Steven Ma Adjusts Well to New Life in China
Since leaving TVB earlier this year, Steven Ma (馬浚偉) was offered with many job opportunities in mainland China. After completing Legend of Yuan Empire Founder <建元風雲> in March 2012, Steven immediately began filming for Yuan Yang Pei <鴛鴦佩> a period drama directed by Ally Wong (黃家輝). In addition, Steven will establish a new production studio at the end of the year under his name, Little Ma Workshop, and will take on the new challenge as a scriptwriter in September. He also has plans to release a new studio album, and is slowly working towards realizing his directing dreams. However, few knew about Steven’s rough childhood and how he suffered nearly three years of depression after his mother’s sudden death.
When discussing about his new life in China, Steven admitted that it was hard to adapt at first, but it did not take long to get used to. “I got along with the crew very quickly,” said Steven. “We often eat dinner together after work. We’re like a family.” Steven expressed that life in China has been smooth and comforting. “I have time to study scripts now. After work I would have time for the gym to play badminton or work out and I met a lot of new friends there. If I had to choose something that I’m not used to yet, it would be the food. Hong Kong people and the mainland Chinese eat differently. When I make soup, it is difficult to find the ingredients I want.”
Steven treated the filming crew of Yuan Yang Pei to dinner on their last day of filming. Since completing the filming of the drama, Steven admitted that he missed his Yuan Yang Pei co-workers and had nothing but praises when talking about the crew. A crew member even expressed that Steven was one of the first actors to treat them to such a huge dinner! Steven said, “It’s tradition for me to treat the crew to dinner after completing a production. I want to say thanks to them for their hard work!”
Battling Depression After Mother’s Death
Although Steven has nearly 20 years of experience under his belt, few knew about his rough childhood and internal emotional struggle after joining the industry. “I have been going in and out of the hospital with my mother since I was 6 years old,” said Steven. “When I was 14 years old, I worked at an ice cream shop to earn extra cash for the family. I matured at a very early age, so I never experienced that rebellious streak of a teenager.”
Steven believed that his Chaozhou ancestry made him feel more responsible towards his family. “Besides my father, I was the only man left in the house. Because my father worked long hours as a bus driver, I had to carry on the responsibilities to look after my family.” Steven is extremely close to his sisters and father and spends most of his time with his family whenever he returns to Hong Kong. “We all cherish each moment of our time together as a family,” said Steven.
When Steven began to reach initial successes in his career, he decided to buy a new house with suitable facilities for his mother so she could live more comfortably. However, before renovation of the house was finished, his mother passed away in 1999, after 22 years of battling cancer. She was 48 years old. “She was so young. I was shocked and could not believe it! I felt terrible! After work, I would go to the new house and just sit there staring blankly at the wall. I remained this way for three years!”
When Steven finally decided to visit the doctor for his emotional problem, he was told that he had been suffering from depression. “I suddenly woke up and decided that I could not live this way anymore.” With the support of his family and friends, he gradually came to accept his mother’s death.
Steven: “TVB Will Still Be My First Choice”
Currently in high demand as an actor in mainland China, Steven’s income increased immensely. Rumors say that TVB was willing to hire Steven back for a high price. Steven responded, “If I come upon a good script and character I will consider it, regardless of the television station. But without TVB, the Steven Ma of today would not exist. As long as it’s a good script, TVB will still be my first choice.”
Before joining TVB, Steven debuted as a singer in the industry. Thinking back to his days as a singer, Steven laughed. “I still love singing. At the end of the year, I will establish Little Ma Workshop and plan to release a music album.”
Becoming a Scriptwriter for the First Time
In September, Steven will take on the challenge as a scriptwriter for his new drama, which will begin principal filming in Shenzhen. “The synopsis is already set. It follows the life of a single mother and her experiences with family love, romantic love, and tender love. The script promotes love as its main theme.”
As for Steven’s directing plans, he confidently said, “I will be taking things slowly. We should not rush into things too quickly. I will concentrate on working with this drama’s script first before taking the next step.”
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
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My respect towards Steven.
Why is he so cute??
Love his charisma. He shares passion like Andy Lau but just didn’t have the luck Andy had. I’m not saying Steven Ma is better than Andy Lau but Steven resembles Andy in the sense of his work ethic.
Love both. Miss both in tvb series too!
I am currently watching ‘Daddy Good Deeds’ atm.Oh ya, why aren’t there any reviews for that series? Steven is still very charming even though he’s in his 40s and I enjoy his performance very much.
Daddy Good Deeds? No way. Edwin > Steven > Linda in that series.
Good for you Steven!! Do well and don’t ever return to TVB until you really have to. Though I shall miss you.
i luv hm… why should he go bck tvb whn thy cast hm off like a bad shoe… or wht is the exprssion…
His past hard life has mould him to be what he is now. He is a sure loss to TVB. I need to catch up with mainland series!!. Pity the dub is soooo poor which has always puts me off Mainland china series
Since 2006 Steven had always treated his series colleagues to a wrapping up dinner/barbecue. And he continues his tradition onto mainland. In the same interview as above Steven elaborated on his reason behind that:
On the night of filming completion, Steven paid out of own pocket for a 10-table banquet to treat his troupe members. Apparently when filming LOTYEF, his wrapping up filming celebratory banquet seated as many as 14 tables. Those present all had a great time feasting. They jested that Steven had set a precedent because few actors would do that.
But everything has two sides; tongues would wag and gossips would spread. Some people praise, naturally, others said the opposite. So not worry about gossips?
Talking about this matter, Steven demeanor suddenly became serious, he said: “Actually all these years in TVB my attitude was that after every completion of filming I would treat dinner. Just that the staff and crew were not as big as this troupe so in Hong Kong 5 or 6 tables would do it. Actually treating them to a dinner held no particular meaning. The reason was simply to thank them. Because actually to complete a series requires a whole of people. And some from start to end might not even have met each other at all. But in actuality they were all quietly doing their own work. Frankly speaking, I myself also started working in the society from the bottom up to slowly get to where I am now. I too would like people to remember me. It’s not a matter of a meal but rather a gesture of appreciation(心意). You invite but it is up to me whether to accept or not. I believe this is something I will continue doing in the future. I want to let them know that everyone of them who has given, there is always someone who notices. This kind of team spirit I will continue to maintain. Of course, doing this doesn’t represent it is good, because everybody has his/her own way of doing things. But that, I hope since we have had the fate to gather together for a few months, treating them to a meal and if one can afford it, I’m more than willing to do so.”
Steven is a good guy and he is truly a loss to TVB. All the best to him in his new endeavors.
Thanks for the info and that is really nice and sweet of Steven to do so. I do not think others would always pay out of their own pocket to show appreciation to their fellow colleagues. Steven is a big loss for TVB. I hope he does come back sometime but I at the same time, I am also looking forward to his performances in China.
Dang I used the wrong email address. oops!
Here’s the right one.
@pandamao: Funny you should mentioned Andy Lau because Lee Kwok Lun likens him to Andy too.
I once mentioned that Ma Zai has the style (風範) of Andy Lau of yesteryears. He did not know how to fight (in SITS), so he practiced nonstop in the outdoor scene studio. When discussing a show, he would, for sure, discuss it with much relish. During work, he was always charged with energy. I consider myself an ethical professional who also enjoys his work, but when compared to him I lagged behind. The fire/passion towards acting burns strong inside him. In this line of work, regardless front stage or backstage, all must have a ‘fire’ inside them. After 1997, the whole scene has changed. We often feel that the work quality has become sub par. But I feel that many of my colleagues rely on this bolt of fire to indefatigably challenge themselves, and to produce results that they can be proud of.
he is great, I miss seeing him in TVB shows.
i wish him all the best and hope he gets the recognition he deserves
I didn;t know his mother died so young.
Funn Lim: I think that segment on his past is a cut and paste rehash of past news article not part of this actual interview.
When I first read about her age I thought for sure it must have been a misprint. Steven was 28 when she passed away, and he has 3 older sisters.
2001 news report:
“To have survived 22 years of cancer was indeed a miracle. All these years, I had become accustomed to having a patient in the house, accustomed to taking care of her. I thought I could handle life and death; however, thinking and reality are two separate issues. Even seeing her health worsened, seeing her suffered, I was not ready to let her go. But to have her carry on was to make her suffer.
Steven has said many times in his interview that his father is his role model in life.
“During those years, I saw my father wholeheartedly taking care of my mother. I observed what an affectionate relationship was like. Recalling them, I believe there is such thing as everlasting true love. I believe that happy and fulfilling marriages do exist.”
Though those past articles on his mom are quite moving to read, his own words are even more so.
2007 yahoo blog
“Real” man? How to be one? Perhaps my father’s influence on me is truly too strong!
My father was a public transportation bus driver of 30 odd years. Since young till now, I have honestly never heard my father gripe about anything at all, or seen him displayed any nervousness or fear before me. Even when Mother passed away, he was calm. His conduct and demeanor had always made us feel calm and secure, that father was always there to take care of things.
Until that one day, the day I’ll always remember; the day of my mother’s funeral service. I distinctly remember that very minute when the coffin was about to be sealed, Father finally broke down in tears! At that time, my whole family, the relatives and good friends, all sobbed uncontrollably…except me, I didn’t dare to cry!
Didn’t dare? Hardly an exaggeration! Honestly, when even the master of the house could not hold back manly tears, which over the years I had never witnessed before, as the newly appointed man of the house, how could I dare cry?
Perhaps, you’ll laugh to think I over exaggerate, or that I over dramatize, but that was truly my irrefutable feelings of that moment, henceforth, forever imprinted indelibly in my heart!
Be that I’m only pretending to be strong, or that I’m actually weak; or question if I can truly hold on, or perhaps just putting on an act – So what if I am? That’s not important!
Anyway, I can hold on!
Steven is da best!
I do feel bad for him, in TVB he has always been given the “bad” series.
Hope his career takes off now!
well not necessarily.. He was in a number of pretty good rated dramas like Ghost Writer, Journey Called Life, Life and Times of a Sentinel, Safe Guard, Sweetness in Salt, etc.. & he never got a ‘real’ award or recognition because there’s just too much competition. Like if did well in this drama there’s always gonna another actor better then him in that drama. I guess he’s not really lucky.. and I feel bad for him too cuz he’s such a good actor. I hope he’ll come back to tvb soon..
SG was great but Wayne and other supporting actors did much better than Steven although Steven is the main lead and won award.
No offense Steven is always a formulaic actor. Wayne also overshadowed Steven in TGC2. In SITS Raymond Wong outshadowed Steven and in the latest Daddy series Edwin outshined Steven. In GW he was overshadowed by Fala who don’t have much experience acting LOL
@vivien: not steven’s fault! wayne is one of TVB’s best of course wayne will do great but steven was great too. In the other series it’s because Edwin has a funnier role and Fala had a pretty and likeable role. Raymond Wong was fresh that time and had a sympatehtic role that’s why audience like him more.
@vivien:so in conclusion it’s unfair to call steven overshadowed especially when you compare him to a great veteran such as wayne
Steven Ma is a good actor but he lacks charisma. My whole family noticed this and how his acting and expressions stays the same for many different characters. Becoming a scriptwriter may give him a new challenge.
@lol: to each own. you think Steven lack charisma that’s your opinion. Majority think he’s great but is unfairly treated by TVB.
I’ve always been fond of Steven and the series he’s in and sorry that he left TVB with unhappy feelings. Now it’s so good to know that he’s happy in his new environment and wish him success in whatever project he will be undertaking.
Charisma is as charisma does, to each her own.
Anyway bringing gift here to SM fans and supporters. Straight from Director Tsui’s weibo. Later uploaded onto youtube.
Ta-da! Steven’s Monk Zi Cong’s (LOTYEF) scenes. Thank goodness his dubber did an excellent job for his character. And of course Steven was brilliant in the short clip.
Steven scenes only:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmUBO1Nw3-Q
And a 30-min lotyef preview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mYy7TP4ZWY
The preview is excellent, epic, explosive, exciting, emotional, passionate, grandiose, intense, gripping, riveting, superior and lots more. One word — Brilliant!
Too bad Steven was unable to film in Mongolia as originally planned because of scheduling conflict.
I guess us Steven’s fans all felt so choked up at watching the LOTYEF preview especially his scenes because his role in the series came at such a high price to him.
tsui yy 7/6/2012 Recall that day, Siu Ming gor waited until the very last minute, and still he tried to think of ways to wait for Steven to join the troupe, arranged for him to shoot an exciting video clip, insisted on including him in the preview. Ma Zai, regardless what your future achievements maybe in China, don’t ever forget this favor from Siu Ming gor. This is also the reason, at recalling that gesture of friendship (情与义), I would not forget「建元风云」. Mrs. Tsui’s grace I also will not forget. And also Ah Ou’s…
Haha! Steven placed a crying icon next to the upload video in his weibo.