[FEATURE] Ten Potential Breakout TVB Stars of 2013
Note: “Ten Potential Breakout TVB Stars of 2013” is an original feature at JayneStars.com, where the hottest rising stars this year are profiled.
It takes a lot of talent, hard work, and luck in order to succeed as an actor. For many TVB artists, a successful acting career also requires skill and perseverance. Faring well in the entertainment industry is never an easy feat, but if given the right opportunity, one may as well end up being the next overnight sensation.
Every year, there is at least one unexpected TVB artist who would make it to the spotlight. In 2009, it was Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) in Rosy Business <巾幗梟雄>. In 2011, it was Ruco Chan (陳展鵬) in The Other Truth <真相>. In 2012, it was Koo Ming Wah (古明華) in Divas in Distress <巴不得媽媽…>.
This year should not be different. The following ten TVB actors and actresses are JayneStars.com’s picks for potential rising stars to watch this year.
10. Tracy Chu (朱千雪)
Best Known For: Second runner-up at the 2012 Miss Hong Kong Pageant
Potential Breakout: The Hippocratic Crush 2 <On Call 36小時II>
The viewer-voted Miss Hong Kong Pageant of 2012 ended in a disappointing moment forHong Kong netizens when their favorite, Tracy Chu, failed to win the crown. Perhaps Tracy’s popularity with the Hong Kong online community has made TVB realize that the company could potentially cultivate the 24-year-old into a future fadan. Tracy will be featured heavily in TVB drama, The Hippocratic Crush 2 <On call 36小時II>, in which she will be pairing up with the medical drama’s leading man, Lawrence Ng (吳啟華)! Whether Tracy will be the next big hit or the next big failure, it will all depend on this performance.
9. Matt Yeung (揚明)
Best Known For: 2003’s The ‘W’ Files <衛斯理>
Potential Breakout: Slow Boat Home <情越海岸線>, Karma Rider <師父·明白了>
A graduate of TVB’s 13th artist training class, Matt was also a classmate of Tavia Yeung (楊怡) and Raymond Lam (林峯). Matt had the potential to become the next leading star after starring in the 2003 fantasy drama, The W Files, but one brush with the law got his career spiraling downhill. At one point, Matt even had to open up a small retail business in Hong Kong to earn a living. Matt’s struggles, however, may soon come to an end this year. The 32-year-old currently has two dramas lined up to air in 2013. His role in Slow Boat Home is also heavy.
8. Benjamin Yuen (袁偉豪)
Best Known For: 2012’s The Hippocratic Crush
Potential Breakout: A Change of Heart <好心作怪>, Always and Ever <情逆三世緣>, The Hippocratic Crush 2
The former Mr. Hong Kong winner never really got the attention of the audience until the 2011 sitcom, Til Love Do Us Lie <結·分@謊情式>, and definitely not until 2012’s critical success The Hippocratic Crush. Although the actor has yet to firmly establish himself as a scene-stealing supporting actor, he may have the chance to show his potential this year with the fantastic blockbuster line-ups A Change of Heart, Always and Ever, and The Hippocratic Crush 2.
7. Sammy Shum (沈震軒)
Best Known For: “Don” in Lan Kwai Fong 2 <喜愛夜蒲2>
Potential Breakout: Nomination for Best New Performer at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards
Sammy is one of those very rare TVB artists who have first found success in film rather than in television. His sexy performance as Don in the film Lan Kwai Fong 2 has earned him a nomination for Best New Performer at the 2013 Hong Kong Film Awards. Even if Sammy fails to take home the award in the end, his critical acceptance will no doubt attract the attention of film producers and casting agents.
6. Sire Ma (馬賽)
Best Known For: 2011’s Most Improved Female Artist
Potential Breakout: Bullet Brain <神探哥倫布>, No Reserve <巾幗梟雄之諜血長天>
Arguably one of TVB’s fastest rising stars of today, Sire’s win as TVB’s Most Improved Female Artist award in 2011 was well-received by colleagues and critics, despite having less than two years of television acting experience behind at the time. Sire has never failed to deliver a poor performance, and although her acting is far from excellent, her improvements are quite obvious. In 2013, she will be starring in two major dramas with Wayne Lai –Bullet Brain, which will be airing next month, and No Reserve, which will likely be an Anniversary drama.
5. Priscilla Wong (黃翠如)
Best Known For: i-Cable host, 2013’s Reality Check <心路GPS>
Potential Breakout: Karma Rider <師父·明白了>
A former i-Cable television presenter, Priscilla’s close relationship with TVB executive, Sandy Yu (余詠珊), has made her move to TVB a smooth one. Although Priscilla was criticized for receiving special treatment from TVB due to her connection with Sandy, Priscilla performed amicably and genuinely as a leading actress in Reality Check, establishing herself as a credible rising star. Coming up next for Priscilla will be the comic inspired period drama, Karma Rider, in which she will take another stab as being a leading lady.
4. Angel Chiang (蔣家旻)
Best Known For: 2011’s When Heaven Burns <天與地>, Come Home Love <愛·回家>
Potential Breakout: The First Time Wasn’t You <第一次不是你>
After gaining attention from portraying the young Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) in 2011’s When Heaven Burns, Angel secured a leading spot in the ongoing prime time show, Come Home Love, a popular sitcom to watch over dinner. Her successful performance in Come Home Love has gotten her a deal to star as the leading character in Patrick Kong’s (葉念琛) new romantic film, The First Time Wasn’t You. If the film becomes a box office hit, Angel’s career will see a rapid rise.
3. Eliza Sam (岑麗香)
Best Known For: Divas in Distress
Potential Breakout: Sniper Standoff <神槍狙擊2013>, The Hippocratic Crush 2, Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲霄II>
Eliza still has a long road to go until she cements herself as a leading star, but her scene-stealing debut performance in last year’s Divas in Distress definitely makes her constantly watched on radar. Her 180 degree change from being a bubbly and genuine news reporter in Divas in Distress to a quiet and reserved elite SDU officer in the upcoming Sniper Standoff is also highly anticipated by viewers. In addition to starring in more grand drama productions this year, Eliza will also be starring alongside Wong Cho Lam in the upcoming Patrick Kong film, Delete Lover <Delete愛人>, which will her entrance to the Hong Kong film industry.
2. Wong Cho Lam (王祖藍)
Best Known For: Fun with Liza and Gods <荃加福祿壽> and Inbound Troubles <老表, 你好嘢!>
Potential Breakout: Princess and Seven Kung Fu Masters <笑功震武林>, Delete Lover, Food for the Slaves <食為奴>, upcoming Inbound Troubles sequels.
There will be a lot of projects lining up for Wong Cho Lam this year. Besides album promotions, Cho Lam will be busy promoting his two comedy films, working on his Inbound Troubles sequels (which will reportedly include a movie sequel and a television drama spin-off), and filming for Food for the Slaves. Cho Lam also expressed his wishes to open up his own production studio sometime in the future. Factoring in at Cho Lam’s current rate of income and exposure, Cho Lam may find a new breakthrough in the following months.
1. Edwin Siu (蕭正楠)
Best Known For: 2002’s Best New Male Singer
Potential Breakout: Brother’s Keeper <巨輪> and No Reserve
In predicting potential breakout stars for 2013, Edwin Siu will without a doubt take the top spot. The 36-year-old became an instant hit when he first debuted as a singer in the entertainment industry in 2002; unfortunately, a mere misunderstanding and miscommunication between him and the media nearly ruined his career. He made a bold move when he chose to step into TVB’s entrance in 2008, but it was surely a move he did not regret.
Unlike the stars mentioned above, Edwin never had a truly significant breakthrough; his current success came from years of cultivation and establishing an affinity with the audience. Nonetheless, Edwin’s rise to leading siu sang appears to be inevitable. In fact, 2013 may be the year to see that happening with his involvement in upcoming grand productions, Brother’s Keeper and No Reserve. The success of these two highly anticipated dramas will pave the way for future leading-man roles for Edwin.
This original feature article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
How do you define breakout stars? Because it implies nobodies who became somebody and a star can’t be breaking out each and every year. Eliza Sum already broken out so to speak in Divas in Distress. Matt Yeung, Sammy Shum, Sire Ma, all had their moments.
The article implies more on rising star, after all after you breakout, you then rise.
Wong Cho Lam is not a breakout star. He already did.
Breakout star should be for names such as Hero Yuen, nobody who became so noticed and household name by the very first or one of the first series he did.
I consider this list as rising stars.
“Sammy is one of those very rare TVB artists who have first found success in film rather than in television. ”
No offense, some may see this as a demotion.
I was going to say this applies more to Wong Cho Lam since he was first lead in movies already “Short of Love”.
I guess at least he’s popularity somewhere vs nowhere
Wang cho lam is damn annoying and ugly.cannot stand him
I agree that this is a list of rising stars kinda like going from supporting to maybe third lead (except for Angel and Tracy).
Angel was liked but she was never given more chances after WHB to be a solid supporting or something. So I’d consider Angel as not having her breakthrough yet.
The future awaits Tracy.
YES HERO YUEN! ikr I totally had no clue who he was but I still liked him in RC!
Placing heavy bets on Benjamin Yuen and EDWIN SIU. Man, I can feel Edwin will definitely get Most Improved Actor. He’s doing well so far…Sammy is decent as well. Everyone else, continue improving…especially Eliza.
#dislikeher
agree. too much eliza everywhere! getting sick of her.
i’m ok with all the guys except wong cho lam. he’s been rising for years already and already been given lead actors in movies since many years ago. breakout where?
agree, edwin siu rather good in series nowadays…he can portray villain or good guy
eliza is too heavily promoted by tvb… -_-
Karma Rider, such a name. Why dun name it Kamen Rider and then make a supersentai one :P.
I made predictions at the beg of the year and I also had Edwin Siu on my list. He’s doing well so far in A Great Way 2. I also had Ruco Chan, Natalie Tong and (in some extent) Tavia on my list (http://casualtvb.blogspot.ca/2012/12/2013-forecast.html)
I agree with Funn that some of these should be called rising stars instead of breakouts. I don’t think most of the list will suddenly shoot up in popularity like Eliza in DID, but they can steadily build name recognition. Like Matt Yeung, Priscilla, Angel Chiang. Only one I see potentialy seeing Eliza-like rise would be Tracy Chu since she’s largely an unknown right now.
I tend to think that Tracy Chu rose up as quicker than Eliza.
Shes promoted faster than eliza sam as her first drama is a leading role (same as Rebecca zhu). Eliza was unknown kelafare in TC and GJ2.
@Nicole, yep that’s what I am saying.
I think I’m getting sick of Tracy more than Eliza since Eliza is cuter than Tracy. But do you notice that Tracy doesn’t go to a lot of commercial functions besides tvb ones = she’s only getting tvb’s support.
@Nicole
I agree but Rebecca didn’t really shine/impress me in SSSS. I don’t expect Tracy to either based on her mc skills and tabloid news reports.
@Dorie
Nah, I just mean they are being pushed up faster than Eliza, although that doesn’t guarantee success.
However, Eliza could have easily be in Rebecca’s current position, had their roles been switched. I don’t think Eliza could have handled the “Siu Yau” character better than Rebecca.
1. DID is a light comedy, SSSS is a heavy drama.
2. Heung Heung is a cheerful and cute character, Siu Yau is a confused(?), dramatic character.
3. Eliza is paired with Chin Ka Lok(old+ not so popular actor), vs Rebecca paired with siu sangs with obsessed fans like Kenneth and Ron = lots of hate when she goes from one to the other.
4. Accents are more jarring in period dramas than modern ones.
5. Rebecca’s ugly hairstyle vs Eliza’s simple but pleasing modern look.
Really ends up being luck.
I find Rebecca isn’t that bad in SSSS, in fact I find she is quite ok in facial expressions. There is a scene of her and Ron in the middle when she tries to convince him, she did well with the eyes. Eliza did well with the emotions in DID, too. So if these girls have potential, why dun give them chances to have leading roles? Unless you want to see the same wooden faces of the current fadans on TV all the times. Yeah I find the two girls Rebecca and Eliza, although they are still raw, have more facial expressions but less OTT than some in top 5 current fadans.
Edwin has always been a good artiste in my mind. I also enjoy watching Matt and Sammy
Tracy chu looks grossssssssssss
Your personality isn’t that pretty either.
Maybe it’s just me, I don’t dislike Edwin but I don’t really like him either. He’s a Decent actor but nothing in his acting stands out to me that other guys can’t do. I still dont find what’s so funny or good with Wong cho lam’s acting. His humor is as good as Toilet humor thats not funny. I have no hopes for Tracy. First series, no expectations from her. Sammy shum’s acting reminds me of Louis koo. He has little actions that is very similar to Louis koo.
LOVE Sire Ma and Sammy Shum! Wish them both the best of luck! <3
yea. I like Sire too. All the best to her. Sammy need to get bigger roles. He have potential.
At the phrase “Sire has never failed to deliver a poor performance”, does that mean that her performance is always poor? If that’s not what is trying to be said…it should probably be rephrased…
Does anybody here watch Come Home Love?
Roxanne Tong first appeared in ep220. I like her much more than Tracy Chu and her acting so far is pretty good for a newbie. She should be given more chances and I hope she will become a leading fadan one day 🙂
Because remember how Linda Chung debuted in Virtues of Harmony 2? She first came in like ep 259 = later than Roxanne. People liked Linda which led to her rise.
True Roxanne is not as young and innocent looking as Linda. Also Roxanne was uplaced in misshk 🙁 so has less “fame” than Linda who won champion at MCI. Nevertheless although sitcoms don’t have as much viewers as later dramas at least they give the chance for every character to have at least one episode to themselves = chance to breakthrough. Also i feel that TVB should “respect” Roxanne’s dad.
I watch Come Home Love!! I really like this sitcom compared to some other sitcoms. I really like the Griselda and Max Cheung’s pairing! I hope TVB develops their pairing more. Roxanne is pretty good so far in terms of acting.
Rooting for Sammy Shum and Benjamin Yuen.
Edwin already secure his place as a pretty solid supporting/2nd line actor; it’s a matter of time until he leads.
In terms of Wong Cho Lam, I feel like he’s already a breakout. Maybe not in terms of TV dramas, but there really isn’t anyone that DOESN’T know he is.
As for female potential “break outs”
I’m not a fan of any of them. Have to see how Tracy Chu does. Eliza Sam isn’t getting on my nerves yet, so actually pretty excited to see her role in three of the most anticipated series on my list.
Somehow I see Sammy Shum as the rising star in TVB. He has chameleon-like looks that can play nice guy, creepy guy, evil guy, cool guy, etc. He has the looks. He has the voice. He has the youth. Body maybe not but at this point unfortunately his acting ability is lesser than that of his ability to look the part. In time he will do well and I hope he gets the chances. Same with Vincent Wong.
I respect Edwin Siu for his patience but I somehow feel his acting is to me a bit subpar. Not that he is terrible but he overacts, a lot. He is just too over the top. But to some you may like his style. It is a question whether do you prefer the OTT or the understated, which is in nicer terms labelled as wooden. I sorta prefer wooden because wooden can improve to be just right but OTT is a bad habit and after a while they can’t unload and be less OTT without being pretentiously understated. It just feels they are never detached from their real personality.
But one actor moved away from that and that is Raymond Lam. Remember when he first came out? Oh and and Michelle Ye can fight for the title of who is THE MOST OTT ever in TVB. Michelle Ye remains more or less the same these days, except she keeps her OTT at bay and is now looking at times like a mad woman ready to burst out. Raymond controlled that and became understated in a good way, unfortunately lately he is sorta back to OTT at times or being terribly wooden at most. It is like he can’t settle between which aspect which is such a terrible waste.
But I can tell you I just saw the trailer for YET another Ip Man movie starring Anthony Wong as aged Ip Man. Maybe real Ip Man looks and talks that way but what a way to shatter the legendary perception eh? The WORST casting decision ever.
Anyway, I was talking about Edwin Siu. He is likeable but seriously to me, he is subpar in acting. He is better at comedy or rather light hearted dramas rather than as the evil guy bent on creating chaos because his eyes can like open really wide.
Why no one ever list Chris Lai (Lok Yee) as potential rising star from the dead? I was watching this half hour sitcom (can’t remember the name) and I thought that sitcom suited him perfectly, quietly changing his lazy intonations from very lazy to somewhat surfer dude lazy which is a 100% improvement, he looks good, he sheds that wooden persona and so far in most series where he plays the secondary character, he is doing quite well. He is still boring to me but at least this is one actor who has improved a lot. Maybe it is time to give him a bigger role but I feel perhaps he is better suited for half hour sitcoms.
Another who surprised me was Ng Kar Lok. Being older does make him more manlier.
I find most of Come Home Love’s male characters to be refreshing and new, especially Max Yeung. And I totally agree with you regarding Chris Lai and Carlos Ng! I also feel the cast in Come Home Love has a balance of veteran actors and new actors/actresses. TVB needs to create these type of dramas but don’t overcast people.
I also feel that Tsui Wing should be used more or at least give him a breakthrough role.. I really liked his acting in Best Selling Secrets!
More than likely, Sammy Shum would “break out” of TVB.
Sorry, but he doesn’t seem like the type who would stay and film TVB series. Now, here’s a guy who looks hot with facial hair. Compared to all those Luk Siu Fung actors.
I will say, I agree.
Agree
Addy, You left out Mandy Wong. Mandy is also another female contender that’s likely to stand out from her roles in Change of Heart along with Always and Ever where she’s portraying as esther kwan’s evil younger sister.
maybe sire ma should change her name as it sounds too manly?
I actually like Angel Chiang and Sammy Shum for a long time. Hope to see them for often. ^^
Not entirely on topic, but whats the name of the actress who played Felix Wong’s daughter in Gun Metal Grey? She doesn’t have enough exposure to be a star yet, but her acting was very decent for a relative newcomer on that series. Tvb definately need to promote her more instead of just the few ke-le-fare roles I’ve seen her in since.
As for the ones listed above, my votes go to Angel and Benjamin respectively
Her name is Janice Ting Lok Sze. She signed with CTI but dunnoe why she is listed as a langmo now.
Yes – BENJAMIN ^__^, Matt, Sammy, Eliza, Cho lam, Edwin
I personally dislike Sire Ma, her acting sucks. She can’t act, and hate the way she speaks. Talented Nancy is better than in every way. Not sure why TVB is so stupid that they are promoting her instead of Nancy and other talent ones.
I think Sire is quite good. She’s the best together with Mandy Wong among the new generation actresses so far.
by watching couple of her series, her acting really sucks. Although she is one of the rising stars, but is not talented
Really? I was quite impressed by her crying scenes in SSSS, quite natural actually.
Support benjamin yuen
me too, but it seems he’s not that recognized either. a lot of wasted talents in tvb…
Matt Yeung has been in series forever and is still now consider a potential breakout star? haha gosh…
Koo Ming Wah has been acting even longer, but he’s the undeniable break out star of 2012.
This is a bad article. Some of the stars in this article already had breakthrough roles last last last year.
I don’t understand this list. Break-out stars but there are already ones that already break-out (Edwin Siu, Sire Ma & Wong Cho Lam). A rising-star list, but there are ppl that is not even a star yet like Tracy Chu. Seriously… don’t know why Tracy Chu is on this list… she hasn’t even act in any series. I know she is in HCII but we didn’t we have a chance to see her act!!! There are names which I don’t even know who they are!!!
POTENTIAL breakout star.
Me too seriously confused with names that are listed….anyway this their hong kong…style…
10. Tracy Chu (朱千雪)
she is suck in J.S.G 2013-03-23 – 勁歌金曲
Not expecting, she will be good in The Hippocratic Crush 2
8. Benjamin Yuen (袁偉豪)
7. Sammy Shum (沈震軒)
9. Matt Yeung (揚明)
If they have a chance, will be good potential
3. Eliza Sam (岑麗香)
Have a cuteness that people will love
1. Edwin Siu (蕭正楠)
so far, so good, not breakout yeah
The rest, no comment
I only recognize a few names in there, but I’m sure I have seen them all before considering how much TVB recycles actors.
It would be supremely awesome if pics were attached next to each of the actors names. The montage of pics at the top is not helping me 😛
I miss Oceane Zhu in the list. She’s definitely my favorite. Hope she gets more TVB series to act. In the list I root for Benjamin Yuen. He improved a lot.
I would appreciate a picture under each name…
Jayne:
Is your numbering of actors and actresses ranked order in your guestimation of likelihood in breaking out this year? If so, Wong Cho Lam seems to #1 based on the number of appearances and commitments based on commercials, variety and serials.
this article was written by Addy, not Jayne.
Got it…jumped into the contents of the article to notice….
Huh?
Sammy Shum should be given more roles. He’s cool, hot, smart and evil!
In terms of potential – I see two girls who had breakout performances. Tina Shek in AGWTC2 and Kirby Lam in GJ2.