'Silver Spoons Sterling Shackles' Scenes Too Intense, 4 Episodes Were Cut

Popular TV Queen candidate Tavia Yeung challenges Kate Tsui's 1 second gang rape scene in Highs and Lows with her 1 minute 'lip-biting' kiss scene with Damian Lau in anniversary series Silver Spoon Sterling Shackles (SSSS). In terms of momentum, apparently Tavia is riding the winds. It was understood, the SSSS scenes are going to get more and more intense as more episodes broadcast. In the later episodes, Tavia will have a rape scene as well and Elena Kong won't be weak either as she'll have intense kiss and intimate scenes with Ron Ng. It was said Damian and the kiss scenes with his 4 wives were developed by the artists themselves and wasn't in the script.

When TVB first started shooting SSSS, Ricky Wong from CTI was already in the process of his mass recruitment, therefore SSSS lacked behind-the-scenes crew. Usually a 40 episode series requires at least 7-8 directors, but TVB only had 4 directors and there were several new scriptwriters in the crew. It was understood, Damian participated in developing the script and dialogue and actively tried to communicate with everyone in the crew.

Damian frankly expressed he handled several different relationships, which was quite challenging. "One person having to look after so many people, that can get very complicated, so of course I had to go communicate with the others. Everyone in the Chung Family was part of the group chat, which gave us all more opportunities to communicate." Did he add on the kiss scenes with Tavia, Elena and his other wives himself? Did he communicate with them on how they should shoot these type of scenes beforehand? "We all must have communication. If it wasn't useful, then they wouldn't have listened to me. Actually we just used the most concise way to convey the different relationships I had with the four wives. The first episode clearly explained how my relationship was with the first three wives. Just like third wife, Elena Kong, she likes to take initiatives and I take a lot of initiatives with second wife Idy Chan. First wife, Mary Hon, I don't even care about her. The first episode conveys my relationships with the wives before unfolding the actual story."

Regarding the rumor that Damian came up with the dialogue and the details for every segment of the series? He denied: "It's like that for every series, we communicate during the course of the production. It is not that artists do whatever they are told to do and can't put their own creativity into it. It is just like someone gives you the resources, you can't change anything and just have to write it in that way, would that be fine with you? Not really."

Producer Chong Wai Kin expressed: "The script is written with all the scenes that each character has. For example, Tavia and Damian's kiss scene, they had to express feelings of love and hate, that will rely on their communication. There are actually less than five of those so-called 'heavy aftertaste' scenes in the entire series. Also, we had cut out a lot of scenes, like the explanation for Tavia thinking she's infertile was because of her past. Back then when she was working her way up to become the lead Peking opera singer, she actually got raped before. We will only be broadcasting her flashback after she had been raped and the scene just shows her sitting by her rapist crying. We just had a very short scene to explain it. The kiss scenes were the same. A lot of the lip-biting scene between Tavia and Damian were cut. In addition, there was a scene where Bella Lam, who plays Rebecca Zhu's younger sister commits suicide by biting her tongue, but several parts of that scene was cut because it was too terrifying. Actually, we cut four episodes worth of scenes."

As the discussion topics for Tavia is just circling around the "heavy aftertaste" scenes, Tavia said: "It's just a talking point. The scene is necessary for the plot because men during that time period had several wives. Women had to do everything they could to keep the man's heart. As the lip-biting kiss scene was the most memorable, Tavia expressed it's not only memorable for the audience, but also a memorable moment for her while she was shooting the scene. Was the scene really added in by Damian or was it part of the script? She said: "Actually the script did say we would kiss, and I chatted with Damian about it prior to the shoot. We discussed if I also bite his lip, it would better convey how much more character loves and hates him."

Elena responded to her seductive lap dancing scene, she said: "In fact, Damian and I learned from a dance instructor because I don't know how to dance at all. The outcome was pretty good, since I've always been on the tomboy side, so this dance showed another side of me. As for the 'heavy aftertaste scenes', I believe its because audience rarely sees Damian, Tavia and I do such scenes. Later in the series, when Damian starts neglecting me, I hook up with Ron Ng and we have a heated kiss scene."

Source: Mingpao Weekly, HKChannel (scans)
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum

Rumored Series: 'A Chip Off the Old Block' & 'Divas In Distress' Combined

TVB series Divas In Distress (巴不得媽媽) ended on Sunday with high ratings peaking at 36 points. Aside from the Koo Ming Wa gaining recognition from his role as 'So Gay', rising star Mandy Wong's role 'Kwai Yee Hei' and Eliza Sam 'Princess Heung Heung' has also been big hits. Netizens support Mandy for the Best Supporting Actress award this year. Since the "巴不得" franchise has been so well-received [previous one was A Chip off the Old Block (巴不得爸爸)], it was rumored TVB plans to produce a combination of the two series, No Wonder Father Mother (怪不得爸媽) in May 2013 with the same cast from both series. However, it was understood producer Poon Ka Tak will be working on The Hippocratic Crush II for 4 months next year, so the rumored series probably won't happen in May.

As Netizens are supporting Mandy to get the Best Supporting Actress award this year, she happily expressed: "I really want to get the 'Most Improved Award' too. I'm not greedy, but if I get nominated for Best Supporting, that is already good enough. I had 4 series this year and this had been the best role. There were a lot of scenes from the inner heart. (Who is the Best Supporting Actress in your heart?) The mute-deaf girl, Nancy Wu, in Gloves Come Off because the role is really hard to portray. Also, I have always admired her acting. There is also Aimee Chan from The Last Steep Ascent, she is pretty good as well. (Your strongest opponents?) Not like that, I'm taking it slowly."

Regarding Him Law, Mandy expressed their on-screen pairing has been very well-received in the public, she said: "More opportunities to earn extra income. There are companies inviting us for work, and there are also jobs with Oscar Leung." In regards to Him Law's earlier 'car incident' with Tavia Yeung, did she comfort him? She said: "I bumped into him in the studio before, he said not even one SMS from me, but friends are in the heart. Silence is already support, just one eye contact and pat on the shoulder is enough."

As for Chin Kar Lok, he joked the producer was brave to have casted him as the male lead. Besides praising Koo Ming Wa's outstanding acting skills, Kar Lok also thought Mimi Chu and King Sir's romance was touching.

Source: Singtao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum

Possibly the 'Final' TVB series, Ella Koon Stutters: Please Don't Cut Scenes

Yesterday Ella Koon, Raymond Lam, Kate Tsui, Michael Miu and the rest of the cast of TVB new series Highs and Lows attended the promotional event. Because Ella just signed a contract with Warner Music, this may be the 'end' for her on TVB. She frankly expressed TVB had always treated her well, "Today, the stage set has my picture on it and there is another promotional event on the 13th that I will be attending as well. (It was rumored you weren't on the promotional clips?) I don't know. I just finished dubbing, I still have scenes. (You were prepared to not have any?) Nope, I hope it won't be cut!" She expressed her record company will also send out someone to find out, she believes her scenes won't get cut.

When asked if she's worried this might be her 'final' TVB series? She stuttered: "I hope not. Since my debut, TVB has given me a lot of opportunities. We had pleasant collaborations and I want this to continue." When asked if its because TVB had a singer contract with her former company that she was still able to appear on TVB? She said: "I don't know, but I think the old contact ends in December. (Can still renew contact?) Anything could be resolved, Never Say Never. I have a relationship with TVB and I will face the situation positively."

Kate expressed in the series, she'll have scenes of getting gang raped and drug injections. When she did those scenes, she put in all her effort and when asked if she's trying to get the TV Queen title? She said: "If I'm nominated first!"

Source: Mingpao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum

'Divas In Distress' Supporting Actors Steal the 'Big Sisters' Limelight

TVB series Divas In Distress mainly focuses on Liza Wang and Gigi Wong's 30 years of competition, but after the series began broadcasting, the two Big Sisters' limelight were completely stolen by the newcomers and green leaf artists, such as 'New Elegant Goddess' Eliza Sam, 'So Gay' Koo Ming Wa, the young couple Him Law and Mandy Wong and even green leaf artists Mimi Chu and King Sir.

In last night's episode (ep14), Eliza had a scene where she was trying to gather news at the beach in her bathing suit. Once she got into the water, she looked very attractive and caught a lot of attention. She's getting more and more popular as Netizens praised that she's very hot. However, there was another group that criticized her immature and stiff acting, she still has a lot to improve on. Another popular scene happened near the end of the episode, where Mimi Chu and King Sir met again after 10 years. The two suddenly started speaking Mandarin while Teresa Cheung's Undying Love (情義兩心堅) played in the background. This combination created a comedic scene. Netizens greatly complimented how great the scene was, very funny and they even joked following Mimi and Eliza's earlier argument in English, Mimi and King Sir's meeting in Mandarin, the next languages to appear in the series should be Korean and Japanese.

Experienced actor Koo Ming Wa plays So Gay, he easily grasp the comedic feel. He had a very touching mother-son scene earlier, which got him more than 50,000 supporters on Facebook to get "Best Supporting Actor" and "Most Improved Actor" awards this year.

Him Law and Mandy Wong play a couple in this series. With all the twists and turns in their relationship, Netizens were getting very anxious as they watched. In episode 14, the two finally got back together against all odds. Netizens praised that they are a very sweet couple.

Source: Mingpao
Translated by: aZnangel @ AsianEU Forum

Ruco Chan Pushed to First Line: Coupled with Linda Chung

TVB will be filming the 30-episode grand production "Big Wheel", which goes through different decades. Produced by Amy Wong, the male leads are TVB's new siu sang Ruco Chan and the recently heavily promoted Edwin Siu. The story is about the two's brotherhood. The two will go from 20 years old to 50 years old. TVB is also spending money by planning to film in Macau for a month. Producer Amy Wong expressed that TVB is investing a lot to film this time. The storyline will film from 1991 to 2013. Because Ruco's character is a police officer in the beginning, there will be many action scenes, and will also be a pair with Linda Chung in the series. Other actors include Kristal Tin, Louis Yuen, etc.

Edwin Siu Excited to Be a Lead

When reporters interviewed Ruco over the phone, he frankly said that he would be collaborating with Linda for the first time: "Actually, she is actress I really like...gives people a feeling that is very comfortable. In the series, I like her a lot, but there will be some triangle relationship". When talking about having to film action scenes, Ruco frankly said that, although having to film three series consecutively, form is extremely good...believe to be able to handle it. As for Edwin, he expressed that he will be having a significant role for the first time...really anticipating it. When being interviewed, he expressed that, since he is a Foshan person in the series, has to do a more Mainland feel. When talking about TVB promoting him to become a first-line siu sang position, he said, "I accumulated a lot these few years. Have gone from a few episodes to a lead now in these two years...feel very excited. (Many people left, so there are opportunities?) People can see when everyone works hard". Linda also expressed having anticipation for this series. When talking about collaborating with Ruco for the first time, she frankly said that she is happy, and even praised him for being a good actor.

FYI: Before Moses Chan was pulled out of this series, he and Ruco Chan were supposed to play brothers, and the series was supposed to take place in the '80s.

Source: orientaldaily
Translated by: hyn5 @ 幸而城 Fortunate City