“The King Boxer” Praying Ceremony
The praying ceremony for new TVB series, The King Boxer <拳王> was held yesterday. Kevin Cheng Ka Wing, Natalie Tong Sze Wing, Nancy Wu Ting Yan, and Kenny Wong Tak Bun attended.
In May, Kevin will be filming a fighting scene with Kenny Wong. Kevin noted that Kenny had a physical advantage but boxing also involved the proper technique. While attending fifth grade in Great Britain, Kevin was in a fight with another student, who made racist remarks. Since Kevin was short in stature, he lost the fight easily. Kevin had not been embroiled in any other fights since the incident.
Natalie Tong was injured while filming Flying Tigers <飛虎> earlier. Reporters teased Natalie and said that she may be able to take a break from fighting scenes.
Playing a mute boxer in The King Boxer, Nancy Wu already trained to build muscle and was not afraid of possessing overly muscular thighs.
Source: On.cc
Jayne: Looking forward to seeing Kevin Cheng topless again! Natalie Tong looks a little overdressed at the praying ceremony.
Btw, when Kevin and Selena Li filmed a passionate kissing scene earlier, there were romantic rumors. I do see Selena as Kevin’s type of woman and see them as a possible couple. Kevin and model, Jenny’s romance was a short-lived one.
i always curious why there a ceremony for a series before being aired? Why?
Darren, since there are a lot of stunts, wire work, action scenes, and other taboo elements such as laying in coffins, death scenes, etc. required in filming, many studios follow the custom of praying to the Gods to ensure good luck, smooth progress, and no injuries.
Aside from TVB, there are praying ceremonies for films and even prior to concert performances to ensure good luck. Hong Kong people are very superstitious, that’s why there are so many fortune tellers who make a very good living there!
@HeTieShou, what is the story about the haunted TVB studios?
@Jayne,
I have heard many of them so I can’t really pinpoint just one. I just heard that the studios are haunted by some spirits of past artists that have passed away. Some also said that spirits like to be in crowded places like the TVB studio since there are many people around all the time. One story that I remember was an actress(I forgot who)who was afraid to go to a particular bathroom alone since it was rumoured to be haunted. Therefore, she always had someone accompany her. But one time she had to go so badly that he went by herself. There was no toilet paper in her stall, so “someone” handed her some from the other stall.. However, after she came out her stall, she discovered that there was not anyone in that other stall at all… I think there was also a sign that it said to not use that stall because it is haunted… Something like that… There are other stories too but I don’t remember. That is why I heard that they always had to have praying ceremonies in order calm the spirits so that they will not bother them when they are filming…
@HeTieShou, thanks for sharing the interesting ghost story. I think in feng shui theory, TVB studio would be considered a location where there is “yum hei” (bad air) because there are hundreds of people going in and out on a daily basis, thus easy to attract wandering spirits. In addition, TVB studio is located near a landfill, further adding to bad feng shui.
@Scarlee, maybe they have to assign auspicious date for the praying ceremony? It’s also treated as a promotional tactic for the series, since the all the major cast are gathered for the praying ceremony. Maybe the taboo scenes, such as death and high risk scenes are usually not filmed until after praying ceremony?
The series crew and artistes will normally pray to 4 Directions (you see them turning and bowing to North, East, South, West) for smooth and accident free filming.
As for filming death scenes, it’s tradition for the crew/director/producer to give the actor/actress a red money packet for good luck and ward off evil spirits. For the less superstitious artistes, they are quite happy with the extra pocket money lol..
but that red pocket is usually just $1 =P
@Jayne,
You are welcome and thanks for your info. I didn’t know that the TVB studio was at an area with bad fengshui. I also didn’t know that they are located near a landfill. That is strange. Are you referring to the current TVB studio or the old one?? They moved to the new one in 2003. I heard that they had some ghost stories back at the old studio as well… I thought that spirits would find areas where there were not many people, but I guess not…
What I don’t understand is why they do this ceremony AFTER they started filming. It’s understandable if they do it before the cameras roll, but it’s been at least a month since filming commenced right? Why would they do it in the middle of filming?
I’ve always wondered the same. I always knew they had a ceremony, but only in recent years did I realize that it was done in the middle of filming. Unless all the scenes that were filmed before the ceremony was in the studio and the ones filmed after the ceremony are are dangerous with stunts and everything else.
1. They have to pick an auspicious date according to the Lunar Calendar
2. They also need to ensure the main cast attend the ceremony.
and isn’t it before the studio filming? seems like they only filmed outdoors before, but of course if they filmed indoors, probably wouldn’t know
It’s a praying ceremony…to make sure filming will go smoothly
Yea and isn’t there also one done before and during filming too?? I heard that it was because TVB studios is haunted so they have do that. If they don’t then the spirits will bother them..
I think Jessica Shuan was talking about the haunted bathroom too but I don’t quite remember the details.
Jayne, I agree that Selena seems like Kevin’s type, someone very girly that you want to protect, yet at the same time, very independent. I use to not think much of Selena, but I think she has grown to be more beautiful over the years.
@jayzemine, since Selena opened her make-up school, she’s been looking prettier! I find that she looks better in photos than onscreen. Natalie Tong however looks better onscreen (thanks to beautiful marble eyes and translucent skin) than in photos. Natalie looks rather gawky in photos…
Both Natalie and Selena has the same amount of aura, looks and screen presence for me.
However I prefer Selena’s more low-key acting. Natalie dramatize her performance too much for my liking 😛
Selena’s such an expert in putting on makeup, and really knows how to enhance her features.
But somehow I think she lacks true maturity to be with someone like Kevin; she is very ladylike and seems like a nice person, but she doesn’t come across as someone who has bloomed enough into a mature woman yet to have a serious relationship with someone of Kevin’s generation.
@impmuse, Great way of putting it too. I feel the same way about Selena, but I quite like her optimism and innocence. She’s a very sweet girl, but at the same time also quite ambitious with a business mind. I agree that Charmaine would probably suit Kevin more, but somehow I feel that she’s “more” than him, achieved greater heights in her career, more optimistic and knows how to handle everything better than Kevin can. But it’s also that Charmaine has went through more in the entertainment circle than Selena. She’s older and entered the entertainment industry 6 years before her. Personally, I like and admire Charmaine and in terms of looks, I think Kevin looks better with Selena while in terms of maturity, he sides more with Charmaine.
Nancy looks the prettiest. This girl is seriously underrated.
I look forward to this series. This will be a test to see how Selena and Nancy, as well as Natalie, whom I all think are underrated and underpromoted compared to other fadans, will lead the series. I’m glad that we have a series that’s not Tavia, Linda, Fala, Kate, over and over again.
Selena looks prettier everyday. I understand why she got Miss Photogenic when she participated in Miss Hong Kong. She is indeed very photogenic and has a very sweet smile. I wouldn’t be surprised if she and Kevin did indeed have some romantic sparks! Wasn’t there news too that Kenneth Ma was interested in her too? I guess nothing ever came of it?
I don’t find selena pretty. Something wrong with her nose and mouth…
How to say? I find her feminine. Maybe not pretty as in traditional sense but feminine.
I also don’t find Selena pretty. I also think she sort of has an manly aura to her.. But that’s just me…
when she’s not smiling in certain angles she looks like she’s trying to kiss her nose.
i don’t think she’s ugly though
I think Catherine really looks good in her age.
She does! I actually quite like Catherine Chau and think she’s gotten prettier with age. However I still don’t think she’s that flexible with characters.
Same here! I agree that she looks better with age and I think it was probably baby fat that she use to have. She seemed so petite in Show Me the Happy and was rather cute in those straight bangs. She probably lost weight too? I don’t know, but she just looks different to me nowadays.
I don’t think TVB has given her enough roles to actually showcase her acting so it’s probably the same in most of her series. Her characters are usually very minor. However, I did enjoy seeing her in Show Me the Happy; Derek and Catherine was the most entertaining couple for me, lol.
Fa sister might be a breakthrough to her?
@Chriselle: I thought she was rather cute in Show me the Happy too. She also had a really nice bod when she dressed up in more sexy clothes towards the end of the series.
Her most memorable role for me, although minor, was in The Dance of Passion (火舞黃沙) where she had a cleft lip.
I haven’t heard of this series before. Sounds interesting. Kevin will suit the part well.
Natalie looks gorgeous in the above pics. Maybe she’s “overdressed” because she has another function to attend on the day. She does stand out amongst the other actresses though 🙂
Selena is a pretty girl but not very versatile in my opinion. She does play many different characters but she seems to portrays them all the same.
I look forward to TVB promoting Nancy and Natalie more in their upcoming series.
Noooooooooooo.. Selena is with Kenneth, Kevin is with Charmaine!!
Funn,
So we wish! Although I personally feel that Kenneth was interested in Selena, I don’t think she accepted his pursuit! Kevin may be more her type!
Charmaine is rumored with rich man in China? Although the rich man seems to be mysterious figure and the press has no photos and unable to name who the man is?
Doesn’t Kenneth love Nancy? lol lol. And Kenneth with Tavia?
Kevin with Liu Shi Shi :P.
Why am I not shocked if Charmaine is with a rich man?? And awhile ago, some were going on and on about how independent she was and that she only cared about love and not money…. Only time will tell..
It’s the trend now for HK girls to hook up with men from China. Charmaine’s just clever to get one that’s rich. IF the rumour is true…
Everyone has a right to love, more so Charmaine is not young anymore but somehow I don’t believe that rumour.
Kenneth WAS WITH Nancy but they broke up. So I thought he was keen on Selena who was keen on him as well. In fact all the girls seemed to be teased by the media about being keen on Kenneth since he is rather popular with the girls.
Selena and Kevin? Wouldn’t that make them a boring couple? I wouldn’t be surprised if Selena and Kenneth are dating and I hope they’re. Cute couple. But even if they’re not or may have been, plenty of young available pretty girls in TVB for them to go around.
Selena is rather popular with the guys too.
Fox,
IMO, I think TVB tried to market Kenneth and Nancy Wu as a couple to ask for higher fees at promotional events. Their rumors seemed to have died down recently.
Despite all rumors and Kenneth being interested in female colleagues, he comes across as being single. I do hope he finds a woman soon; I think he needs a low maintenance woman who is not too materialistic.
Well well, you can’t ensure he dun have gf(s) until it’s revealed.
After a lot of scandals, I believe all the rumour are truth, haha, especially love rumour.
I really agree with you Fox. I am starting to believe rumours unless they are just sooo ridiculous and just cannot be true. It seems that the reoccurring rumours usually end up being true. The truth will come out eventually…
I think Kenneth and Nancy are no more. I believe that. He may be dating someone. Anyway how to find a low maintenance woman IN the industry? The amount of fake eyelashes used each year will probably bankrupt him. If he is serious, look beyond the industry.
I think if Kenneth wants to find a low maintenence girl, he has to look outside the circle. I don’t think that it is possible to find a low maintenence girl in the circle. Also, since he lives a simple life, he needs to find a girl that is not too materialistic or else he would go bankrupt. I think just the amount of make up that an actress uses is already a lot of money each year…
@ Funn
Shirley Yeung pops up in my mind when you said low-maintenance girl. News reports always show that she’s very frugal. Too bad she’s taken.
Another girl I can think of is Linda Chung. They can take bus together to work. 😀
Despite my love for Nancy and Selena, I’m not really looking forward to this series mainly because the theme of boxing doesn’t appeal to me. However, it is a good chance for Nancy, Selena, and Natalie to shine since there aren’t any other fadans here. But I suppose it will be a male-dominated series, no?
Although Selena’s acting has been good and consistent throughout the years, there is something lacking. Maybe because there is a similar element in all her characters that makes them not memorable. While I like seeing her onscreen, she doesn’t really leave a great impression on me.
Chriselle, my personal opinion is Selena’s acting is too lightweight, meaning she gives me an impression she can’t do drama, she is just too fluffy. Natalie to me is too dramatic. Nancy is typecast and when she is not, she does show potential.
I think Nancy will definitely shine through in this series though since she has always been shown as the athletic type in many tvb series. Not to mention she’s trained in kickboxing before this series.
Not fond of boxing, but love the cast ;P
Selena, Nancy, Natalie, Kevin.
AFOS modern version. 😀
How can this be AFOS any ver without Kenneth? The audition process like this is it; guys, take off shirt. Ok, Kevin got body, ok! Kenny, got body, ok. Kenneth.. sorry, hit the gym first!
Oh yay. Kevin Cheng! This I’m dying to see…
Nancy look pretty in above!
Kevin and Charmaine. I think, had always thought and will always think that they are the best paired couple! Don’t you think they were so good together in Forensic Heroes 2? Well, I have no complaints about the other ladies. In fact though at first I did not think much of Selena, she was really quite good in the above mentioned series. I found her acting mature and she herself pretty, poised and sophisticated. So, I expect equal or even better performance from her in the Boxing King.