Kevin Cheng: “I May Not Marry the Woman I Love the Most!”
In the entertainment industry for 20 years, Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎) was a singer turned actor who found great success in the television industry. Opening his own production studio this year, Kevin hopes to have greater control over his career. He wishes to cut down on the number of projects he appears in and only film for scripts that interest him.
With his company in its early stages, Kevin is still adapting to his role as a producer. Learning about project planning and production work firsthand, Kevin said, “As an actor, I used to nitpick on the scripts a lot. Now that I’m a producer, I realize it is not easy to come up with a story that flows smoothly and logically and pleases everyone.” Kevin realizes that it is necessary to compromise towards a common goal when working together with his staff.
Black Comedy as Debut
Speaking of his first production, Kevin glowed with pride. Though Kevin chose to keep the details shuttered, he divulged that it will be a light-hearted comedy. Kevin stressed that it will not be a slapstick, but a witty black comedy instead. Kevin admitted that his debut production will mirror his own personality. Kevin said, “I’m actually a very humorous person! I don’t really like to film series that are tragic and filled with crying scenes, but I always get those!” And that may be the reason why playing the witty L.A. Law in Ghetto Justice <怒火街頭> came so naturally to Kevin.
Perhaps his serious image led casting directors to misunderstand his real personality, but Kevin never sought to change that view. Instead, he treated it as a challenge. It was with this mentality that Kevin took up the titular role in TV drama, Ip Man <葉問>. Kevin joked, “The most common question I get is how am I different from Donnie Yen’s (甄子丹) Ip Man? The answer is a no-brainer! I am the Ip Man who cannot fight!” In a more serious tone, Kevin added, “That role was a big challenge for me. [With no fighting skills], I can only use my acting to convince myself and the viewers that I’m Ip Man.”
Nevertheless, Kevin has come a long way and is glad that with his stable financial situation, he can be selective with his filming choices, allowing him to film for free should he come across an intensely interesting project.
Understanding through Maturity
Kevin said of his philosophy in life, “In this industry, we are living under a huge magnifying glass. Our moves are constantly monitored and critiqued. There will always be people who are unhappy with us. If that is the case, we must as well be ourselves. At least, we are comfortable and happy.” Wise words but this notion only came after years of experience. Kevin revealed that he was never so objective in the initial years of his career, in which he felt despair for up to 3 days after an unpleasant incident before he forced himself to stand back up.
Despite his busy work schedule, the thought of family life is never far from Kevin’s mind. Forty-three-year-old Kevin hopes to find a partner with whom he can spend the rest of his life. “There are ups and downs in everyone’s life; I wish my partner would be able to support me through my downs. Likewise, I hope to do the same for her.” Ranking compatibility as number one on his list, Kevin revealed he has yet to find his ideal wife.
Kevin reflected, “I have thought deeply of my past relationships. It is not a matter of who is right or wrong; it’s all a matter of compatibility and timing. Eventually, the woman I marry may not be the one I love the most. When she appears, maybe I’m not ready yet. But she could not wait. After she got married, I still could not let go inside my heart. Hmm…it’s a matter of time. Yes, it’s unromantic to say this, but it’s the truth.”
Source: Cosmo Bride April 2013 via kuangaitvb.com
This article is written by Karen for JayneStars.com.
My impression is the Kevin had loved Linda Wong the most. Among his romances, Kevin had dated Linda the longest and seemed to have suffered the most heartbreak due to her father’s protests.
It may have been the ending of his relationship with Linda that pushed him to have a tougher skin and be less afraid of failure. He has come a long way as a more confident man, versus his early career days.
As for not marrying the person you may love the most, marriage is a practical union. So Kevin’s insight is spot on.
I agreed Jayne, I know 2 other couple who end up marrying to the person they did not love the most; my sister is one of them. I’m also dating someone who have I love but he is not the person I love the most. It’s funny Kevin feel the same way, some time I’m not sure men also feel the same way.
Like I have said, it takes much more than love to end up together and stay together. In a lot of cases, you usually don’t marry the one you love the most, but I think as long as you both love each other, are compatible, can live together,etc… then that is much more important than just marrying the one you love most. Sometimes you can love each other the most but cannot have a happy life together.
Thanks for the insight, Jayne. Not a TVB these days, and not a Kevin Cheng fan so I don’t know much about him. I never knew that Kevin Cheng was in a long term relationship with Linda Chung and her father detested or rather, looked down on Kevin. Poor guy. It kinda reminds me a bit of Jerry Yan and Lin Chi Ling. Both men can’t seem to move on with their lives despite breaking up with their girlfriends long ago. In Jerry and LCH’s case, it’s rather annoying to see them both hem and haw and dance around the question of “are they back together again or not?” but at least Kevin Cheng is more decisive and has put this relationship fully behind him now.
Typo – not a TVB *fan*
It is Linda Wong (Wong Yu’s oldest daughter), not the current TVB actress, Linda Chung. Linda Wong was a singer and had retired already.
Oops, thanks for the correction sandcherry. I knew which Linda it was, the tall daughter of Wong Yu. Don’t know why I typed Linda Chung.
Jayne,
You really said what I wanted to say and I think Kevin loved Linda the most and she also loved him too. However, I am not sure if she loved him the most or not,but due to her father’s protests they just could not last.I heard that Linda cried a lot when she broke up with Kevin.
We all wish to marry the one that we love the most, but sadly in many cases that is just not how it is. You can love a person but not end up with them. But with marriage, it takes much more than just love even though love should be one of the most important factors. I don’t feel marriage is always a practical union but is in many cases. I once had a friend that never dated and just married a guy that she barely knew, but had good feelings towards. She called me up to say that she was going to get engaged but not once did she mention “love”. She just said that he was a good person and that she is older now.Basically she only married him because she had no other choice and her biological clock was ticking.
Also, just because you love someone does not mean that you can live with them.
HeTieShou,
Sometimes people may resign to the more practical sides of a marriage. As we age, there are more responsibilities and financial realities settle in.
My assessment is that Kevin was unable to provide what Linda needed at the time and there was no guarantee he can do so in a specified time. So Kevin and Linda decided to break up because they didn’t see a future together, not that didn’t love each other.
Jayne,
I know that and it is sad when you marry for convenience only or other reasons with no love. But sometimes you don’t have a choice in life I guess.
I had a feeling that besides Linda’s dad not approving, the financial means was what drove them apart which I find a bit sad because these days, it is not only the guy that needs to do the providing. If a women can contribute and at times be the main breadwinner, it would not be that bad in some cases. But sadly, many men still have that traditional macho ego thinking they must be the sole provider or else they are being accused of eating soft rice. When will that mentality ever end???
I know that they loved each other, but sadly I think the timing just was not right… They have yuan but no fen…
Again a very candid interview. I agree with him even if Ip Man puts me to sleep.
Funn,
Is it the production’s fault? I haven’t watched an episode yet, although it’s currently aired on my cable network. Must do it this week. 🙂
Production is pretty but somehow I am just tired of Ip Man stories. And the story is boring and I tried, I really tried, but first 3 episodes put me off so I stopped. And the girl isn’t even pretty. I find not one individual interesting.
Funn,
Actually I’m more drawn to mainland modern dramas, as the stories are easier to follow in spurts rather than ancient dramas.
I was watching Godrey Gao’s “Hello Gorgeous” earlier and the series is entertaining enough. Had a good dose of eye candy, romance, and plotting business tricks to be interesting in each episode. I really like the location shoots and film-quality footage, not to mention the sappy lines.
When I watch TVB dramas these days, they’re lacking the element of surprise, which makes it difficult to completely focus.
Funn, I didnt feel that Kevin can carry the ip man series. I also stopped in the first few episodes, it was quite boring, but maybe I didn’t get to the good part
i want to ask u guys a question. do u guys agree that Charmaine and Linda is the woman whom kevin likes the most?
My impression is that Kevin loved Linda Wong the most, as he was with her for 8 (?) years and the relationship took place when Kevin was younger and more impressionable.
but why kevin said that the woman I marry may not be the one I love the most
if they both dont love each other then what is the point
Charvin,
Kevin was struggling with his career in Taiwan (his lowest point) when his relationship ended with Linda Wong. She faced pressure from her disapproving father, who never liked Kevin and thought he would never make a name for himself.
Kevin learned love alone is not enough. Stable finances are necessary to make the practical side of a long-term relationship work, to provide a sense of security for his prospective partner and possibly have positive image of himself before he can love again.
She is also happily married, so Kevin has put behind this relationship. But I still think that he had loved Linda the most among his girlfriends.
Who did Linda marry? Is her father (hopefully) kicking himself now?
TVBFanatic,
Linda married a businessman. Her father still dislikes Kevin. Last year, Mr. Wong was quoted as saying, ““When I first saw Kevin Cheng, I knew he had no future!”
http://www.jaynestars.com/news/kevin-cheng-heavily-criticized-by-linda-wongs-father-scolding-war-erupts/
At what age did Linda marry that businessman?
Actually, he hinted is Linda Wong
The Cantonese article included a line that said
The person you marry, may not be the one you loved most
When she appeared, perhaps I wasn’t ready, but in the end, she couldn’t wait.
after she was married, I still can’t let go in my heart.
I’m confused as to why such a significant line was removed.
Nicole,
It’s our oversight, but the quote has been modified. You’re right, Kevin almost always speaks about his past love with Linda Wong in interviews and rarely about Niki Chow.
Jayne,
Do you think he is still missing her now? Or … I think this is the first time he was so upfront about it.
Nicole,
I think Kevin has put aside love prospects for now to focus on his career development. He’s become more ambitious once tasting the vastness of the mainland market and realizing he possibly has the next 5 years to make the most of it before getting closer to 50. The shelf life of artists still hits a ceiling and mainland is churning idols at breakneck speed.
His dreams are on his career now and family is almost a side note. Once his company is more firmly established, he may look for love. Since Kevin’s energy is positively channeled, I don’t think he misses Linda as much as he first broke up with her.
I’m not really surprised that he spoke so candidly about Linda. Actually this is a sign that he has completely let go of the past with Linda, because acknowledgement that the time was not right and cannot be undone.
I think it’s also a sign that he stopped blaming himself; Kevin always came across as being very guilty in what happened with Linda. That although they loved each other, he was not successful enough to earn her father’s respect and provide for their future.
They had lived together while Kevin was in Taiwan. Although they were not married, they had a taste of married life. They did the best under the circumstances for each other.
Jayne,
That seems to be true, although it would be more romantic the other way. Hehe
Btw, Jayne, i didn’t know who they were back then, just heard that Kevin dated Linda and had a bittersweet romance when I started being a fan. But recently, when the news of their relationship broke, there was more details about it.
I read some info about them then, but I’m not sure if they are 100% rumours or some parts are known to be true. Do you remember?
– Kevin and Linda living in Taiwan together while she was promoting her album and he was filming tv series?
– her father called the police to arrest her stepmother for adultery, although they were estranged. Linda had a great relationship with her stepmother.
– then the news broke, and she had to go back to hong kong to clarify the matter.
– and her father started a dispute with Jenny tsang leading to them being at court, and Linda’s career was ruined.
– she was forced to matchmake with her husband in 2000, and married him in 2001.
– only after that, was Kevin allowed to return to HK.
(seems that she had something to do with that, or her father won’t let Kevin return, with the triad contacts he had.. that might explain Kevin’s immense guilt and baggage.)
I guess, year after year, even 10 years after her marriage, he felt deep down, he wasnt getting any where despite her sacrifice, Maybe not just guilt, maybe even shame.
Despite frequent complaints over the lack of realism in taiwan idol dramas, I guess obstacles faced by the leads aren’t that far off from the truth. Lol
Linda’s dad is horrible.
Nicole,
Aside from the first point, in which they were living together, I can’t validate the rest of the items, as they happened prior to my close following of artist news through online media.
I only knew more about Kevin after he filmed for TVB. He mentioned his exile in Taiwan and breakup with Linda in past interviews and it was through his interviews that I pieced together an impression of their bittersweet romance, due to lack of money and family disapproval.
Linda was forced by her father to meet her husband in a match? Perhaps he had initially pressured her, but from superficial analysis, Linda’s current business husband may have the traits that Kevin didn’t have. So is the husband really her father’s choice, or she finally listened to him, thinking she would find greater happiness? Supplement second relationship with what cannot be found in the first relationship?
Linda leads a leisurely life now. She plays golf (may be an instructor, not sure) and even released a book on etiquette for young women. She seems happy and content with her laid back life. Perhaps she is not too different from most women who wish to find a sense of security in her marriage partner.
Based on Kevin’s interviews, he was still struggling to find himself while in Taiwan. He had no idea what will become of his future. He wasn’t too proactive, and it sounded like he was depressed.
For Linda, it was similar to a woman dating an unemployed boyfriend whose future job was very uncertain, and he had no vision for his own future, let alone a joint future together. I believe this finally pushed the couple to break up.
I definitely agree with you about her love for her husband. But it will be hard to duplicate the heady love of reckless abandonment (a little presumptive, but he did say she was his greatest love, and she did stay with him despite his lack of career and her father’s disapproval.) We tend to act with more caution the 2nd time round.
Linda admitted her father disapproved and he won’t attend her wedding even if she gets married to kevin, but refused to talk about whether Kevin and her were separated by her father. (recent interview)
“Perhaps she is not too different from most women who wish to find a sense of security in her marriage partner.”
Definitely, and the article about Leslie and Teresa, although some commenters felt that if she married Leslie, he wont suicide, or she would fall for him eventually, I think she just wished for security and stability, over charm and looks (although it didn’t work out a few times).
I heard a long time ago that Linda chose her current husband herself and was worried about her father disapproving. But once she asked him and had his approval, she was very happy that she found someone that she loved and had her father’s support and blessings. She clearly moved on and found happiness so I hope that Kevin does soon as well.
I feel he loved Linda the most and I think he still never truly forgot her even though she is now married. They are still friends though.I heard they dated for 8 years.
pfftt definitely NOT Charmaine. they only dated for less than 2 years. his image suffered as a result during those years with Charmaine.
It’s true to certain extent. You won’t marry the person you love most. But after married normally love will change. Especially If he is happily married then He will love his wife more and more as years goes by. Eventually the person he love most is his wife.
Ppl say you may not married the one you love most. It’s very truth. I guess there’s time you gave ur all to this person and it didn’t work out. And for the next, ur more cautious and learned to not give ur all.
Good luck to Kevin. You should find state girl
I don’t think he’ll ever get married.
ikr it’s all about fate
Its about the choices we make in life, if we are not with the person we like most, then obviously you were not that compatible to begin with. Linda was willing to be with him even when he had nothing but he didn’t want to marry her, even though they moved in together, she went with him so her dad couldn’t of stopped anything, cause Linda followed Kevin anyway yet he broke up with her, that is why he is lamenting. He could of had happiness after with Niki Chow, but dumped her for Charmaine. Then Charmaine had her problems too and it didn’t work out. Kevin seems to make wishy washy choices, there are many ppl in this world you can have love with, he reminisce because he just wants what he doesnt have. Learn to cherish what you have and you would of had what you wanted to begin with. Life lesson.
This is great news for his future wife. “Babe, I want to make it clear…I married you but you are the not the woman I love most” lol…that’s really romantic.
Kind of sad for him , I think he will find his ideal girl but just take him a little longer.
you never know who are the person you’d love the most untill you meet your true love.
That’s so true!!!!
How would he know he loved Linda the most? Just because he was with her for 8 years? If he had dated Niki for 8 years, he might have ended up loving her the most too. Love takes time.
What a beautiful man
What a debatable and interesting topic. Note that it’s in the present tense, ” I may not marry the woman I LOVE….”, which obviously means that he still loves her, whoever she is.So sad! But I suppose life’s lik that and Kevin accepts it as he’s such a rational and practical man, a bit too practical for my liking! Anyway, I do admire the way he has conducted his life and sincere hope he finds someone really special and who will fill his life with happiness.
It was paraphrased a little from the chinese version.
I’m not sure because grammar is different in Chinese.
你结婚的那个人，可能不是你最爱的。她呈现的时候，我可能还没有筹备好，但是她等不了了。而后她结婚了，但是我心里面还放不下。
Anyone who likes Kevin is highly recommended to read the article in Chinese, there’s tons more details. Karen translated a selection of his interview, mostly what was spoken, but the reporter’s description of him is very in-depth.
Thanks for the Chinese exerpt Nicole. Yea, it does sound better in Chinese and of course things are always lost in translation.
Hi Nicole, would you have the link to the original chinese article? The source provided on this webpage links to a forum, which then links to another forum that can only be accessed if you are a member. Thanks!
@buster
Hmm, I cant find any versions online, but I uploaded the JPG files so you can view them.
http://goo.gl/grpvB
Thanks very much Nicole, much appreciated.
Agreed with you
“Note that it’s in the present tense”.
P.Tan, I know that when fans worship their idol, they tend to read whatever they like/want to read. Obviously nobody would know whether it was in present tense or past tense because he was speaking in cantonese/mandarin, which is hard to know because tenses are not emphasized here. The person that translated this into english used present tense because he/she did not know either whether he meant the present or the past,but he/she chose present tense because it means ‘in general’. If past tense was used, then it would be ‘more specific’.
If Kevin still has these feelings for someone he cannot ever have it will be quite impossible to find the woman he would like to marry. On her part if he did get married at all his poor wife would be wondering all the time whether he really loved her.
I hope Kevin will let go off the bitter past and unhappy memories and start to love and appreciate the women he may be with now. It will be unfair for your future gf /wife if you still has these feeling.
Move on and you will realize GOD protected you and blessed you all this years.
I feel the reason why people keep on thinking he or she marries the one whom he or she does not love the most is because the previous relationship was broken unwillingly. Hence the untouched grape will always be misunderstood as the sweetest which might not be true.
Why looks behind when you are walking
I wonder if Linda resents her dad. I would if I were her.
I once read about how Linda said that she would NOT pick a guy that had a character like her dad. I can tell that she is not fond of his character, however, it is her father afterall and she has to love him regardless…. Plus, she only has one parent left after her mom passed away.
Is he implying that whoever he marries in the future, she will be second best? I used to hope that he is secretly dating Charmaine, now definitely not! She deserves better. Not a nice comment for his future partner.
Sadly that is how it is in a lot of cases, but of course they would not vocally say it outloud or else it will hurt their future wife/husband. I actually feel a bit bad for his future wife,however, maybe he is only saying that now since he still has not found her yet. But I think that once he does, he will learn and know that the one he ends up with is the one that he loves the most.
I remember Dicky Cheung saying how much he loved Jessica and even loved her more than his current wife. But with time, he finally admitted that his love for Zhang Qian has grown and had gone far beyond the love that he once had for Jessica. I hope it will be that way for Kevin. HE still laments over his past relationship because he has still not found his new love yet. I think once he does, his perspectives will change.
I do like Kevin but I certainly agree with you, den’l, that it was not “a nice comment for his future partner.”
I Like Kevin and wish him the best for his future 🙂
He needs to move on! If he doesn’t move on he will not find his loved one. It might be best in both their terms that they break up anyways. What’s not meant to b is not meant to b. there’s no need to Hold on. Also don’t compare your first girlfriend with all the other ones that comeinto your life later. Good luck to this guy! If he won’t put it behind him he will not move forward. His wife will be his favorite woman of all time. It just takes time n wish him best of luck. Note I’m not his fan!!! Not interested in him just wish him and anyone out there to find true happiness in their relationships!!! Communication is very important. I’m still dating my first one and only boyfriend of eight years and some spare change. His mother causes a lot of trouble and drama into our relationship as well and I don’t even know if it will last. It’s so difficult to have such parent that gets in your love life. I totally understand what Kevin went through in his relationship with Linda. I also lived with my bf but not sure where the relationship will take us. The mom complains about everything and lead her other son’s girlfriend of nine years to seperate with him and married another man now.
What’s funny is that the mom hurried to find him another girlfriend from New York City! They only met a few months and she moved in and sleep on the same bed with her. The son said he will not marry his current girlfriend. What’s worse is the mother yells at my mom for no reason bragging about how great her daughter is and that I’m uglier than her son. I am not uglier than her bald head son!!! I’m also a masters graduate while her son is a high school drop out. So my bf’s mother is so similar to Linda Wongs father!
It sad to see that one does not end up with the one that they love the most in life. Follow your heart an don’t settle to marry someone that you don’t believe can fit deeply in your heart.