Ruco Chan, Edwin Siu Similar in More Ways Than One
There are no two people better suited to play brothers than Ruco Chan (陳展鵬) and Edwin Siu (蕭正楠). The onscreen brothers have a lot in common – not only are Ruco and Edwin the same age, they also attended the same primary school. Both have had brief experiences as singers. Both have thought about leaving the entertainment industry. Both have trenched through the outside world before returning to TVB in 2008.
Ruco’s Journey
“I graduated from TVB’s acting class when I was only 18,” said Ruco. “I had a lot of fantasies then. I would dream about being a singer. I would dream about being in a movie.”
Ruco made his debut appearance in the 1994 TVB drama Instinct <笑看風雲>. For the next two years, Ruco was only cast in small supporting roles. His dream to become an acclaimed artist was more difficult than he had originally imagined.
In 1996, Ruco attracted the attention of PolyGram’s So Tak Wah (蘇德華), who immediately recommended him to sign with PolyGram after he heard Ruco’s singing voice at a karaoke bar. Ruco recorded an EP and released several singles, but due to Hong Kong’s 1997 financial crisis, PolyGram failed in the market and the company was bought by a larger record label. Ruco’s contract became defunct and his EP release was canceled.
Before signing with ATV in 2002, Ruco worked as a table tennis instructor and a renovation worker, earning as little as only $300 HKD a day. “Those were difficult times, but I didn’t mind them. I was more worried about my future. I didn’t know which road to walk on. After being jobless for two to three years, I was losing contact with the entertainment industry. I thought about leaving it, but my friends and family were really supportive and encouraged me to continue. That’s when I joined ATV, and stayed there for six years.”
Ruco snagged a few leading roles in dramas during his time in TVB, but with ATV’s low ratings, Ruco had no commercial success. Ruco struggled during his time with ATV, expressing that he did not quite agree with how certain things operated in the station. When his contract with ATV ended in 2008, Ruco immediately signed with TVB. It turned out that TVB had already asked Ruco to return in 1997, after the sale of PolyGram.
Ruco’s return to TVB in 2008 was the baseline, as he allowed himself two years to make greater strides or he would quit the industry. Surely, two years later, Ruco achieved recognition for his performance as Chiu Man Hoi – a troubled former cop with dissociative identity disorder – in the crime drama, Every Move You Make <讀心神探>. In 2011, Ruco earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of the barrister Keith Lau from The Other Truth <真相>, cementing his position as TVB’s leading star.
Edwin’s Struggles
Edwin started off as an extremely popular idol singer in 2002. Earning sales certifications for his albums, Edwin was also cast in the 2003 idol drama Aqua Heroes <戀愛自由式>, leading over then-rookie actors Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) and Leila Tong (唐寧). Edwin’s future seemed bright, but his poor relationship with the Hong Kong press had always been his weakest point. “I didn’t know how to communicate with them. I didn’t know how to do anything, actually.”
Edwin’s negative rumors pushed him to leave Hong Kong for a new career in mainland China. His years in mainland China were some of the lowest times in his life. “I had to move away from my home, and I was often homesick. At the time, the entertainment industry in mainland China was not very reliable and my income dropped to an all-time low. I did many things that were not related to singing. My Mandarin was also terrible. I could not see a future.”
Edwin thought about quitting. He thought about starting a small business in Beijing, but when his mother begged him to return to Hong Kong in 2008, Edwin decided that he should give himself one more chance – sign with TVB and restart his career in Hong Kong.
“I worked with Ho Lai Chuen (何麗全) when I was still doing music, and she pulled the strings for me to meet with Ms. Lok [Virginia Lok 樂易玲]. I only liked singing and never thought about becoming an actor. I once thought Aqua Heroes would be my very first and very last drama.”
Through their perseverance and hard work, Ruco and Edwin have managed to climb to the top of the ladder. They have grown from rejected artists who lacked confidence to leading stars who made sure that others could call out their names. After years of struggle and finally overcoming them, Ruco and Edwin are prepared for their next journey.
Source: Oriental Daily
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Omg…. Ruco, you look soooo delicious!!!!! <3
i admire their perseverance. Go Ruco go, will always support you <3
Who was Ruco in Instinct?
Yes I do agree, he is looking delicious in Brother’s Keeper, especially in that head of security suit.
Ruco briefly appeared as the young friend of Ekin Cheng’s character Pao Man-lung…but his role was a (kelefe.
I support both Ruco and Edwin. Edwin’s acting in BK is really impressive and persuaded.
ruco is this years best actor out of tvb artist no match for ruco maybe the closest is edwin
ruco and edwin both are hot guys with attractiveness… all the girls will drool and hynoptize by this 2 guys somehow
support both hard working brothers, never give up!!
they both act very good…I am not their fans…but like their acting a lot…work hard…glad to see some good actor in TVB drama!!!
they both sing pretty good…hope TVB can really promote them well
Edwin is better looking
edwin is ordinary good looking, ruco got more charisma and good looking too.
great acting both ruco and edwin,linda surprisingly also do a good job, i like how the storyline have developed so far,and waiting for ruco’s tragic character twist.this could be tvb’s best serie this year.
Ruco did an awesome job in BK. I’ve always wanted to see him act as a cop and he didnt disappoint me as Sam Sir. Just wish his character wouldnt end up losing everything and it’s especially hard to stomach knowing that his bad half brother, Kim Sir, would get the better of him in the end. Now when will we see ROE? i bet he’s gonna be really good as the under cover cop. Is it really never going to see daylight? Sigh TVB!!
I first notice Ruco in ‘The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung 2001’. He played a shy prince who was not very good at expressing himself and need Chor Lau Heung to teach him how to impress a girl (Joey Meng).
I’ve like him ever since. I wonder why he didn’t get bigger roles when he was still in TVB earlier in his career. He immediately caught my attention in CLH when given a bigger role (bigger than walk on kelefe role). This shows he has audience fate.
wow, you’ve been a ruco fan for so long, lucky you. We don’t get ATV programs here.
I first noticed him in My Date with a Vampire 3 and started to reconsider my negative outlooks on ATV. TVB definitely wrapped him in a nicer package than ATV but even when he was at ATV, he had the audience infinity that many artist lack today.
Both r awesome but Edwin rulez u know he is more expressive I suppose!
I have always like Edwin.He sings well. As for Ruco, I have heard about him, but I have never seen any of his acting before,will look forward to see ‘brother’s keeper’ ‘jia yio Edwin & Ruco’
Ruco looks GREAT above !!!:)
Wish both of them all the best !
Ruco looks great in BK. Love his Sam Sir role <3