Sammul Chan Receives First Award in Ten Years
Over the last ten years, Sammul Chan Kin Fung filmed numerous TVB series, but never received any awards. Artists who entered the entertainment circle at the same time received awards and recognition for their acting. No wonder Sammul had questioned whether he was less talented than others.
Due to his performance in mainland drama Schemes of a Beauty<美人心計>, Sammul received the highest number of votes for a male actor in the China region of the TV Festival in South Korea . Since entering the industry, this was the first award that Sammul received. Since the awards originated from overseas, he was especially happy. “Over the years, I have silently waited. Awards are a form of encouragement for an actor. I waited for many years without receiving any awards. In the past, I would have been upset. Now, I realize that the audience’s eyes are clear. People from different countries have watched my performances. I find it to be very rewarding!”
Each role presented new challenges. In his new series, The Comeback Clan <翻叮一族>, Sammul portrays a cellist. Playing the cello is not his expertise, but he had to perform before a large crowd. Fortunately, he played the piano and flute in the past, so he knew how to read music notes.”
“It is easy to lose oneself in the entertainment industry. If you invest a few years in the industry and there is little progress or breakthroughs, it is natural to want to give up. For a period of time, I felt very withdrawn. I did not want to talk to other people. I did not have any interest to even go outside, play video games, or watch DVDs.”
“One day, a friend introduced me to diving. The ocean is another world, where it is not necessary to communicate with other people. I enjoy the pleasures of nature; it is a shelter away from problems. I fell deeply in love with diving. I even secured a instructor’s diving license. My circle has widened significantly.”
Does Not Want to Disappoint Elderly Father
For people that are interested in working in the entertainment industry, Sammul emphasized the importance ofdetermination and clear vision of one’s goals. In the past, Sammul signed with three music companies, but never released even one album. Sammul asked himself whether he possessed poor singing skills or were there other reasons? Each person’s destiny was different. Instead of going to university, Sammul chose to become a DJ. Fortunately, he made some achievements in the entertainment industry and did not disappoint his elderly father.
Sammul’s father’s wish was for him to become a ‘Renaissance Man’ and obtain expertise in several areas. Sammul revealed that he admired Coco Lee Man. While pursuing her singing career, she went to medical school. After studying for ten years, she finally obtained her medical license. Within his lifetime, Sammul hoped to complete his father’s wish.
Jayne: I have noticed that Sammul Chan’s torso has become more muscular in recent years and that’s probably due to his diving hobby.
In this article, you can sense that Sammul has gotten more mature. He is an intelligent man who is able to realize that in order to stay in the entertainment industry for the long haul, he needs to first find inner peace and not get lost in the crowd. Taking care of one’s well-being is very important in a cut-throat industry, where “friends” could betray your worst secrets. The judgment of the paparazzi and audiences can also be quite hostile. Diving has become his solace.
Our recent discussion about Yammie Nam is still fresh in my mind. Depression is a common aliment among artists. I wish more artists possessed the wisdom to find inner happiness in a chaotic world.
Life in the circle and in the real world is very hard and I am glad that Sammuel has gained more experience and is more at peace with himself. At least in Sammuel’s case, he still has his family and doesn’t want to disappoint his father. Family is really important in many cases for your success in your career or life, but in Yammie’s case, she sadly does not have that anymore.
I thought that Coco Lee gave up on her studies since she was unable to keep up with her career and studies?? It is hard to keep both of them up. I heard that Aaron Yan of Fahrenheit chose to give up his studies and pursue his career because he was unable to balance both of them… I guess in the end, you have to pick one over the other.
Yes, Sammul has indeed learn a lot and grow a lot. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time. So, I’ve followed his progress, from making immature mistakes to learning to be more tactful and smarter.
He really has gone through a lot with disappointment after disappointment in his singing career. He still carries hope to one day able to release an album.
I find him a very individualistic person. He has his own mind and like to have some control of what he want to do. That’s one of the reason he end up not signing TVB management (besides the low pay and the politics in TVB). He wants to have some freedom to try many things. He trusted in current manager Ivy a lot, but, there was once rumour that his manager wanted to retire and he has actually created a poll in his website forum asking his fans which route he should go. Many advise him to signed TVB management (so, he can realise his dream of releasing an album earlier). But, I guess Ivy decided to delay retirement gua. He’s still a free agent now, only signed actor contract with TVB.
Maybe because of his upbringing as a pastor’s son. He is also give a lot back to society. He has been a constant blood dona tor since he’s 19 years also and also an ambassador for a lot of campaign for a better society like Road Safety Ambassador etc.
That’s why I like him a lot. As an actor and a person.
Sammul actually finished his form 7. His result was good enough for him to enter the Physics stream, but, at that time he felt that the chance to be DJ was not easy to come by, while he can study later. So, he chose to be DJ. It’s not easy to be DJ last time. He has to go through test. His friend who really wanted to be DJ was not accepted, but, he was.
I know he really want to earn an award, but, he understand that you gain some and lost some. By not signing management contract, he understand that he won’t get as much opportunity and promotion from TVB and award chances is also really less (I’m still annoyed that he didn’t even get a nomination for his crossdressing role in
Bride). But, he got his freedom and chance to work with different people and in different places. He also didn’t whine that TVB is unfair. He said it’s only fair that TVB promoted their own managed artist more and TVB actually treated him well and still gave him many opportunities despite not being a management artist.
Some people asked why he didn’t totally break off and focus on China. He said that he has a lot of friends in TVB and would like to come back to work with them on and off.I think it’s also a wise decision because you take care of both China and HK market. Plus his family is in HK.
Sammul comes across as quite principled and unafraid to speak his mind. The HK press portrayed him unfavorably in the past as an effeminate man whose level of sensitivity is compared to a woman’s, even alluding to his sexual orientation. In the past, I think he was the type of person who measured how much he put in versus received. But that seems to have mellowed through the years.
In many ways, I think of Leila Tong when I see Sammul. Both of them are tAlented and could have achieved greater fame had they signed with TVB or grasped better opportunities. But due to their solid skills, I think they will be around for a long time.
Jayne, who is Yammie?
Sammul is like Steven Ma. They are both great actors and singers. Too bad…..they are always under promoted or recognized. Time will tell and the viewers and fans will speak out. Congrats to Sammul for his recognition and first award for his acting abilities from his Mainland China tv series.
Lacey, here is Yammie Nam’s profile and data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yammie_Lam
Too bad TVB’s HK audience can only begin to like an actor/actress when they begin to play more stereotypical roles… and you don’t get those easy tailor-made ones unless you sign with TVB…
I couldn’t agree more Jayne. As I was reading the article, Leila does come to mind. In a way they are quite similar and I path them for their individualism. Althouth they may not have received many awards, but their reward could be seen throught their hard work and the acceptance from the general audience.
Sammul and Leila are also pretty good friends. When Leila has to prank call someone on radio, she chose Sammul. 😀
I really enjoyed Sammul in that one series with Gordon Lam and Kenix Kwok. I actually loved everyone’s performance there.
I miss the good old days ;(
Sammul and Leila are both my fav TVB actors and actresses( even though they haven’t actually signed with them)~ I respect their attitudes deeply 🙂
However much I like him, and love seeing him grow from sort of scholarly but feminine to rather masculine but still a tad vulnerable looking, and I do think he’s grown handsome and all, acting wise is still not there yet. Popularity awards maybe, but strictly on quality of work, no. Not yet.
By the way Coco Lee is a doctor now?! No wonder she has been very quiet lately. But frankly I never thought she was that famous that it was easy to walk away to complete her studies. But kudos to her.
I love his character in that series with Kate tsui and bosco wong and Shirley yeung. Forgot the name of that. I think its a Chinese idiom with thousand in it. He did a great villain role. He acted great in that series. Also I remembered him from that lawyers series with raymond lam, Bernice lui and myolie wu.
Like Jayne, when I think of Sammul, I think of Leila Tong. They both seem to be similar in personality, but I have to say that both are missing that leading lady/man charm, or charisma. Neither has what it takes to shoulder a series from a screen presence point of view, although they tend to excel in secondary characters. I am also with Funn in the opinion that Sammul isn’t that good of an actor. Seems like a decent guy, a mature guy, and intelligent, but those things don’t make you a good actor.
@Wth,
The series that you are referring to is the Price of Greed. THat was the first series that I saw of Sammul, but did not know that it was him until later. I think he did a great job. I personally think that Sammul is talented and is capable of playing the leading role. There is always room for improvement from even the professional and veteran actors/actresses, therefore, do you ever stop growing as an actor?? In fact I think that goes for many other jobs/professions, not just acting.Therefore, will you ever be satisfied with your quality of work???
@Funn, I thought that Coco quit her studies years ago to focus on her career?? I can be wrong.. It is really hard to balance both so you’ll eventually have to pick one over the other, especially if you are really popular.
don’t know whats wrong with this actor, I just don’t like his acting, he can’t act. Sam look gay or is he really gay or bi coz he looks and talks like a shrimp!?