Tuesday November 17, 2009
Singer at heart
By SETO KIT YAN
Dashing Hong Kong actor Kevin Cheng hopes to return to his singing roots.
KEVIN Cheng Ka Wing might have made his name as one of Hong Kong Television Broadcasts’ (HK-TVB) top leading men, yet the actor continues to nurture a dream to further his singing career.
Starting his entertainment career as a model and singer, Cheng found fame instead as an actor and amassed a huge fanbase acting in TVB series.
More dashing than ever at 40, the San Francisco native revealed that he still enjoys singing and has been taking singing lessons to improve his vocals.
Nurturing a dream: ‘I truly enjoy singing so I’m still waiting for the opportunity to cut a new album,’ says Kevin Cheng. “I discovered that westerners approach singing differently. I went to America and took vocal lessons – up to six lessons.
“They were able to answer many of my questions that eastern vocal coaches could not.”
Signing up with Polygram in 1993, Cheng released his self-titled debut album the same year.
After another four albums, he went on a nine-year hiatus, before making a comeback in 2006 with Cantonese album Can’t Endure.
“I truly enjoy singing so I’m still waiting for the opportunity to cut a new album. Otherwise, it would still remain a hobby for me.”
The handsome actor was in Kuala Lumpur recently with artistes Susan Tse, Joe Ma and Sharon Chan to attend various TVB promotional activities.
Having appeared in 23 TV series and six films, he won the best actor award at the 2006 TVB Anniversary Awards and the My Favourite Character Award at the 2007 Astro Awards for his portrayal of Alan Shum in Under The Canopy Of Love.
Cheng’s latest drama airing in Hong Kong now is Beyond The Realm Of Conscience (Gong Sum Gai).
Set in the later years of the Tang Dynasty, the 33-episode costume series is one of two epic productions to commemorate TVB’s 42nd anniversary celebration. It also stars Moses Chan and Charmaine Sheh.
Cheng plays Ko Hin Yeung, a palace scholar and chess teacher. He is paired for the third time with Sheh who portrays Lau Sam Ho, a palace maid.
After saving the life of Prince Lee Yi played by Chan, they are promoted to Palace General and Head of Jewellery Proceedings, respectively.
Some say the story is based on the hit South Korean series, The Jewel In The Palace (2003).
“We have our own uniqueness though certain parts might appear to be like the Korean drama as the story also tells of a young girl in a palace.
“Morever, Jewel In The Palace deals with cuisine and our series showcases costumes and jewellery.”
Cheng and Sheh’s roles in the drama have scored them nominations for My Favourite Male Character and My Favourite Female Character, respectively, at this year’s TVB Anniversary Awards, which will be presented on Dec 4.
On the latest gossip of his troubled relationship with rumoured girlfriend Sheh, Cheng described her as a friend on-screen and off.
“Viewers are more interested in the quality and content of the dramas than gossip surrounding the artistes. Since I have no control over that, I will just have to regard it as further publicity for the dramas.
“If such publicity can drum up interest among television viewers to tune in to the programme, then so be it.”
Cheng has known Sheh for eight years and first worked with her in Point Of No Return (2003).
Rumours of their courtship surfaced last year when they starred in Forensic Heroes 2 (2008).
In the series, which will air on ntv7, Cheng plays bomb disposal expert-turned-forensic analyst Ivan Yeung Yat Sing alongside the original cast of Bobby Au-yeung, Frankie Lam and Yoyo Mung. Sheh plays his fiancee, narcotics officer Belle Ma Kwok Ying.
Cheng’s intense portrayal of bisexual tycoon Aaren Chong Man Hei in The Ultimate Crime Fighter (2007) is considered his breakthrough role. Playing a villain with murderous intent won him a nomination for My Favourite Male Character Role at the 40th TVB Anniversary Awards. in 2007.
“My character never thought he was doing any wrong. He was just cornered into doing whatever he had to do. I feel that in playing a villain, one must not think of oneself as a villain. This makes his psyche much clearer.”
Yuen Biao co-stars in the series and when asked if he faced any pressure filming alongside the veteran kung fu star, Cheng cheekily replied: “Oh no, none at all. All the things that he can do, we can’t.
“Honestly, we grew up watching these seniors in movies. We hope to be able learn from them, so we welcome more of such collaborations.”
So, which veteran artiste does he wish to collaborate with?
“Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau Tak Wah for starters. Actually, I wish to be able to work with all our veterans.
“It’s very different watching Tony Leung on-screen compared to his performance on the set. I fervently wish for the opportunity to watch him acting on the set.”
Cheng recently finished filming 30-episode martial arts series Tit Ma Chum Kiu (literally Iron Horse Seeking A Bridge in Cantonese), which also stars Kenneth Ma, Stephen Wong and beauties Shirley Yeung, Selena Li, Natalie Tong and Nancy Wu.
Later this month, he will start work on a series about music bands which will see him collaborating with Louise Lee and Yoyo Mung.
“As an actor, I look forward to expanding my range and playing some comedic roles. I always feel that it’s easier to make people cry than to make them laugh. It would be great if it is a way-out crazy comedy in the vein of Stephen Chow.”
Can the suave actor accept playing a hideous character?
“I most definitely can. Actually, I spoke with some TV producers about it and we were in the midst of working out a new show with a really horrible-looking character.
“Unfortunately, Angela Tong Ying Ying beat me to it (in her breakthrough role as Lee Siu Ho in Life Made Simple, 2005). So, I had to shelve my plans,” Cheng quipped ruefully.
Beyond The Realm Of Conscience is airing on Astro on Demand (Channel 901) at 8.30pm from Monday to Friday. Next year, viewers will see Cheng in The Ultimate Crime Fighter (8TV, January) and Forensic Heroes 2 (ntv7, September).
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