Intoxicated with Florinda Ho, Joel Chan Pulled Out of “Return to the Three Kingdoms”
Earlier, it was exposed that Joel Chan San Chung met with rumored girlfriend, Florinda Ho, in Great Britain. Apparently, Joel and Florinda’s love relationship was progressing well. However, Joel’s TVB career may be unsteady. According to reliable sources, Joel was too immersed in dating and did not want to work, resulting in filming delays toReturn to the Three Kingdoms <回到三國>. TVB decided to replace Joel’s role in the series with Pierre Ngo Ka Nin instead. Another rumor circulated that Joel withdrew from the filming of Return to the Three Kingdoms because his elder brother had an accident in China.
Allegedly, Joel cold-heartedly divorced his ex-wife, Ponny Yeung, in order to pursue casino tycoon, Stanley Ho’s daughter, Florinda. The negative rumors caused Joel’s image to plummet in recent months. At the dinner for My Cruel Lover <我的如意狼君> held on April 11th, Producer Lee Tim Sing revealed that Joel bought an airplane ticket valued over $10,000 (HKD) to leave Hong Kong. Allegedly, Florinda’s mother, Chan Yuen Chun (Stanley Ho’s third wife) did not approve of Joel and Florinda’s relationship. As a result, Joel took a last-minute 11-day vacation from TVB so he can meet Florinda in Great Britain.
Provoking TVB Executive Management
Busily dating, Joel’s focus strayed away from work. On April 3rd, Joel claimed to have fallen ill and did not appear at the promotional event for Relics of an Emissary <洪武三十二>. On April 16th, Joel was again absent from the promotional event since he was away from Hong Kong. Since Joel plays a supporting role in Relics of an Emissary, his continual absence at promotional events incurred the wrath of TVB executive management.
Originally, Joel had the opportunity to appear in TVB anniversary series, Return to the Three Kingdoms. On March 16th, he appeared at the costume fitting for the role of Sun Quan. Since Joel could not film for Return to the Three Kingdoms, he was pulled out of the series and replaced by Pierre Ngo.
Virginia Lok confirmed the cast change, “We did not decide to pull Joel out of the series. He could not act in the series due to timing issues. Yesterday, he called me and said that something happened at home. He needed to go back to China for two to three weeks. His scenes in Return to the Three Kingdoms would start filming in May. He asked whether it was possible to cast another actor if the filming schedule cannot be accommodated. We discussed the matter with Producer Lau Ka Ho, who was very understanding in Joel’s situation. We decided to cast Pierre Ngo in the role.”
Yesterday, Pierre Ngo tried the costume for Return to the Three Kingdoms. Over the phone, he said, “Today was the first day I tried the costume. After being briefed on the story, I should start filming soon.” Pierre said he did not know the reason for the sudden change in casting decision. “I don’t know why. My manager told me that Joel Chan took a long vacation and that I would be playing his role.” How did Pierre feel about being the second choice in casting? “It’s still TVB’s production. I will do whatever they ask of me. [When attacked by Sin Ho Ying], my role in Thunder of the Forbidden City <紫禁驚雷> was replaced by Jack Wu Lok Yin. These issues occur all the time.”
Since the filming completion of My Cruel Lover and updating several photos on his blog last month, Joel has disappeared from the public eye. Rumored girlfriend, Florinda Ho, uploaded a photo of a red rose and wrote “pretty”on her blog, leading to speculation that Joel gave her the flowers.
Excerpt from Appledaily
Jayne: Joel Chan’s silence is leading many people to think the worst, that he is abandoning work for love. Hopefully, his brother’s health is stable.
From Joel to Pierre. Quite a big difference in look. Joel is closer to my idea of Sun Quan than Pierre. Joel looks more warrior like and muscular compared to Pierre who is very thin.
Haha, I think Pierre is too short to look convincing as a historical character, maybe even a hero. However, I have more more in Pierre’s acting than Joel’s.
Sorry, I meant more *faith in Pierre’s acting.
If Donnie Yen can be Guang Gong, anyone can be anybody.
If Raymond Lam can be Zhuge Liang, anybody can be anybody.
Pierre looks thin but in acting I think Pierre is better than Joel. Joel has much more to improve and it’s disappointing if he indeed pull out due to Florinda’s matter.
Pierre is a good actor but he doesn’t have the feel of a warrior or a king.
I agree that Pierre does not look like a warrior. Pierre can act but I don’t know how he will execute the role.
look forward to see 3 kingdom without Joel Chan, lol, maybe itsgonna be even better, jies acting are lousy, best stick with chasing rich daughters, lo, goodluck to joe chan Sai mei!!
Why am I not too surprised to hear this? Joel doesn’t come across as an actor serious about his work. Since his family is semi-rich, he doesn’t need the money to live and I doubt its enough for him to live his lifestyle. His acting isn’t bad and even passable if you watch him for the first few times. However, having seem him in so many series for the last few years, his acting has improved very little and he is becoming very dull. It might be the characters he portrays, but his acting is quite superficial and is neither deep nor memorable.
As for Florinda, she actually better in that photo above than in any other photo I’ve seen of her. Does anyone know if she’s still studying in England or has she graduated? I thought she was older as she looks very mature and old in her pics, but apparently, she is only around 23-24. From the interviews I’ve seen of her, she seems to be in HK a lot of the time. How does she has time to focus on her studies overseas?
What make you think he is not serious as an actor? He doesn’t need to lay on TVB’s salary doesn’t mean he is not serious. If he is not, he gave up years ago.
@Fox He doesn’t seem to put his work first before his love life. While there is nothing wrong if that as everyone has priorities, his acting has had little improvements and it’s becoming very dull. His latest news just doesn’t paint a good image on his acting career. Personally, a serious and good actor should have improvements over time. I wouldn’t be surprised if he entered the industry just to play to have a fun job.
@Fox No, that’s not what I meant. Salary doesn’t determine whether or not the artist is serious or not, but to a certain extent it does. If the artist needs the money, then they’ll be more obedient and try harder than everyone else. I feel that Tavia and Natalie fall into that category. Also, passion for acting might have more to do with how serious they are. Some just want the money, some the fame, some want’s to meet wealthy people. Joel seems quite easygoing and a playful individual that you can easily befriend, but I still have doubts about how faithful he is.
Why you think he dun put his work first before his love life? Because the article said so? I don’t think so and from wat I saw in him, I think he is passionate with acting career, but he lacks something to be successful.
For his acting, there are tons of artists will little improvements in acting. Do you mean they all are not serious?
Sorry, I don’t see TY and Natalie Tong any hardworking than others. Can you give me example why you she they are more hardworking than others?
@Fox No, the article did not claim that, but most discussions that go on here are based on interpretations and our own opinions anyway. I don’t see Joel as being too serious about his acting; I don’t see the passion in his acting and I can’t remember any of his recent roles. He doesn’t leave an impression ON ME. Yes, maybe on you, but not me.
Tavia and Natalie are only two examples of hardworking artists. Of course, there are many more like Charmaine . However, what I’m saying is that compared to Tavia and Natalie, Joel doesn’t stand out as being too serious. Personally, I feel that with his family and financial situation, he doesn’t need to be too serious if he didn’t want to. He has a CHOICE. Tavia and Natalie don’t because of they come from normal families. From interviews, Tavia seems to place money above fame and states that she doesn’t care if she gets promoted to top fadan. Same with Natalie.
Also, maybe I haven’t seen Joel’s passion and seriousness for acting yet because of the availability of info and interviews of him on the web. After all, I could only base my opinions of what’s available out there and what I’ve seen. I haven’t seen the passionate side of him yet…
What is your favorite role of Joel? Which series do you think he acts the best in? Most memorable role of his?
I still don’t get your view on 3C. He can’t leave you an impression means he isn’t serious with acting? So if I say I have never be impressed with Natalie Tong in any series and can’t rmb which roles she has, mean she isn’t serious with acting? I guess the answer is “No”.
He has a choice, but he chose to be an actor. That proves he is serious, right? If he wants to play around in the industry, he will quit whenever he wants.
My most favourite role of 3C is in E.U. I really like him when he knows he has cancer and wants to prove his dad that he isn’t an useless son.
@Fox We just have different perceptions about Joel, haha… And yep, definitely. Choosing to be an actor, going into this field can totally prove he is a serious actor…
It’s not about money. If you want money don’t work in TVB. It is ambition that drives these people. When you have ambition and you find success, money will follow. But to have ambition you must have passion for what you do. I think Joel probably lost that passion, that drive and ambition. And no doubt TVB kicked him out probably because he turned up late for rehearsals, etc. I don’t blame TVB if that is the case.
And since he found himself a rather well off lady, I think he finds her a better investment than his own future. If I were her I would rethink my decision with a man whose only ambition is to have me.
Chriselle: Florinda does look really pretty in the above pic and I agree better than most that I’ve seen as well.
Florinda’s baby sister is much hotter!!
she’s actually 22, she’s born in 1989
3C’s career is climbed a bit and this scandal dragged him to hell. Haizz, poor him. I really like him in E.U where he showed that he can shine if they give him chances. Then, he has chances and a scandal popped up. What’s so wrong with him? He divorced and even if he dates a new girl, what’s so wrong? Because the girl is rich?
I think it’s just the fact that he apparently divorced his wife to pursue her. I guess it appears to be wrong because he dumped his wife for a younger richer girl.
But his wife in a recent interview also said that it’s not true. They divorced long time ago and nothing related to Florinda. It’s a peaceful breakup and she didn’t mean him in her weibo.
@Fox Didn’t his wife say she was very hurt when he asked to sign divorce paper? Now in an interview, she’s saying that Florinda is not the third party?
His wife said “God is seeing” in her weibo. The reporters reported this on mags. Ponny Yeung then stated that this quote she dun target Joel 3C like the reporters said. She has no problem with the divorce and 3C himself.
@Fox I’m not even sure if this is a scandal. Are you sure it dragged him to hell? Despite him being removed from 3 Kingdoms down due to scheduling conflicts, his roles aren’t limited and it’s not like TVB froze him. His image as a faithful man might have been tarnished. There isn’t anything wrong with him to get together with someone else after the divorce, but if he cheated on his wife during the marriage and flirted with Florinda, then that’s cheating. Although it’s not up to us to judge, it’s difficult to believe that he didn’t give up his wife for a younger, richer, and possibly prettier woman. Even if that weren’t the truth, in the eyes of the public, it’s inevitable for people to believe that he was unfaithful.
Joel was nominated for Most Improved or Best Supporting a couple years ago and I believe it was for E.U. I remember commenting that his role was so insignificant and small that I can’t remember what character he played and thus he was not deserving for either category. I see him quite a few series each year, but I can’t remember any of them. His characters just don’t stand out to me, but if you’re a fan of his, then of course, you see it differently.
His role in E.U is definitely not small and insignificant.
I’m not a fan of 3C.
Do you think wat’s up if he didn’t cheat? You can’t ensure he cheated, right? Ponny herself now says she dun have problem with the divorce and 3C, all created by the reporters. So his career is destroyed by the reporters like this, do you think it’s unfair for him?
@Fox Well, depending how you define small and significant then. It took me a minute to remember he was still there, what character he played, and what he did to the story. (Actually, I still don’t remember how he impacted the series.)
Of course, I can’t ensure that he cheated. Lots of time the reporters frame everything to make it seem real when its not. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he did since Florinda is younger, wealthier, and prettier (not sure, but since Ponny is 40, I would assume Florinda is prettier). Who won’t be tempted?!! She has everything that a man wants unless personality meant a lot to Joel. However, regarding personality, I don’t know Florinda personally and I don’t know how important that factor is for Joel in relationships.
How is his career destroyed? He was still casted in 3 Kingdoms. And I don’t think it’s unfair for him because he was the one who decided to leave the drama; it’s not like because of his relationship with Florinda, TVB kicked me out and replaced him on purpose with Pierre.
I don’t see how TVB is affecting his career too since he pulled out on his own accord. It’s not like TVB kicked him to insert Pierre in but it’s his own choice to manage his personal life.
I don’t remember at all that Joel was in EU. I can even remember Kaki Leung’s bad acting but nothing about Joel.
Well, can you ensure he isn’t kicked out of 3K series?
He has just has first second leading role in Cruel lover, and then after that, he is kicked out of a role he received. He disappeared but the media still chases him everywhere. I call it “destroy”. The media dun give him a breath.
You assume that he cheated and he isn’t serious with his work. I’m now discussing with you that there is nothing to say he isn’t serious, at all.
Why I said he has chance? He has the first second leading role in Cruel lover. But it’s sure to see that after the scandal with Florinda, 3C’s career is ruined.
Not sure that TVB kicked him out and replaced him by Pierre, but also not sure that he didn’t do that.
Whatever, I feel pity for him. He has potential, in my opinion.
“I will do whatever they ask of me”
Pierre will be promoted by TVB since he adheres to be obedient. TVB loves obedient artistes who will follows whatever TVB ask them to do without much questioning.
Of course. Better to promote one who will work diligently than one who doesn’t bother to turn up, and that is even before he is famous, so imagine when he is famous what he won’t do for you!
Florinda Ho is stunningly BEAUTIFUL.
She’s young and has more than enough money to make herself look beautiful. Joel’s ex-wife is 40+ so it’s natural that Florinda wins in looks.
Eh…I don’t really like Joel Chan in dramas, he is better in a kinda comedic style drama like OL supreme, and kinda getting sick of him, he should take a break. What’s wrong with taking time off to spend with your girlfriend?
Pierre sucks. rather see Sammul Chan as Sun Quan. not even his fan and think he is better than that fag looking Pierre(tired of TVB’s promotion of Mr Ngo.) shitty male cast for a drama with a historical flair. what did TVB turn this into with these lame guys in it? none of these actors look their part and doubt their acting skills too. okay Raymond and Kenneth are somewhat tolerable but they can add Ron to replace Joel, just someone better than that small dude PN, why cant they take this subject more seriously and not use crappy actors. i never liked Pierre and never will. hope he stay a supporting dude forever cause he sucks big time.