Since TVB's number one 'seun poon' (best deal) Moses Chan was taken by Aimee Chan, the good boy Kenneth Ma becomes the new generation seun poon. In a five day interview, Kenneth speaks truthfully about his love life, his family and his journey in showbiz. As Long As She's Happy
"Although I'm already 38 years old, I've only been in three relationships before. My first love was when I was still studying in Canada. The other two relationships happened after I entered the industry. The third relationship was with Nancy Wu. (Then who is the second relationship with?) I cannot disclose who she is! The second relationship, it was my first time dating after entering the industry. I don't want to say how we met, it was just from work. She is a very good girl. At the time, I really didn't know how to handle the relationship, but there were no rumors. I feared if our relationship surfaced, it would affect her. I can only say that there were some problems we couldn't resolve, so we decided to split up. There was no third party involved nor did it have anything to do with who had more fame.
(Were you two frightened because the paparazzi took pictures, so you broke up with her?) I have never said I've dated. If we get photographed then so be it. Maybe she's an actress who never had rumors with me! Haha! Don't force me to say who she is, this is a secret I cannot say.
If this relationship happened now, I think I would know how to handle it better or perhaps our relationship could be rewritten. But, she's already in a new relationship. I don't want to say if there is a chance for us to reconcile. (Isn't that a pity?) As long as I see she's happy and doing well. I have no regrets. After all, we had our happy moments together."
Dumped First Love Due to Fear of Mother Being Lonely
"My first girlfriend was when I was living in Canada. She later went to Toronto to continue her studies. Although I thought of going with her, but my two elder sisters were already studying elsewhere, my father remained in HK for work and if I left too, my mom would be lonely at home by herself. I was afraid she'll be lonely, which is very pitiful. So, I finally decided to stay in Vancouver and kept a long distance relationship with girlfriend. If I wanted to see her, I'll have to spend money on an air ticket and the telephone bill was really expensive. So, we were only able to maintain our relationship for a year and slowly it just ended."
[Kenneth goes on talking about his past rumors with Margie Tsang. He said they are very close friends, they can chat nonstop and have a lot in common. He also really admires her as a friend. Then he talks about his relationship with Nancy Wu. He only announced their relationship because there was such negative reports about her, such as she's a flirt and has a princess attitude. As a man, Kenneth believed he should come forward and give her justice. They met while shooting TITS, and only got closer after Strictly Come Dancing. Then she became his neighbor and they would go to and get off work together. Slowly the feelings built up and they got together. He said Nancy isn't a girl that controls her boyfriend, but sometimes she'll provide some encouragement or try to convince him to change the way he dresses. However, he didn't care about what she said. Kenneth said he and Nancy are better off as friends, they have less arguments and he has never thought of reconciling with her.]
I'm Different From Raymond Lam
"I rarely hang out with Raymond Lam, Bosco Wong or Ron Ng. We usually just meet at TVB. Back then when we were shooting series together, we all just liked the playful handsome guys, basically nobody cared about the acting. I have never thought we were competitors nor can I say we are good buddies, but at least we aren't fighting.
I never imagine who my enemies are and I don't compare myself to others. If I wanted to be jealous, I should be jealous of the soccer stars! They could play soccer while making millions of [British] pounds! (Envy Raymond Lam?) It looks like you are regarding it with that mentality. Raymond likes to sing, but I don't like being a singer. People say Raymond knows how to social, so he got promoted faster. I am not good at socializing. We have different paths. If I had to go out to socialize, I would die! Most of my classmates from the Artistes Training Class have already left, only a few of them are still waiting for opportunities. How can I say I'm not a lucky one? I only had no-name characters for three years and then I got the chance to be in Triumph in the Skies. I will only look at it like the 'half glass is full'. That is, I still have a half full glass, isn't that enough?"
[Kenneth expressed he rather get money than awards. Awards just serve as a source of encouragement. People say if you can be a favorite of the TVB executives, you will get the awards. Kenneth answered with a principle he thought really made sense: 'It is not what your abilities are, it is what your boss thinks of your ability.' He said he has an okay relationship with the executives, but not the best. Raymond is definitely a heavily promoted artist because TVB sees the strengths Raymond has that he doesn't have]
No Fear of People Calling Me Poor
"I have a specific and clear goal, that is to buy a bigger home, so my family can live comfortably. I have never been materialistic or liked to buy brand names. That's why people often tease that I don't have any taste in fashion. I am a practical person. I like to do calculations and usually I like to take the MTR. Although I do have a car, I think taking the MTR is more convenient. I don't mind if you say I'm stingy, but I clearly understand, if I spend money on my family and home, it is not consider a waste. I actually think buying million dollars cars and watches are a waste of money. I don't know where the value is there.
Compared to other celebrities, perhaps everyone thinks I'm strange, but if I'm not in this industry, then I'm pretty normal! I am not afraid of people calling me poor. Chow Yun Fat takes the bus, and you guys (the media) say he loves the citizens, so why is it when other celebrities take the MTR or go eat street food, then they're considered poor? It is based on how you set the standard. Taking the MTR, there are a lot of citizens coming up for autographs and pictures, but I don't think its an inconvenience for me at alll."
The Goods of Not Being The Lead Actor
"Actually whoever I collaborate with, I would learn a lot from them. For example, in At the Threshold of an Era, I played a stock broker. Because it was 'last minute scripts' at the time, I would get the script 30 minutes before shooting starts and I had a whole page of lines to memorize. So I NGed a lot! Everyone had to wait for me to get off work. At the time Gallen Lo was great, every time he saw me NG, he would tell me to take my time and didn't give me an attitude. He was very patient and a true First Brother!
Wayne Lai, Damien Lau and Benz Hui are all seniors I really admire. As long as you have the heart to go do it, they will definitely give you tips. I really admire Wayne because he has wife and kids, but can still be a First Brother. It just proves [actors] don't necessarily have to keep the Idol image, they can still get marry and still be popular. Damien's acting makes me feel like there is always something to learn in acting. Benz Hui's open-mindedness allows you to see the other side of things. He said before, it is beneficial when you're not the lead actor. For example, after every film press conference, the reporters would surround the leads asking about their personal life. He said, "It's so much more relaxing! Just brush your behind and leave!" I agree, it's much more comforting to be able to focus on your acting rather than dealing with gossip news.
Nobody has ever flattered me, even now that I'm more well known, it is the same. Since I came out of the Artistes Training Class, I'm still very chatty with the makeup artists and hairstylists. In the past, people said I'm mute because I can be silent for hours. I used to be afraid that I would offend someone if I said anything."
[Kenneth also mentions back during the financial crisis, he sent out 70 job applications and TVB was the only company that gave him a response. He was offered a salary of HK$4500/month. Kenneth recalls the Artistes Training Class days, it was really fun, even if he only had 3 lines to say, it was still good to see the leads on the set preparing. Sometimes when someone doesn't show up, the PA would tell him to take over and next time he'll get another line to say! It was fun.]
Regrets Yelling At Mother
"When I was young, I didn't know how to cherish things. I would treat my home as if it was a hotel. I only went home to eat and sleep. Until we immigrated to Canada, I was the only man in the family. I began to think if I should be more responsible and look after the family, it wouldn't be right to make my mother mow the lawn right? There is one picture I have in my memory, it is unforgettable. There was one time my mother accidentally put a very expensive T-shirt of mines into the washing machine with other colored clothing and dyed my shirt. At the time, I scolded my mother angrily and then I gave her the silent treatment. Later, I saw my mother on her knees hand-washing that T-shirt by the bathtub. That moment, I started tearing up. That T-shirt was over a thousand dollars, but if one day when my mom isn't here anymore, can I use that thousand dollars to buy my mom back?
My father was an engineer, he often says he's in the science field and really hopes his children could be college graduates, so he really worked hard to raise us. That time, I lived too far and even when I wanted to go out, it would be an hour drive. Also, seeing how difficult it was for my father to make a living, I would not only work part-time, but I stayed home almost every day. I had zero entertainment and concentrated only on studying. My degree was 'bored' out just like that. This is also how my personality of not-liking-to-go-out developed.
I never thought of moving away from my family, even after marriage, I hope to continue living with my parents. Convenient for us to look after each other. Currently, I am starting to have something considered as a career and can allow my parents to rely on me. This is actually quite satisfying. Today, I still like to link arms with my mom when we are out shopping. When I was 12 or 13 years old, I felt ashamed to do it and was afraid people would laugh at me for being immature. Actually, it is immature to be ashamed."
(END)
Myolie Wu & Margie Tsang responds
Margie Tsang: "Really thank Kenneth's compliments. I really like watching his series too! We'll be working hard together!"
Myolie Wu: "Even today Kenneth is still always saying he wants to pursue me, but I know he's just joking! He used to be really shy, always keeping everything to himself, every step he took, he had to stick by the wall. But now, he's much more open. He's always flirting with his assistant and makeup artists. This change is good. He turned from a shy quail to an artist who really has that 'celebrity-feel'. (He's always flirting, is he right for you?) As friends, it's fine, but I really never thought about it. Too unreal!"
Source: Oriental Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum
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