview

Whether it's the theatre world or the television circle, early on, the quality of Louisa's acting has always been guaranteed. This week we head into the finale week of Men In Pain. Her acting is not overbearing, and is dignified.

For this lead actress in the theatre world, her acting philosophy is actually based on this attitude: "Theatre is also called play, which means you have to have the point of view of playing. If you are not craving to act, or are not happy when acting, the audience can see it." She has a relaxed mood when dealing with serious issues. These are the boundaries in which she pursues life.

Having just enjoyed a month long break in New York, and not long after returning to HK, Louisa was promoting Men In Pain and doing interviews. Even though the schedule is tight, she has recharged her batteries, and her spirit is glowing.

She says that when Men In Pain just started airing, she was still in America, and when she returned she asked to borrow the videos from her friends to watch the first few episodes, and asked her family to see what others thought of the series. "Television hardly has series of this type of genre, and some of the subjects including sex life are truly quite sensitive. We chose farce method acting to deal with these issues, which can dilute this sensitivity. In the beginning the audience may not be used to it, but looking at it now it seems that they have accepted the tone of the series."


Getting stronger when meeting strong

Comedy depends on the artists and how they control the rhythm which is matched with their energy. This time, there is definitely sparks between Louisa So and Damian Lau. Earlier, both worked together in The Awakening Story. Louisa says she sees chemistry again between them. They discussed and planned how to bring out the comedy in many of their arguing scenes and bedroom scenes (like the scene where she tempts her husband).

"When you act and don't have confidence in your partner, the feeling won't be comfortable, and you will easily give up, thinking [whatever... let's not discuss it.] This time, we did not give up in any of the scenes. Everyone had a strong sense of originality. I'm a person who gets stronger when I meet someone stronger. The two months of filming were stimulating, like a feeling of learning the new moves."

Without doubt, having the opportunity to act in a series of this genre is a challenge for an actor, and strictly speaking, this is Louisa's first series since joining TVB in 1995 in which she is the lead actress in a big budget series. This time she was invited by producer Poon Ka Tak to work together on this series. Actually, Poon already saw her perform while she was studying at HKAPA, and he has watched all her recent musical performances.

"At the time when I moved from the drama circle into the television industry, when I was still a nobody, he was the one who picked me to play Gigi in DIF 1. At the time people didn't believe I was the sentimental Fung Ping in I Have a Date with Spring. He was one who could see my acting ability, and my flexibility. He was also the producer who believed I could control this role, I am indeed grateful to him."

Learning from the expert

Ever since joining TVB, Louisa's exposure rate has increased, and her acting skills have gained increasing approval, especially Misleading Track with Derek Wan. She became noticed playing the nervous housewife, and many new artists think of her as their idol, and will specially go to the studio to watch Louisa act, and learn from the sidelines. Louisa laughs and says she hasn't noticed, but after Misleading Track, she has indeed felt that many people have asked her about acting. However, frankly, she says she does not like to 'teach acting', and only likes to 'discuss acting' with fellow actors.

"Teaching is to tell you to do something that I think is right. Actors should have their own individual thoughts, which give a character its soul. Acting requires sharing, and you can not be selfish. In the most enjoyable films, the artists interact, and exchange ideas, and its not about one person showing off."

In recent years Louisa has been working in both television and theatre, and has a part contract with TVB, and every year maintains an output of 1 to 2 series. In regards to musicals, every time, she meticulously chooses scripts and characters, and will not casually step onto the stage. "The theatre is a place that allows me to improve, I really treasure every opportunity I have to perform in a musical, and I hope that these can broaden my ability."

"When my career was just beginning, I really needed the sense of security. Every decision needed to be stable, and there couldn't be any mistakes. Now I will choose to do things that I don’t know whether I can do."

Perfect Lover

The theatre has not only been a place where Louisa has established her career, but has brought her a destined match. Boyfriend Poon Chan Leung is also a dramatic actor. Meeting at HKAPA, their love has continued for 10 years. But when talking about marriage, or even having children, Louisa has always had an attitude to wait and see."

"I still enjoy the freedom of being single. I can't imagine myself getting married and having children, or maybe I can't carry out this great sacrifice." However, secretly, Louisa is a cooking expert, able to invite 16 people over for a banquet, cooking entrée through to dessert. During her school days, she was the top of her class in home economics. "I believe I can be a good housewife, and a good mother. I am ready anytime, but I don't need to move to this step. My life is already beautiful, and I don't need to have such a dramatic change."

Being independent, does she need to keep a distance with her other half? "It is not intended, but there is naturally a space. Currently I live by myself, while he lives with his mum. Of course there are times when we will be together, but there doesn't need to be firm rules, like living under the same roof."

Louisa speaks frankly about enjoying this type of freedom, and says indeed that both partners need to put in the effort to maintain their relationship. "Certainly I will have other pursuers, and control depends on my own strength. We both really trust each other, and we have common interests, topics and friends. He also really understands me, and this aspect is unquestionable. I think, its (love) not about choosing the best person, but it is about choosing the most suitable person. It is already perfect that we can be together."

New York theatre experience

Its been almost 10 years since Louisa has enjoyed a long vacation, and finally after Love In A Fallen City finished its Beijing performance this year, Louisa flew to America with no US dollars exchanged, living a month as a New Yorker. Living at her friend's place, watching musicals, going to concerts, visiting museums, going to acting workshops was part of her daily life, extremely enjoyable.

"I didn't plan this trip. I found the workshop online when I arrived. I attended a one week acting workshop. The black teacher could see that I was an experienced actor, and invited me to stay for free classes. He also found theatre professor that teaches mask work from Yale University to attend the class with me. Having the opportunity to come into contact with these people is very rare."

"In New York, many big stars appeared on stage. I attended Lionel Richie's concert, and watched musicals performed by actresses like Cindy Luper, Julia Roberts and Cynthia Nixon."

"The most enjoyable was The History Boys starring Olivier Clark. At the time the Tony Awards were being held. Coincidently, I was watching The History Boys receiving a Tony. I immediately ran to the theatre which was holding the award ceremony, and waited by the backstage door for stars, it was very silly but I was very happy."

The night before she left, Louisa watched a free performance in Central Park. "This year they performed Shakespeare's Macbeth. I especially queued for two days to get the tickets. This was a memorable experience to be able to watch this performance. We watched the performance while the sky gradually became darker."

Image credits: Louisa Square

Louisa didn't want to get married after she turned 28 - SingTao (08/07/06) Louisa So Interview

Before asking Louisa to do this interview, I was going to let her speak freely about women's pain, only because Louisa has been in the television industry for 10 years, giving people the impression of self-confidence and maturity, knowing she definitely had some wise words from experience. It was not until after researching for this interview, that I realised I was to be mistaken, as Louisa is not like typical women complaining about their pain, and was even a lucky woman. No wonder Louisa does not mind being a woman again in her next life, she sweetly says "No matter how much pain a woman goes though, they still have men that love them!"

Being a woman is really not easy? Looks, relationships, profession...while age is slowly increasing, worries may also increase. Women are born to love beauty, but age creeps up upon us, and women are more afraid of aging compared to men. One more wrinkle around the eyes will worry them for more than half a day, and many women spend money and care to protect their skin. Louisa's skin is white but glowing, healthy and full of vigour. Actually, she does not purposely spend money or effort into protecting her skin.

"The most important is to keep an open mind, have a good heart and having a pure heart is also really important. I am someone who has made rules in my life, I don't smoke, I don't drink, and try to have enough sleep. I am not against people who do plastic surgery, if they once had their face disfigured, then having plastic surgery is undisputable. However if it is because of a few wrinkles and they go for a face lift, then I don't think its necessary. People will definitely age, but our “heart” is the most important, a 60 or 70 year old woman can be beautiful and graceful. A person who has a good heart and has tutelage won't be that ugly, right?"

Women past thirty hope that they will quickly find their other half, in addition to the situation in Hong Kong where there are more males than females, making women more worried. Louisa really doesn't have to worry on this front, she has dated Hong Kong Repertory Theatre actor boyfriend Poon Chan Leung for 10 years, both saying their relationship is stable, and she isn't in any rush to marry.

"Being a modern women, marriage isn't a problem. When I was twenty something I did want to get married, but after I turned 28, I didn't especially think about it, the most important is that we are both compatible. Marriage is really just a marriage certificate. I think that men and women belong to two different planets. Both our values and the way we handle situations is completely different. A married couple needs to be together for life, both need to face big and small situations, and this is a highly difficult matter. It is truly a large piece of "art" and knowledge.

Currently, the work pressures of women in Hong Kong are equivalent to men, many females have to balance family with their profession, with some even working in high ranking positions. Although Louisa puts high expectations on her work, engrossed in every single job, and for a series she may not see her family for two to three months, but Louisa does not feel the pressure.

"I think completing each job is a must, so I don't feel the pressure, and I won't force myself to take jobs I don't like, not letting myself suffer the pain, so I basically don't have much pressure. If I was to take a job, I will envisage the type of environment and problems I will be facing."

If there was such thing as reincarnation, Louisa says she hopes in her next life she will continue to be a woman. She says "A woman maybe born to suffer, including psychological pain, and even though I am quite strong, in the end I would still want to be a woman, because no matter how much a woman suffers, they will have someone who loves them."

Comprehend - TVB 473 Louisa So Interview

Last year, Louisa played a brain cancer victim in the musical Superman Forever, willingly shedding what women consider their second life, shaving her tresses of hair.

This year, she played missing for a month, going to USA for acting workshops, while at the same time attending theatre performances.

However this "Drama Fanatic" stands her ground, "Drama is not as important to me as one may think. In actual fact, I can not do drama at any time."

This misunderstanding is because Louisa is serious about doing things, and aims for perfection. Stepping onto the stage, she has been garnered with various awards, and has expanded her horizons, travelling the world for her acting profession. For this interview she went to the boutique to select her clothes, borrowing five sets and in the end only selecting two that were worthy of appearing on screen, this reflecting her attitude. "That's why nine out of ten people think I am a Virgo, seeking perfection, but actually, I am a hardworking, stable Taurus, well suited to an open-minded, easy-going Leo."

One is able to find the strengths of three star signs from Louisa because she understands the right attitude to life "Work Hard, Play Hard."

Happiness from poverty

Living in poverty in my childhood years has made me learn to cherish.

My family with almost 10 members crammed into a housing commission flat, my parents working to earn a living. My mum was working on a construction site when she was "carrying" me, and she was working, like usual, even on the day she gave birth to me. It was not until she finished work and was about to get on the bus, where the bus driver refused to let her on the bus, that she realised her water broke, and immediately walked to the hospital to give birth. Maybe it is because while my mum was carrying me, she was working tirelessly, that this gave me strength even before I was born, and so like her, we are both very healthy.

Not growing up in a rich family, I have been responsible since I was little, and was a well-mannered child not saying a word. I still remember the days when I was in primary school, where I would hold my two younger brothers hands with both of my hands, and go to the market to buy groceries to make dinner.

Life was crowded but happy, I understand what I have today has not been easy to obtain, requiring hard work, and dedication, to gain the good results. I have given so I can peacefully say that it is deserved, and when I sleep at night it is especially fragrant and sweet.

I have always been the model student in school, receiving acting awards and today's television industry success. Not through connections or favours, but through a tough battle.

I do not describe myself as a gifted artist, so I have put in large amounts of hard work, tirelessly training, and in regards to the results, I won't be embarrassed or humble. A great amount of people will association me with drama, not only am I thankful, but it proves I am really a person passionate about acting. Of course when there are occasions where I can play, I will play to the extreme, like when I go on game shows, I will play like crazy.

To have an enjoying lifestyle, find the meaning of life, there are actually so many aspects of life truly worthy of enjoyment.

Essentials left unscathed

My family think that I am way too pure. My sister called me earlier on the phone urging me to be careful not let people use me.

This came after an incident in America where I met this friend who had really nice teeth. He said that he was born with teeth, and has changed his teeth more than twice, even if they fall out, they will automatically grow back. I really believed him, and was not only envious but praised and said "Wah! So unique, I really haven't met anyone like that. It was not until my family were suspicious that this friend was toying with me, that I realised his intentions. But this is bad, and I didn't lose anything, instead I am happy, I can meet this special person. Even if he teases me in front of others, I won't lose out.

Each incident has a "true side." I once worked with another artist who didn't have such a good image, a lot of people would chase me about it. "How are they? It seems they are not that nice." But during our encounter, he treated me well, and played his character well, and we could interact normally, and our friendship and working relationship was comfortable and natural.

I can adjust my own perspective, and I don't need to listen to what others say, because I have eyes, ears and judgement.

Even if I was hurt, I would be like the computer with a delete button, deleting it with one push of the button, like as if nothing has happened. Once I was hurt by a very dear friend using the most cruel method. I was very hurt, very upset, but I chose to forgive him, letting go. Actually I need to thank him for teaching me how to look after friendships. Actually I need a shield to protect myself. When certain things happen, I need to be vigilant.


I can stop acting anytime

A lot of people like asking me: "If you weren't an actress what would you do?" This question is really hard to answer...

From my point of view I can stop acting at anytime, and there was a time when I was really exhausted, so exhausted I wanted to give up, but that was just instantaneous, after I slept on it, the next day I went to work as usual. Exhaustion is a good thing, at least you know that people still want to use you. In fact, busy or not, I don't think that is important, since life is full of ups and downs.

My trip to America gave me insight, and I hope that I can experience the lifestyles of different counties. Besides visiting the tourist attractions, I want to experience the different atmosphere (culture), lifestyle and ideologies.

In New York I found that there were many expectant white women that were dressed super trendy and sexy, and apart from being pregnant they were pushing another baby (stroller). But I can feel that they are really enjoying life, as well as having faith in the future of our society. They are young yet have decided to create a large family.

Can this happen in Hong Kong? Everyone does not want to marry, let alone have children, and are only concerned with earning more money, and have calculated that they do not have enough money to have children, and are really only concerned with paying off the house first.

While I was in those relaxed surroundings, I was thinking that I can also be like those expectant mothers, and give up everything now, and go travelling or marry, have children, and only need to wait for that moment to come, I will feel it, I don't need to plan ahead, because life is full of changes, and possibilities.

I only need to still exist, and then continue living well."

Image credits: Louisa Square