Kenneth Ma Eager for More Villain Roles
Though often dubbed as TVB’s top Diamond Bachelor, Kenneth Ma (馬國明) said he is tired of being the good guy. “After so many years in the industry, I really want to change my acting style. I want to be anything but good,” said Kenneth.
The 41-year-old made his debut after graduating in TVB’s acting class of 2000. After many walk-on roles, Kenneth finally snagged a breakthrough role in 2003’s Triumph in the Skies <衝上雲霄>. Since then, Kenneth has left a positive and lighthearted impression with the audience.
Not Good in Comedies
“I’ve been offered many comedies lately,” said Kenneth, who has recently filmed the TVB comedy Rouge Emperor <流氓皇帝>. “I really don’t think I’m good at being funny, but I don’t mind getting some training.”
Kenneth confessed that he actually enjoys villain roles more and wants to tackle a different image. The actor’s most recent villainous performance was his guest star role in 2011’s The Other Truth <真相>, portraying a money laundering accountant. “I really had fun with that role. I usually have a very naive image, portraying an evil character can bring in explosive responses. After many years in the industry, I really want to change my acting style to add more freshness to my performances. I’m willing to do any role, even if the content is sensitive. I don’t mind getting yelled at by people on the streets. That’s what happened to me when The Other Truth was airing, which told me that my character was successful.”
No Ambition for TV King
Rouge Emperor is slated to air later this year. An adaptation of the 1981 TVB classic The Misadventure of Zoo <流氓皇帝> starring Adam Cheng (鄭少秋), Kenneth is already generating Best Actor buzz. However, Kenneth lacks ambition to win TV King, exclaiming that he would rather win money instead.
“Winning TV King through this drama is not impossible, but it depends on luck. The audience’s taste is hard to predict,” said Kenneth. “I don’t have the ambition. I’ll rather spend time earning more money to buy an apartment!” Kenneth shared that he is currently looking to purchase some property, but has not found the right one yet. “I plan to live with my family, and if I get married, I want to buy two units next to each other.”
Though Kenneth has received several film offers over the years, he was hesitant in accepting them. “The filming locations are far and the duration is long. I’m worried about my family.”
Revealing that he has only two years left in his TVB contract, Kenneth is still uncertain about his future. “There are artistes who left to form their own agencies, but I haven’t thought about that yet. I’m not good in business, and I’m not ruthless enough. I’ll get scammed!”
Wants Low-Maintenance Girlfriend
Although dubbed as a highly desirable bachelor, Kenneth disagrees. “There are plenty of other people who are also single and successful.”
Being in the spotlight comes with its quirks. In the last few years, Kenneth was romantically linked with Natalie Tong (唐詩詠), Tracy Chu (朱千雪), and model Jackie X (徐佳琦).
“The paparazzi said Natalie was all over me while trying when we were taking photos. The truth is, we were at a party and she acted that way with everyone. As for the reports about driving Tracy home, as a gentleman I think it’s normal to take a coworker home after midnight. I also dropped off another coworker that night, but the paparazzi hid his face with the words ‘caught red-handed.’ It was funny. At least love rumors are better than having discord rumors.”
Kenneth admitted that he went out several times with model Jackie X. “We ate two meals together and kept in touch through text messages. Since we were both busy, we never developed further.”
When it comes to dating, Kenneth’s parents were never picky about his girlfriends. They never rushed to him get married. “I’m a boring person, so I really need someone who isn’t. I need someone who can lead me, but I don’t want to date a spoiled princess.”
Expressing his love for children, Kenneth wants to have children after marriage. “I want to have two to three kids. It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or girl, just as long as the kids have a companion. A single child can get lonely.”
Source: On.cc
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
I’d like to see Kenneth in more villain roles too. I liked his “King of Thieves” role from Tiger Cubs
I liked Alex from “TOT” and Do Tin Yu from “Tiger Cubs 1”. But I am worried that Kenneth might not have the skills to take up a full-on main villain role.
I love Kenneth and think he is cute both on screen and off screen but I wasn’t really that impressed with his villain roles in “Grace Under Fire” and “The Lives of a Sentinel (??)” He was really overacting, bulging his eyes, and screaming a lot in scenes which did not require it.
But then again, Kenneth may improve. But I think white-collar villains or cool villains who don’t talk much may suit him more than psycho maniacs.
Kenneth was indeed good in The other truth and stole the limelight from the main leads, especially Tavia. But, after watching him in other dramas, I’ve found that his acting just isn’t natural. It’s forced and hard to watch. Oh, I just started a new blog on Asian entertainment! http://ceejays-entertainment.blogspot.com please check it out!
i love watching Kenneth as the villain especially in Grace Under Fire … attractive too in Life & Times of A Sentinel while he was really scary in Tiger Cubs … The Other Truth was also interesting but maybe because of the script, the accountant character seems confused but still stylish … would like to watch a drama with Kenneth Ma and Ruco Chan together again =)
really prefer to watch Kenneth Ma acting in serious drama storylines rather than comedies, but no such chance this year since Noblese Oblique was also a half comedy … hope to watch Kenneth again in some serious content dramas as the main lead soon ^ ^
I used to like Kenneth Ma, but not as much now. He talks about making money all the time.
To achieve the TV King status is not only an ambition of an actor, it is also a recognition. I wish he would work harder to act well in every single role rather than to film more drama series so as to make more money for him to get a nice and big apartment.