Unhappy About Being Coldly Treated, Steven Ma Angrily Dumps TVB
The trend of TVB Siu Sangs Actors and Fadans “absconding” TVB has been persisting of late. Recently, even Steven Ma (馬浚偉) was rumored to have resigned and had stopped working for TVB.
It was known that the spark of outrage started from Steven’s dissatisfaction about being coldly treated, despite raking in an impressively high rating of 40 points for the finale of his drama, The Life and Times of A Sentinel《紫禁驚雷》.
Another leading factor which led to his alleged resignation was TVB’s lack of consideration by turning down his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of starring in a Mainland grand production with a sordid cast, which could have enabled his venture into the Mainland market and brought his career to greater heights.
This caused Steven to feel dismayed and enraged enough to request TVB Production and Resource Director Virginia Lok (樂易玲) for a early release from his contract. It was known that the agitated Steven even confided bitterly in his good friend, “I am truly disheartened this time ’round!”
The trend of TVB Siu Sangs Actors and Fadans breaking away from TVB has been like a revolving door, “fleeing away” one after another.
Following the evacuation of “Stephen Chan camp” member Wong Hei (王喜) and other actors and actresses like Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Bowie Lam (林保怡), Yoyo Mung (蒙嘉慧), Bernice Liu (廖碧兒) and etc from TVB, the latest to leave was none other than another rumored “Stephen Chan camp” member, Steven Ma.
However, there were rumors that Steven’s departure from TVB was in a fit of anger and was committed due to his falling out with the boss of the TVB Artistry Department, Virginia Lok, who allegedly has always been engaged in a power struggle with Stephen Chan (陳志雲).
Steven, whose contract with TVB would only end next June, requested Virginia Lok for an early release from his contract last month, thereby officially cutting his 18 year employee ties with TVB.
Ever since joining TVB, Steven Ma’s performance has been nothing short of exceptional, specializing in periodic dramas, taking up hosting work and even singing the theme songs of his dramas, totally slogging his guts out for TVB, without any complaint.
However, despite the superb rating of “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, not a single celebratory dinner was thrown by TVB. That was officially the last straw for Steven who was still upset over the previous forfeited opportunity to “dig for gold” in the Mainland. It came as no wonder then that he finally hardened his heart and requested for a early termination of his contract from TVB.
[Caption: Virginia Lok strongly supports her “beloved generals” Michael Tse (謝天華) and Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) and attended the celebratory event of “Lives of Omission” to show her support for them]
[Caption: Despite raking in high ratings, “The Life and Times of A Sentinel” was not awarded any celebration in contrast]
Poured out one’s bitter sufferings: I am truly disheartened
Yesterday, while filming new drama, Lucky Father《當 旺爸爸》, in TVB City which was situated at Tseung Kwan O, Steven Ma carried a somber expression, looking like he was feeling down.
In the early years, Steven had already joined TVB and only “sold” himself to TVB in the form of a management contract in the year 2006, officially becoming their “biological son”. After which, Steven was mostly assigned to act in periodic dramas and was nominated in the running for TV King every year but had failed to clinch the award each time. It was thus inevitable for even an undeterred man like Steven to feel acidulous.
Apart from being unable to fulfill his dream of becoming TV King, Steven Ma has yet to have the opportunity to film a Mainland drama. Whereas his fellow acting peers like Ron Ng (吳卓羲), Bosco Wong (黃宗澤), Roger Kwok (郭晉安) and etc had the chance, one after another, to head up to the Mainland to “dig for gold” (earn the Renminbi filming fees).
It was known that a few months ago, Steven’s big break came when he was approached by Tsui Siu-Ming (徐小明) to shoot a fifty episodes ancient periodic Mainland drama, Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder《建元風雲》, together with a star-studded cast consisting of Hu Jun (胡軍), Ray Lui (呂良偉), Charmaine Sheh and etc.
Although Steven was scheduled to be a second line actor in “Yuan Empire Founder”, his scenes in there were not insignificant at all.
Furthermore, being able to participate in a CNTV (China Network Television) production was also considered to be a rare golden opportunity to any actor in the industry and especially to Steven as it would meant a threefold increase in his filming remuneration to a sum of 1.8 million RMB.
However, unexpectedly, his hopes went up in smoke when they turned down the offer for him. Upon learning about this, it was known that Steven flew into a rage and thus became the motivating factor behind the determination of an early contract dismissal.
On the other hand, Steven’s recently-concluded TVB drama, “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, hit a record high rating of 40 points [2.55 million viewers] when they broadcasted their finale early this month. This placed “Sentinel” on par with the equally highly rated TVB drama, Lives of Omission《潛行狙擊》.
Although both TVB dramas achieved remarkable ratings, their fates were as different as night and day, “Lives” was thrown a lavish and huge scale celebratory event which received massive press coverage whereas “Sentinel” was not thrown any, in comparison. It thus came as no surprise why Steven felt utterly disappointed and looked listless on the filming set of “Lucky Father”.
This devastating treatment had, no doubt, added onto his anguish over the recent rejection of the lucrative Mainland drama offer as last month, Steven allegedly took Virginia Lok by surprise when he requested for an early release from his contract, in a bid to resign as soon as possible.
According to sources, the senior management staff of TVB were severely taken aback by Steven’s request and actions as they felt that it was no laughing matter for TVB to lose such an invaluable first line actor like Steven. In a bid to make amendments and hopefully succeed in making Steven change his mind, they immediately contacted the “Yuan Empire Founder” drama team to arrange for Steven’s participation once again.
Although Steven might ultimately fulfill his wish and clinch a role in the Mainland grand production, it could be seen that Steven’s determination to terminate his contract was still ongoing as he had even revealed to his friend that he was thoroughly disheartened and apathetic this time ’round.
Termination of contract: Wait till things are clarified before discussing
[Caption: After many twists and turns, Steven Ma was finally permitted to join the cast of Mainland grand production drama, “Legend of the Yuan Empire Founder”]
Yesterday, the reporter asked Steven for clarifications on rumors that he was terminating his contract with TVB. Upon being asked over the phone, Steven’s tone sounded evasive, “I thank everyone very much for their concern lah, I did discuss with the company over some problems, the process is quite complicated, I am a little uncomfortable over some matters but it’s not convenient for me to go into details.”
With regards to rumors that he had fallen out with Virginia Lok over the turning down of the Mainland drama, Steven responded, “In any case, Hillman [Steven’s manager from the TVB Artistry Department] told me that the higher authorities said no, I am rather unhappy but they are still in the midst of handling this matter.”
Any particular person who is amongst the “higher authorities” then? Steven laughed and replied, “I really don’t know about this lah.” (Reporter: What are their reasons given to you for being unable to accept the Mainland drama?) “Company policies, I don’t know why, but they said it has to be premiered in Hong Kong first. They also said this applies to every artiste in TVB.”
When it was mentioned that “Sentinel” had no celebratory event despite raking in an impressive rating during their finale, Steven responded, “It was the company’s decision. I also wanted to celebrate it or maybe arrangements were not able to be coordinated hence there wasn’t a single form of celebration at all. Actually, after so many years, I’m already used to it.”
During a previous interview, Steven hinted of intentions to leave TVB so was he planning to leave TVB now? Steven did not rule out the possibility and replied, “My contract with TVB would be up next June. I will probably decide about it later lah. However, I must admit that I have a lot of pressing issues on my mind. I will have to wait till things are clarified before addressing everyone.”
From Steven’s previous reply, he sounded extremely disappointed with TVB, so was he? In reply to this, Steven responded, “I really love TVB. I have plenty of feelings for it. However, the company involved in too much matters, too many people, matters in the future will be decided in the future.”
Regarding rumors that Steven had requested for an early termination of his contact, Virginia Lok responded over the phone yesterday, “Really?! Wait till I seek an understanding about this matter. He (Steven) still has quite a period of time before his contract with us officially expires.”
What about rumors that Steven was displeased about how “The Life and Times of A Sentinel” was coldly treated? Virginia Lok responded, “It is not my responsibility to decide whether to celebrate or not, it is the responsibilities of the production department and the external affairs department.” (Reporter: What about the turning down of the Mainland drama?) “This information source isn’t accurate, we already helped him to accept the Mainland drama and he will be filming it next month.”
Steven Ma gives a forewarning about his startling resignation
Steven Ma also left a message on Weibo, sighing away, “Passionate as the summer heat, he rushed, only to be coldly treated and proudly appearing like the pine. Raising his head high when receiving insults from a bully who is throwing his weight about, how much longer can he withstand it?”, which clearly depicted his dissatisfaction on being coldly treated.
Despite raking in a phenomenal rating during the broadcast of the final episode of his drama, “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, on 26 August 2011, TVB did not hold any form of celebration before, during or after the broadcast of the finale.
Crestfallen, Steven and the producer of “Sentinel”, “Uncle Choi” Leung Choi-Yuen (梁材遠) have been playing a “single darting competition” over Weibo for a few consecutive days, hinting of their displeasure.
Singlehandedly release hidden arrows all over
On the broadcasting day of the finale, Uncle Choi wrote a message on Weibo, “In “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, while Nip Dor-Po [Steven Ma’s character in the show] was on the stage and undergoing the test to be an imperial bodyguard, there were hidden arrows from all sorts of places, expectedly, direct and public arrows, hidden arrows, poison arrows, sadistic arrows, arrows of malicious pursuit and arrows of unwillingness and reluctance. In the end, the archer who released these arrows would eventually disappeared. If you shoot someone today, someone will, in turn, shoot you the next day.”
Soon after Uncle Choi posted up this message on Weibo, Steven replied to him, “Haha Uncle Choi, it’s hard to safeguard against so many arrows! However, being Changshan’s Zhao Zi Long, I have a gall that can never be beaten down!” Steven later followed up with another message, “In a messed up reign with such an evil rampage on the loose, sticking by one’s principles and defending the right path till the very last breath, whether it is capable of being accomplished…I still firmly believe that good will always triumph over evil!”
On 30 August 2011, after learning that their drama, “Sentinel” has raked in an impressively high rating, Uncle Choi wrote to Steven over Weibo, “Buy and drink coffee (to celebrate) on your own.” Steven mocked in reply, “Can I drink soft drinks (to celebrate) instead?”
The next day, Uncle Choi uploaded a computer graphic of opening champagne, implying to celebrate on his own to quench his own “thirst”. Actually, last month after Steven allegedly requested for a early release from his contract, he had already hinted signs of it over Weibo, “A game. Not necessary to continue playing. If it’s worth staying then stay. If it’s time to go then go.”
Looking back in history: Four-time recipient of “My Favorite Male Television Character” award
Next month would mark the 40 year old Steven’s 18th year in the industry. Steven, who came from a singing background, turned tracks to venture into an acting career to make a name for himself.
Back in 2000, he starred in TVB classic drama, Return Of The Cuckoo《十月初五的月光》, and scored one of the main leading role as Szeto Lai-Shun, tugging at the audience’s heart strings together with Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Chilam Cheung (張智霖) and Michael Tong (唐文龍). Their love triangle relationship even managed to take Hong Kong by storm, making their series the highest rated drama of the year.
In 2001, Steven clinched the “My Most Favorite Male Television Character” with his portrayal as horse trainer Kam Yuen in TVB drama, On The Track Or Off《勇往直前》, thus securing his position as one of the lead actors in TVB.
After which, Steven won the “My Most Favorite Male Character” award three consecutive times in a row, in the year 2002 with Where The Legend Begins《洛神》, in the year 2003 with Perish In The Name of Love《帝女花》and in the year 2006 with Safe Guards《鐵 血保鏢》. However, despite his tremendous luck with the “My Most Favorite Male Television Character” award, Steven did not have any affinity with the Best Actor Award all these years.
Steven had in fact slogged his well-diversified talents out for TVB for the past 18 years, achieving a high rating of 40 points for “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, singing the theme song to it and hosting programs for TVB due to his eloquence and gift of the gab, even winning recognition for gathering high ratings for his cooking variety show, Apprentice Chef《大廚出馬》.
Steven Ma self-depreciates himself as a mommy’s boy; wants a sense of security from the company
Recently, there were rumors that Steven Ma was planning to leave his “biological home” for greener pastures. On 15 September 2011, when Steven was at a commercial radio station, he accepted a phone interview. Steven didn’t went overboard and left some leeway, “I did discuss with the company. I urge everyone to give me and TVB some time.” He even self-depreciated himself as a mommy’s boy who needs his company to give him more sense of security.
When it was mentioned that the recently-concluded “The Life and Times of A Sentinel” had received commendable ratings, Steven expressed that the producer did consider celebrating it with all the cast and crew but everyone was too busy to squeeze any time out of their hectic schedule, “I’m already very happy to see that the drama achieved such a good rating. I would already be more than satisfied even if the company only treated me to cake as a form of celebration.”
Asked whether it was true that he couldn’t get along well with Virginia Lok, Steven responded, “We don’t see each other often. We usually talk about work when we meet.”
About rumors that TVB rejected the Mainland drama for him, Steven remarked that that said drama would be starting filming next month, “I will have a share in acting the drama.” (Reporter: Will you be reluctant and unwilling to leave TVB?) “Yes, I’m a mommy’s boy in terms of work.”
Michael Tse ridicules Steven Ma for being like a kid who snatches for toys
While attending a crime-prevention activity, actor Michael Tse (謝天華) was asked about his opinions on Raymond Lam‘s (林峰) public declaration of having the confidence to fight for the TV King award with him. In reply to this, Michael felt that any actor who participated in the running for TV King would feel confident.
Other than that, there were rumors that Steven was malcontented about his TVB drama, “The Life and Times of A Sentinel”, not receiving any much-deserved accentuation and celebration despite the high rating during their finale. Asked whether Michael would call Steven up to console and ask him not to be so petty, Michael responded, “It shouldn’t be in a way such that it’s like kids fighting and snatching over toys and saying that their parents advocate favoritism.”
Source: Apple Daily, Oriental Daily, iHKtv
This article was translated by Ah K, a Contributing Writer at JayneStars.com.
Apologize for the lack of updates recently, I have been busy with the administrative paperwork for my new school term!
Thank you everyone for your patience!
Meanwhile, do enjoy this article on Steven Ma! 😀
what, Steven Ma to resign or resigned?
whats left in TVB! whats it with producers and I don’t think Investors would want TVB to loss such talent such as Ma! I would sell my shares in TVB if I were their investor and pour the money into ATV instead, but is it to late for ATV and TVB soon to follow and that HK would be stuck with Mainland channels?
I like Michael but I don’t like his response toward SM. First, SM blasted TVB, not him. Why he has to act on TVB’s behalf? Second, saying such thing in this moment shows Micheal is too confident. Michael is kinda right in some aspects but he should have better word choice.
So in the end, SM has the Mainland series? I hope it won’t make a bad habit to TVB artist, whenever they are not fulfilled their wishes, will say everything on weibo and creates something for the reporters to write.
I mean it’s kinda smart to make some noises from the weibo, but at the same time, make himself so desperate.
Maybe it has become a trend now that whoever wants to leave TVB must first rant in weibo about all their bad experiences in TVB.
weibo or media outlets
“SM has the Mainland series? I hope it won’t make a bad habit to TVB artist, whenever they are not fulfilled their wishes, will say everything on weibo and creates something for the reporters to write.”
Fox, obviously you’ve not visited Steven’s weibo else you wouldn’t have posted what you have written. I’ve translated almost all of Steven’s weibo entries, if not all. The only mention of Mainland series was at the beginning of the year when he listed his tentative schedules for the year which included the possibility of a mainland tv series. After that there was no more news of that series though he hinted several times he had several good news to impart, but what these good news were, fans never knew because Steven never mentioned them again, and he ignored all periodic queries on that series and his good news. Even when the news broke that tvb has rejected the mainland series, Steven still did not blog on it.
His only comment on it is this entry in response to Tsui Siao Ming’s weibo:
8/9 16:02 What a pity can’t collaborate this time….but, thank you!
香港徐小明 (HK Tsui Siu Ming)2:48 The fate has not arrived. Anticipating it in the future. Believe will have a chance to collaborate.
Also, unlike what was reported in the news Steven did not blast TVB for not celebrating Sentinel’s peak rating accomplishment on his blog, either. Wonder how that rumor came about, but it is certainly not from Steven weibo because like I said Steven did not blog on it.
I welcome you or others to browse his blog entries in English at my SM blog. Just click on Weibo 2011 august or sep categories to get a display of SM blog entries. http://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/
As to the “Steven Ma gives a forewarning about his startling resignation”
Bravo to Ah K for the translation of the Chinese poetry because I was unable to. Obviously Steven was in a quandary and feeling depressed at the time. Often when Steven is upset he will spout cryptic poetry to ease his pain or to spur himself out of his own wallowing. Followers of his weibo know that. Also, Steven likes to caption his pictures with snatches of poetry of all genre. But he has never critiqued anybody on his blog because believe me if he wants to criticize someone he will do it to that person’s face.
8/21 23:59 It’s not that I didn’t know, just that I didn’t want to know! Because knowing is often painful! But no matter how painful, in the end will know. Outcome, knowing is very painful; outcome, painful from knowing. 我不是不知道，只是不想去知道！因為知道，往往很痛！但再痛，終究也知道。結果，知道得很痛；結果，痛得很知道！
8/ 21 23:34 Game, not necessarily must finish it. If worthy of staying then stay, if time to go then go! Don’t imagine impossible illusion into thousands of millions of brilliant lights. You lit up the lights? Then I go turn them off? Also feel helpless! If can see then see, if can’t then never mind! Haha! Forget it!….(poem) Just saying. 游戏，不一定要玩下去。值得留就留、該要走就走！别再把不该的幻化成千万灯光艳色。你去点灯？那我去关？也感无奈！看到就看，看不到就算！哈哈，算了！【热视春夏暑赶至，冷待松竹梅傲现。昂受辱侮欺重至，再問忍受待何时。】Just saying, that’s all! Just saying, that’s all!
Since the reporter has picked the above entry, what has Steven created for him to write about? If the above news has not been leaked, what can be made of this blog entry? Everything and nothing. His entry was too cryptic then, but now someone has put it in a context. But I disagree it is a forestalling, more like it was just a release of depression, to distress himself to move forward. Those posts after that above two were cheerful and positive again.
I mean “to de-stress himself so he can move forward.”
I don’t track SM’s weibo :). My comment made due to wat said in the above article. If there is any misunderstandings on my comment, thank you for the explanation.
And if he dun care much for the Mainland series, once again, the reporters cooks the news and exaggerated it. Guess there is no fight of him and TVB?
I don’t think it’s wrong for Steven to make noise in weibo regarding the Mainland series. There’s no good reason for TVB to reject the series for him. The money is 3 times his TVB fee and he gets to act with big stars in a grand production. Good money, good experience and good exposure.
The company policy excuse is lame. Did TVB find out whether I-Cable will buy ‘Pretty Maid’ and air it in HK before TVB let Ron act in the series?
I support Steven for airing his grievance on weibo for this case because he was wronged and shortchanged. I do not see this as desperate.
” “This information source isn’t accurate, we already helped him to accept the Mainland drama and he will be filming it next month.””
BS. You only accepted the series for him after he wanted to terminate his contract early. If not, why didn’t you response earlier regarding this issue.
It seems company policy is flexible. Can change easily. So, why wait until people want to terminate contract you change?
As the management company for Steven, TVB should look out for Steven’s best interest and help improve his career, not spoil his chances.
So you think everyone should do like SM?
I think if SM goes directly to the reporters and not post on his weibo, he won’t sound desperate to me. But he says all on weibo, which he noe it’ll indirectly come to the reporters, so he is desperate.
Ranting in weibo is quite smart actually because his fans will come and support, so that when reporter saw the post reporter will also see the support from fans.
@lol: That’s why I think he is desperate. If TVB asks him, he’ll say: “It’s my weibo, my private corner, etc.” and they can’t do anything with him. If he is really ready to fight against TVB, he should go to see the reporters directly.
I feel very compelled to respond to people who find Ma Jai’s expression of emotion and frustration as desperate. (Thank you Kidd for such a well-written response also).
Steven has been with the company for 18 years, he’s let go of his career and allow TVB to manage it, however, they did not manage it with his interest first. Instead, they tried to control his popularity so they can promote other artist instead. To me, Steven is just a filler. The recognition he receives in comparison to others are almost non-existent.
At what point in voicing an opinion is not consider desperate? I viewed his outrage as – “It’s time for me to take care of my own career, I trusted the wrong person to manage it.”
Another reason I’m inclined to post this is my current position at work right now. Our company is offshoring several hundred accounting jobs. The company needs the old employee to help send this work out by preparing documentations and training. I have no problem with the company treating these foreigners who take my work as kings/queens. However, I do have a problem with the company not telling me where they will place me after this is all complete. For the past year and half, I have suppressed my outage but I’ve slowly started voicing my opinions and questioned why are the high performers still here. Reason being, very simple – they want us to continue providing the training to get the work overseas. So let’s see – when I first entered the company, they promised us rotation programs, promotions, lucrative career paths – but in the end, that all went down the drain. Am I viewed as desperate now that I want to take things into control and quit the company?
Come on guys – let’s try to understand the frustration behind the story instead of stabbing the crap out of Steven Ma as someone that’s desperate. I sure as heck isn’t desperate!
@pandamao: SM said himself earlier that he came back to TVB because he found out that working in Mainland gave him more money and more risks. He has been cheated by a company last time and he thought it would be good if he could find a company to backup and manage for him. After that, he came back to TVB and signed the management contract with them.
So he understood the risks of not having TVB as backup, then he chose them in first place.
SM has the right to raise his voice, but why in weibo? I don’t care for him to raise a voice against TVB, but he played the safe game and said in weibo, which I find smart and desperate.
For your work, do you post your comment in your own facebook or twitter or somewhere privately but your boss can see? From wat I read, you come and tell your senior or boss directly. But SM didn’t. He said in his weibo with hints and complaints, take the attention of the reporters (for sure they’ll come) and then when the articles are released, he pulls TVB to hard case. If they terminate the contract with him earlier, he’ll have more chances to say. If they are not, he has no harm. And if they tell him, he can say: “It’s my private corner”. Everyone know this, right?
And I said: If he comes directly to the reporters or TVB, he doesn’t sound like desperate.
@ Fox
Your description of his motive doesn’t make him seem desperate. It only makes him seem smart, even cunning, but not desperate. lol
What I said about desperate because he dun dare to fight against TVB directly! So it he chose a safe game on weibo. Like he has no other way to do and have to say it in the last place: weibo.
which makes him smart since the knows his strenght and weaknesses aand that of his enemies.
“To me, Steven is just a filler. The recognition he receives in comparison to others are almost non-existent.”
He did receive awards b4, is that count as an recognition? I don’t feel that raising his voice on weibo like that is a smart thing to do if he does not want to leave TVB at the moment. What did he want to show TVB? His fan powers? I do not think they really care. What they care is that is it profitable to put money on him.
“SM has the right to raise his voice, but why in weibo? I don’t care for him to raise a voice against TVB, but he played the safe game and said in weibo, which I find smart and desperate.”
Fox, as I have said in my other post, Steven did not said anything on that matter in his weibo. Where did you get the idea from? It wasn’t in the above article at all. That cryptic weibo entry. It could mean anything and nothing. Also in the very start of his weibo, Steven warned his readers not to take his entries literary because he said sometimes a picture or some incidents he saw or read will make him write what he wrote not because he personally experienced them because because they made him feel or think. That’s all. So us regulars have learn not to take his poetic expression too literally. We know if Steven wants to tell his readers he will in due time, otherwise, we let him be.
Anh now what is he waiting for? Being frozen?
Now someone has prematurely leaked it for him complete with all the negativity. What should haven been good news for him to share with fans is now shrouded in negativity.
Interestingly, originally it was reported that Steven’s fee in the series was 2mil now it has dropped to 1.5 mil. Wonder if he still get the same role or not? And why was the offer rejected in the first place whereas now it is accepted.
In the latest report, Steven said he thought that was that with the series after sending in his regrets to Tsui Shi Ming for rejecting his offer. But Tsui refused to take no for an answer and kept urging Steven to put his foot down on this matter, so Steven went back and forth with Ms. Virginia but she wouldn’t budge. So that got Steven really thinking and I guess hences his weibo entries. He saw no light in the tunnel so went for broke with his request to terminate his contract. He did not blackmail tvb with his request for his role in mainland series, he truly want out. If not for other higher management (exl. Lok) to look into the matter of the mainland series, it would be gone for sure.
read all about it in this link
直認與樂易玲「緣薄」 馬浚偉剖白請辭無綫因由
http://www.ihktv.com/mingpaoweekly-2236-stevenma.html
tvb treats people like s***. people arejust a commodity to them to be milked dry, frozen or disposed out as the devil likes.
well done steven for wrestling your way out of the gates of hell
This makes me wonder if there’s really any animosity between Virginia and Steven. There’s always news of Virginia sabotaging Steven or saying negative thing about him (exp: him unable to ‘enter house’).
Why Virginia keep on rejecting his request? If she’s really just following company’s policy, why when other high executives look into the matter, they allow Steven to accept the job? What about Ron’s ‘pretty maid’? Do they have control on when I-Cable will air the series (as to follow the ‘mainland series must premier in HK first’ policy?
@Fox: “What I said about desperate because he dun dare to fight against TVB directly! So it he chose a safe game on weibo. Like he has no other way to do and have to say it in the last place: weibo.”
How do you know he didn’t fight against TVB? Actually, he did behind the scenes, just not on weibo, like you said. And he did not play a safe game, he requested an early termination of his contract. That is no safe game. Shouldn’t all these artist-executive meetings be confidential, how did the press get hold of it?
620 is really something pushing out one artist after one out of tvb.
One question:Why the reporters know SM want to terminate the contract sooner?
@exoidus: These artists are not from her party.
@kidd: About Steven and Ms. Lok’s relationship read what Tsui Yong Yong (Steven’s ex manager) wrote in her weibo.
Haha! Steven’s former manager, Tsui Yong Yong is on a warpath complete with warpaint and a tomahawk. Watch out, Virginia Lok. You go, Auntie Tsui.
Reposting a few here.
花了半年時間為他接一件工作，最後不足一小時便推了。推的不只是錢，是一個人未來十年的事業黃金機會。心灰意冷，走之哉！令我走的不是他，是她。
Used up half a year to get him this job, but was rejected within less than an hour. Rejected not just money but also a person’s golden opportunity for his future career in the next ten years. Disheartened! (I)Left! Making me leave is not him, it’s her!
為怕害了他，我在苦別後從未對外言及原因。有人竟把他事業緩進之責推到我身上，全番話今日會見諸文章中。士可忍孰不可忍。我也有娘生，有口言，屈我？
這六年，兩個人相携相扶，走過多少受盡欺凌的日子，今日喜見初晴，內心是悲是喜？真難細描細述。欺人者理應撫心自問，為何要狠惡如斯。太過份了，不反抗怎行？
Whoa this former manager of Steven is braver and directly point at Lok. She didn’t say names but everyone know it’s 620, right? 😀
Posted on behalf of @exoidus:
“Submitted on 2011/09/17 at 11:01 am | In reply to @Kidd.
tvb doesn’t treat people well. people are just a commodity to them to be milked dry, frozen or disposed out as the devil likes.
well done steven for wrestling your way out of the gates of hell”
Hi @exoidus,
Sorry about the slight edit in your word because the system caught one of the words used as a swear word and Jayne is currently away on holiday so I’m not too sure whether that word is allowed here hence I hope you don’t mind that I have made some minor amendments to that said word!
Thank you for your patience in the meantime! 😀
@pandamao:
Totally get what you mean especially because foreign talent is quite a serious issue in my country too.
We get treated like second class citizens (even in our own home country) sometimes with the addition of some caucasians, jobs are mainly outsourced to them too before considering about the jobless locals.
But of course like there’s two sides to every coin, this policy also has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages being the above reasons while advantages are that it is necessary to seek foreign talent to attract the MNCs (Multi-National Companies) over and to create more jobs. But well, it would still clearly place us at a disadvantage as the disadvantages would eventually outweigh the advantages in the long term.
As such, like you, I totally empathize with Steven. When a company doesn’t even put your interest above their office politics and commercially-run interests and you see no prospect of being promoted any further, is it still worth staying and toiling hard for some company that doesn’t reward or appreciate your efforts?
@claimine:
“read all about it in this link
直認與樂易玲「緣薄」 馬浚偉剖白請辭無綫因由
http://www.ihktv.com/mingpaoweekly-2236-stevenma.html”
Thank you for your link! 🙂
Will definitely translate it if time forbids! 😀
@Fox
I guess we have a disagreement here. You felt his method was desperate versus I feel expressing an opinion, under any means, is not desperate.
I only confided to good co-workers but unfortunately, information leaks …
you can think it’s an act of desperate, only makes me think of the situation at a state where few things can be done to resolve the animosity.
@pandamao: Ask your good co-workers and dun tell them next time, unless you also want the info to come to the boss through them.
50 episodes
co-produced by 由内蒙古仕奇集团有限公司、北京阳光盛通文化艺术有限公司、海南省电影电视制作中心, 博纳国际影业集团联手打造的
@clamine: Wrong convo ah :P.
BTW, so this one isn’t a production invested by CCTV. Maybe they buy timeslot in CCTV.
50 eps? let’s hope China’s art and performing deparment won’t give them legal lawsuit because the new rule in China: None of series can be over 40 eps, except the ones adapted from 4 big novels.
@Fox: And if he dun care much for the Mainland series, once again, the reporters cooks the news and exaggerated it.
Of course Steven cares a lot about that mainland series. That was his biggest and happiest news he most wanted to share in due time. But due time never came because he had no good news to impart.
But again he kept the peace in his blog. No word of it in there except for cryptic entries long after their posting.
Now he has it, he can feel happy.
It is like not saying anything about something so dear to you for fear of jinxing it. The mainland series was/is very dear to Steven, every now and then, he would say I have good news to share but can’t now because it has not been finalized. But don’t know when he stopped saying that despite repeated queries from his readers. Guess there was nothing to tell since nothing came out of it.
happy? when he had to fight so hard for it when it would’ve been so much easier if tvb accepted it in the first place.
also perhaps its another role and decrease in fees.
@exoidus: If he isn’t happy, you think he’ll feel unhappy?
If there is an decrease of the fee, it’s from the decision of the invested company for this series, not TVB, right?
isn’t happy does not automatically imply unhappiness.
depends, maybe due to the rejection in the first place steven might have gotten another role which pays less. either way this was indirectly caused by tvb
@Fox: The happiness is greatly tempered leaving a taste of bitterness in his mouth. Why all those obstacles in between before the acceptance? Not to mention acrimony caused by the whole incident. If not for Tsui Siao Ming support of him, Steven would have lost this golden opportunity. Remember this series will be aired on cctv.
Since Steven finally get to film the mainland series and will get his freedom from TVB, I assume it’s a happy ending for Steven.
@claimine: You shouldn’t feel happy too soon for the series :). DOL is also aired on CCTV and nothing happen to the cast. DOL’s acting is even good in CCTV, higher than the CCTV’s HK sisters.
This one might be a golden chance, might be not. Fact is, the series aired on HunanTV often be loved and push the artists farer.
@exoidus: The fee isn’t paid for role, my dear. The fee is paid for the name of the artist. Someone can appear just few mins in a series and still has good paid, example is Ruby Lin in the new Huan Zhou Ge Ge.
@Fox I agree with you. HunanTV is more guarantee for popularity and pushing stars. Mainland netizens don’t really care for CCTV series but a HunanTV series will get popular and making not just the main actor but supporting cast popular too. If want to make a name in mainland, pick a series that will air in Hunantv is much better.
Myolie mainland series might be aired in CCTV8 end of this year and I don’t have any expectation because it’s CCTV. Mainland youngsters don’t give a damn about CCTV dramas and this won’t guarantee the actors any climb to stardom.
@Fox: I don’t know about my being happy, did I sound happy? Actually I was more incredulous at all that drama than being happy, that’s all.
“This one might be a golden chance, might be not.”
Golden chance does not mean just rating and increase in popularity. Golden chance to me is the golden opportunity for Steven to work with A listed actors working in a high profile, high budget series, while absorbing new experiences, and exposing himself to mainland producers and tv viewers. But most of all, Steven has several mentioned that he loves portraying historical characters more than any other roles, and this role is just up his alley.
“Remember this series will be aired on cctv.”
Because you said this, I thought you are think the series is aired CCTV means it’s important.
“A listed actors”
This one has Hu Jun and Charmaine, who else?
Yes, lol is right. If wanna step into the stardom of China, the best way is through a high rating series in HunanTV. Even dun need high rating, just a series liked in this one. Look at the new cast of Boys over flower or Huan Zhou Ge Ge or William Feng and Yang Mi after Gong, you will see the power of HunanTV. It’s also the fastest way to become famous in China. Kevin Cheng is having this opportunity with Bu Bu Jing Xin.
Yes Kevin is right in front of this opportunity now. Hunantv is watched by millions of young audience whether by TV or online. They use internet and make these series popular fast especially if the series has many good looking men and women. Yang Mi now got move on to movies already after her breakthrough in Gong.
CCTV I heard not popular among mainland youth and hard for CCTV series to be hit and make stars breakthrough. This is why I have little expectation for Myo’s upcoming CCTV series.
CCTV is for the serious series which is followed by mostly 40-60 ppl. Having a series on CCTV means this series is serious and won’t have the love of the young ppl, who mostly watch HunanTV.
Gong is definitely a so-so series, but it can capture the attention of young ppl, so its cast become famous.
Yes now having 40-60 age audience means disadvantage because the younger audience are the one making a series and the cast popular when they watch and discuss in weibo and forums.
No one know what will happen until the series is aired. No 100% guarantee. But, to be denied the chance to even try is wrong.
Not participate in the series – 0% chance
Participate in the series – more than 0% chance
No point arguing about the merit of CCTV. The main issue here ius his chance was rejected and destroyed. Don’t tell me Virginia did it from the goodness of her heart. She, like Fox and lol, think HunanTV is more popular than CCTV. So, she rejected the offer for Steven’s own good.
@kidd:plz read my posts. I refer to a quote of clamine which make me think that she think airing on cctv is important and honor, as well as a very good chance. It’s a fact that young chinese don’t watch cctv. They think it’s too serious. That’s why even the series is very well liked, cctv audience won’t go online much and make it becomes a hot topic, means the ppl in this series won’t be talked and gained a large fanbase in the youngster. The housewives also dun watch cctv. Mostly are office ppl.
I don’t care how 620 view. SM isn’t from her party so I doubt she wants him all the best like she said. Ask Catherine or SC why they treat SM this way.
And other than Hu Jun, SM will be able to work with who for this one? Anyone plz tell me. I only know Hu Jun and Charmaine will be in this one.
Yes as Fox said the whole CCTV vs Hunantv discussion isn’t related to 620 but is more for probability of getting popular in mainland. CCTV won’t get a star famous and increase their exposure in mainland tenfold the way Hunantv made Yangmi and FSF simply because the young audience don’t watch and don’t make CCTV series an online phenomenon.
@ Fox
“. I refer to a quote of clamine which make me think that she think airing on cctv is important and honor, as well as a very good chance.”
So, it’s still a good chance. Older audience is still audience.
Why need to put CCTV down like it’s completely worthless? Why need to put down the series and the rest of the cast? To make Steven’s grievances look like much ado about nothing?
Seriously, why you don’t understand Kidd? I dun mention of good or bad chance, I’m mentioning that being aired in cctv is a disadvantages for gaining fame in China, not something to feel happy. Every chance can turn to a good chance and a bad chance.
I dun put down the cast or cctv, I’m asking for who in the cast! I only know Hu Jun and Charmaine will be in it, I’m asking for who else? Put down on cctv? It’s a fact that young ppl dun watch cctv, so the series can’t rocket the popularity of the artists, unless it’s re-aired in a more entertaining channel.
Yes, CCTV series might not be as hyped or eye candy than eye candy filled series aired in regional channel, like HunanTV. But it is a honor for an actor/actress to take part in mainstream genre series (those CCTV produced) because it’s viewed as serious, high quality and recognized acting. Perhaps the series will not fit the taste across all audiences, particularly younger generation that make up most the the netizens, but ask general consensus and they still regard CCTV series status/class is higher.
If you are looking for hype and popularity among younger generation (but also short term, you are forgotten the next eye candy series is released), then you can film those series like Palace, Bu Bu Jing Xin, Scheming Beauty etc. Guarantee you will be hotly discussed online, offer for these kind of series is so many, even TVB stars like Ron, Raymond, Myolie, Fala have their fare share of script offering every month. Once successful you can see the effect/reward quickly. But like I said, very short lived like maybe 1 yr, max.
If given the chance to appear in mainstream genre on CCTV, you think any of the Bu Bu Jing Xin actor/actress will not grab at the opportunity? I heard of many stars declining popular series oftenly, but how many you heard declining offer in CCTV series?
@sehseh: Yeah, I’m talking about this quick fame. But not 1 year at max like you said :). Once they are famous, they will do similar stuffs and jump to high steps very fast. Take Yang Mi as example, how many ppl rmb her for her old CCTV roles? She acted in few CCTV series that I dun rmb name but her name is only exposed after Gong – a series on HunanTV. Now she jumped to a higher level and just stay there. Or the new cast of China Boys over flower. The young girl Zheng Shuang suddenly becomes famous now in China and having a lot of offers. It’s the quick fame.
Moreover, what timeslot the series will be aired? CCTV8 is a channel for TV series, 24/7.
So I said, this series might be a golden chance for SM to have fame in China, maybe not. Being aired in CCTV is a disadvantage for him if he wanna have quick fame. But of course, if consider it as a chance to work with other ppl, it’s a golden chance.
Liu Shi Shi appeared in a CCTV series :). Nicky also has one with Su Chang.
Fox, I’m not asking whether Bu Bu Jing Xin cast have acted in CCTV series before. I asked, will any of the Bu Bu Jing Xin star decline to act in CCTV series, compared to declining popular series script (that come in dozens)?
Nicky has been acting in Mainland China drama for years. When he was famous (as Taiwanese pop group), LSS is just a little kid. He already established himself in Mainland China. If he is given opportunity to portray leading role in CCTV series in the future, would he reject easily? Chances is a big NO.
Sure, Yang Mi was famous because the series she acted in past 1-2 years is very popular ie Palace and Scheming Beauty. But now she is not the hottest topic in town anymore (not that she is not popular, but her hype is losing steam), it’s LSS because of BBJX. How long was Palace? More less a year only? And William Feng? Now it’s BBJX princes such as Kevin Cheng, Yuan Hong, Liu Geng Xin.
Yang Mi is still the hot topic, for her plastic surgery rumour and the new movie. William Feng now has chance in the big new movie. So Gong isn’t talked but their career jumped to a new stage thank to Gong, it’s a fact.
In Gong 2, they becomes supporting to cameos and Mickey He becomes lead.
@ Fox: “Now he has it, he can feel happy.”
Eileen Cha asked Steven this same question too. There was a pregnant pause before Steven said without much emotion:”Yes, happy..” however the unspoken “BUT” was quite palpable, at least to me. At this moment when his voice should be filled with joy, it was surprisingly flat.
Just like this weibo entry from Tsui yong yong: 今日喜見初晴，內心是悲是喜？真難細描細述。
Today happy to see the beginning of clear (weather), the heart is sad or happy? Truly difficult to describe.
I guess Tsui’s entry describes precisely Steven’s present feelings. Sad why all these unpleasant happenings that forced his hands. Steven has reiterates many times that he truly loves TVB this organization, because he has so many good friends there, and it is his 2nd home. So he had tussled over his decision, a very painful decision judging from his “no matter how it turns out, the outcome is painful.” So to use happy is to truly an inappropriate word to describe his mood.
From previous news reports, he had wished to sign up a per series contract with TVB but with all this hoopla, guess it’s not possible now.
So yeah, not happy but less unhappy, that’s all.
Actually I agree with both Fox and sehseh concerning cctv. To get quick fame go to Hunan tv (Fox) and @ sehseh that “ccv is viewed as serious, high quality and recognized acting…not fit the taste across all audiences, particularly younger generation that make up most the the netizens, but ask general consensus and they still regard CCTV series status/class is higher.”
And I do know that Hunan tv is where an artist can get overnight fame but to me, like sehseh, I view it is an honor and a golden opportunity for actors to act in a CCTV series, in that “golden opportunity” may not include instant fame but includes lots more for actors like Steven who has such passion for epic historical dramas. Occasionally, Steven would post a weibo entry extolling certain Mainland series generating a lively discussion with readers. In one lengthy discussion, they even discussed The Classic of History (书经), which is of course beyond my comprehension.
Steven has said that the minute he dons his period costume and his hairpiece he steps right into that period. His blood is stirred, and his character simply takes over him. This is also guy who despite his tight schedules took up a 2 year online Chinese Ancient History course out of self interest and also in hopes that with his gained knowledge he can become a better ancient drama actor. Add that to his initiative to learn Peking Opera mannerisms for his Cao Zi in WTLB, and in recent years has also taken up lessons in Cantonese opera singing. Know that the fees to these kind of lessons are not cheap but he considered that as an investment in his career. Besides the self improvements, Steven is also a member of an exclusive HK Poetry Club, whose members still meet occasionally because of his love for poetry and literature. So yeah, not all actors aimed for fame and popularity, though of course that will be icing on the cake, but some like Steven aims for constant self-growth in his craft and to indulge in his passion for the arts.
So, to be given the opportunity to act in this serious historical series is truly a golden opportunity for him. He has stated that he most wish to portray historical figures, top of his list are: Xu Zhimou, Lu Xun, Zhuge Liang, Sun Yat Sen,etc besides the most desired villain role.
@Fox, I may be presumptuous when I said A list actors, I assume with such big budget cctv series, the producers will not stint on the cast. But to answer your question, the cast include Hun Jun (Kublai Khan) Charmaine Sheh (KK’s wife) Ray Lui (Tuo Lei) Tang Guoqiang (Ghenghis Khan) and now there is Steven (Liu Bingzhong (劉秉忠)aka Liu Kan (劉侃), KK’s counselor)
It’s like BBC produced series I suppose, more on status and quality and less about ratings. Or NHK as opposed to FujiTV. Of course an honour. You wish to raise your credibility as an actor you go act in CCTV. The thing is you must be at least famous before you’re invited to act in such series. And to be famous you have to act in popular series. I believe whatever the production, both goes hand in hand.
Tang Guoqiang is my fave. Hu Jun as Kublai Khan is a very good cast because he can look wild and strong. Can act the sand man. I’m fond of watching Tang Guoqiang the most.
I don’t think any artist dun aim fame at first, because if not, they didn’t choose the actor life :). Just that they have other habits or not.
The thing is you must be at least famous before you’re invited to act in such series. And to be famous you have to act in popular series.
It’s different in Chinese series :P. The Chinese investing media company like to use new faces. Like Yang Mi, she wasn’t that famous when she is first appeared in the CCTV as main lead :P. Or Feng Shao Feng was only a model and have few small roles but still can be in a CCTV series.
I think ppl has a misunderstanding in here. Be aired on CCTV is different to CCTV investment. CCTV has some investment on series but not all of series on CCTV8 (channel for TV series) are their investments. And also depends on the airing time. If it’s in early morning or 2-3 PM timeslot or at late night, means CCTV doesn’t bother it much. I say in general, not the series SM acts in.
China series airs 3 eps per day.
@Fox: I don’t think any artist dun aim fame at first, because if not, they didn’t choose the actor life . Just that they have other habits or not.
My bad, I need to rephrase my wording, “So yeah, not all actors necessarily aimed for fame and popularity when picking out a series and a role to act in”, admittedly at the end of day, they need a certain level of fame and popularity to propel their careers forward.
I guess I need a crash course on cctv. The series will premier in prime time next year on cctv1. What do you know of cctv1?
CCTV1? It’s a general channel, have entertainment, have news, have sport, have shows etc. It is available to both cable and terrestrial television viewers.
Not CCTV8 har?
Steven said cctv1 in his print interview.
How big is a 150 mil yuan production? Haha! I’m quite new to all these grand production series since Steven has never been in one. How much does TVB usually spend on its grand productions?
Don’t know how accurate the info is?
150 mil yuen, right? It is quite big. 40 eps, I guess?
TVB is stingy, don’t ask for them, lol. But they spent 1 billion for DOL, it’s the biggest money investment I heard from them.
1 billion? What did TVB spend on in that series?
When I read so, I asked the same question :P. The series doesn’t have anything luxurious. Plane tickets to Beijing, HK and Canada also can’t be that expensive. Clothes are mostly artists’. The cars can borrow from a real assemble factory.
So we have the right to doubt that stingy TVB is lied.
This has turned into a fight between Michael and Steven supporters now online.
Both Michael and Steven got their rights and wrongs in this battle.
Steven is lacking something onscreen. I think its his charisma. He’s a decent actor but most of the time he’s just using the same formulas of acting in all his series and made him a boring actor. He also can be overdramatic in his emotional and ‘I’m so righteous’ scenes.
Why is Steven complaining about TLOAS not having a celebration? TLOAS isn’t well received by the public compared to LOO. Steven has right to be mad for TVB cancelling his mainland series without notice but it’s quite petty to be jealous at LOO getting a celebration. LOO is a very popular series.
LOO is a very popular series because they received the promotional efforts behind it. TLOAS received 40 pts, that’s public recognition. The company is not obligated to reward anyone but I see a problem rewarding LOO so excessively and so minimally to TLOAS as a big issue!
This one actually Michael is just saying the right things although I myself don’t like the way he speak about it. The news said Steven is dissatisfied about TLOAS not getting any celebration for the peak that is the same as LOO, but LOO is truly a big hit consistently and not just the peak. TVB celebrated LOO’s hit success among ratings, netizens and also myTV. It can be argued that TVB gives LOO promotional efforts but the results is very good and LOO is indeed a big hit so far. It makes sense for TVB to celebrate LOO and not TLOAS imo. TVB also admit that the celebration is also to serve as marketing purpose for the next Laughing movie. I
that is very fact SM is lacking something onscreen, acting plain and dull.
TLOAS is not a good drama , althought with 40 pts at the end (2 episode only)
it does not mean ,it is a good drama
Because he acts the same type of roles for the same producer Leung Choi Yuen for too many series.
I am on Michael’s side. He limited his criticisms to what the company do and didn’t do, much like Felix did. Michael’s response depends on how he said it. I believe words are harsher than his actual way of delivery because no one can be so ungracious towards a fellow colleague. Be that as it may, I find Michael’s response verging on personal attack. That is uncalled for.
I meant Steven.
Michael Tse has low EQ. Is he getting bid headed now after all this popularity? Why am I getting the vibe that Laughing and Michael have morphed into one now? Michael is right that LOO justified the celebrations because of the popularity from multiple channels and sources and not just one peak ratings but the way he said it was a bit too taunting and too confident?
lol, seems he have become a jerk and his acting is not superb in my opinion. besided he starts to resemble a frankentein or a low class vampire haha
Yup – not liking him after this. Fool should mind his own business. His life has nothing to do with others.
Trying to get some brownie pts from 620. Go ahead and do that, but don’t diss another person’s opinion!
@Funn Lim:”I am on Michael’s side.”
Do you mind to write Steven’s side instead?
I meant “mean” not “mind”.
Did I? Yes I meant Steven.
I don’t know whether Steven expressed his dismay in Weibo but I did watch the interview of MT. It is not right for him to criticize Steven if he is unclear of the news. Even if he know, what the right for hom to do so? He should just say no comment like what Bobby did. Maybe he want to polish TVB shoe.
That Michael Kid is a joke. I used to like him in Virtues of Harmony, but i can’t seem to see him as a lead actor.Doesn’t have the looks, and acting is whatever.
Although I’m not SM’s fan,but i thought his acting was superb in some movies. He may not be the best looking ones, but his acting is convincing (at least to me).
way to go steven, leave “hell” while you still have the power to do so and never sell your soul to the devil.
guess i have to start watching mainland series only when linda and ruco leave for “heaven” as well 🙂
Ruco Chan has just signed a 11 years contract with Hell =]], he can’t leave that soon. Moreover, his popularity rocketed after he went to hell, so he must be a fool to leave it now.
ofcourse not his career is just taking of his after selling his soul to the devil. however sooner of later he will battle out of hell LOL
Look to see. I dun think your Linda has any fight yet. Until now, she is still SUPER obedient to the hell :P.
haha, give me a break you make me sound like a crazy fan or something.
well the devil has been nice and supportive toward her, but i can imagine her leaving as when her contract expires.
When her contract expires, she’ll sign a new one. You can wait to see.
You know sometimes, you contradict with yourself because your beloved Linda is very loyal toward TVB. And being honest, I dun think she can go out of TVB at this moment. She hasn’t up to this level yet.
As for Ruco, from ATV to TVB, it’s a big jump to him. Why he has to sign a slave contract of 11 years with TVB? Because he knows he has to sell his soul if he want the fame.
how im i contradicting myself???
You don’t see that?
tbh no plz explain it to me!
@exoidus
Why don’t you just wish that Ruco can make the hell become a more heavenly place? ROFL
with his pure heart and spirit the son of the devil will make hell a better place.
Pure heart, I’m laughing, exoidus.
Michael must forget that one of his series Relic is the second lowest rating in 2011. So to talk about the rating, he also has low and high.
What is Laughing MT smoking. He’s a fool for giving that kind of response to the press.
As for SM, his place is easily replaceable by Ruco Chan or Raymond Wong who are both better actors and better looking than him. Steven acting are old fashioned and stagnant and he’s always overshadowed by supporting actors or 2nd,3rd leads when he play FIRST lead. It’s time for Ruco’s brand of acting.
If the whole HK felt the way you did, then yes – Steven should hush and move on. Fortunately, a pretty good chunk of HK shares the same view as I. He’s often recognize in his work, see citations in above article.
There’s room for more than just Ruco Chan, Vivien. If Ruco Chan can carry an ancient series, a cooking show, a theme song, and etc. the way Steven has, please replace Steven so he can move in.
Ruco acted well in 1 series … there’s a long road ahead of him. Ruco, despite the fans support, please don’t turn into a Michael Tse and speak nonsense to support 620.
Oh btw Vivien, looks are in the eye of a beholder, and as I recall – actors don’t have to be good looking.
Anthony Wong – not hot.
Eric Tsang – not hot.
Lam Suet – not hot.
Calm down girl. Ruco Chan and Raymond Wong can’t carry the whole TVB.
Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Lam Suet are not hot but they use their stronghold in look for acting. Wong Cho Lam is their successor. So actually dun need to look good to be famous. The special points are more important. It’s something to make an artists stand out.
In fact, nobody is irreplacable. The cooking show, SM dun do, will have someone do. Ancient series, SM dun act, will have someone act. A themesong, SM dun sing, will have someone sing. Ruco Chan and Raymond Wong can’t carry the whole TVB and same to SM. It’s just the matter of time. It’s not like without SM, TVB will be ruined.
sure anyone is replaceable however the hell is already filled with evil souls that are not worth much to the devil. by losing one of the purest souls there is sure hell is losing to suffer.
since the devil loves plastic ray so much he should clone ray i.e. make ray play the whole cast hehe…
Again, your Linda is very obedient to the devil and she happily sold her soul with a long contract, lol. So she is now a part of devil? Oops, she is even called devil’s god daughter.
LOL, are you trying to tick me off? unfortunately im not a crazy fan like somebody here are.
well your beloved bosco is no better 🙂
@Fox – I’m not sure what you are trying to imply in your post but if you misinterpret it as me thinking Steven can carry TVB then i’ll have to edit my post so that message does not confuse anyone else.
TVB won’t be ruined by any particular individual leaving but things sure won’t be as sunny after certain individuals leaving. We may disagree on who those individuals are, which is fine.
Talking about plastic and Linda, I rmb reading some years ago that Linda did a nose job. However I din believe it coz if she really did, than it would be a failed surgery LOL
unfortunately im not a crazy fan like somebody here are.
What are you talking about? It’s definitely a very shock news! You are not a crazy fan of Linda? OMG! Are you exoidus? After Veejay now you are stolen email?
Hehe, kidding.
Still when Bosco becomes my beloved? But yeah, Bosco also signed contract with TVB for 11 years, like your beloved Ruco :P. Different is Bosco is 3 years younger so his contract will end sooner than Ruco. Ruco is 45 when his contract ends, and this time he might become second Kevin Cheng.
TVB won’t be ruined by any particular individual leaving but things sure won’t be as sunny after certain individuals leaving. We may disagree on who those individuals are, which is fine.
During 1999-2000 time, most of TVB’s main lead actors left TVB, including Louis Koo, Roger Kwok, Bobby Au Yeung, Gallen Lo, Chilam, etc. heading to China and then they still can find someone to replace, and that’s proved a fact nobody is irreplacable.
bosco is not? guess im not the only here having my identity stolen 🙂
@pandamao
1 series? For tvb. Are you forgetting that he’s been an actor for a long time too. Ruco is NOT a newbie. Just because he’s new to tvb that doesn’t mean he’s any less of an actor than Steven Ma. Have you heard the dude sing? He can send SM home cold.
I like both Steven and Ruco. But some people here seem to think that Ruco is a newbie to the industry just on the premise that he’s getting popular….weird.
@ping – I was referring to his sudden stardom off of 1 series at TVB, nothing about his acting abilities.
I never consider him as a newbie or anything. Like you, I am also a fan of his but I do also realize he just suddenly received this recognition. Vivien made reference to kicking Steven Ma because there are better actors, Ruco (cited example). I do not agree with Vivien’s assessment that Steven is easily replaceable mainly because Ruco has not proven long term success at TVB yet.
@ ping
Pandamao did not think Ruco is a newbie. It is a fact that Ruco shot into sudden stardom after ‘The Truth’.
“Have you heard the dude sing? He can send SM home cold.”
Ruco and Steven both sing well. No need to push down Steven just to show pandamao that Ruco is great/experience/talented/not a newbie.
I like Ruco Chan. Has like him since ATV days. But, after The Truth, many people here (e.g. Vivien) make Ruco out to be God, like he’s the greatest thing since slice bread and he can replace anyone and be the top in TVB.
Ruco was in Ghost Writer with Steven and he didn’t overshadow Steven . Neither did Raymond Wong overshadowed Steven in the dog series. It depends on the role given.
See if Ruco is given Keith’s clones to act all the time people will get tired of him and say he’s boring and always act the same or not.
@exoidus:ask vivien. She sent me an invitstion to anti Bosco club but I didn’t join b/c I dun hste Bosco enough. I feel weird, if you mention of Ron I think more reasonable. Or even Joe Ma or Joel Chan but Bosco? I even said more good words on Michael Tse.
@exoidus
Nope fox dont like Bosco.
@pandamao
calm down. That’s just what I think and I know some people such as you will think otherwise. It’s your right.
Agreed @fox. nobody irreplaceable. Agreed too that Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Lam Suet are some people with unique space in their acting. To me S. Ma is just another TVB artiste who take many leading roles but nothing special about his acting.
but it was only after Fox got squashed like a bug by bosco lol
@Vivien
Stating an opinion is fine but when your words are so strong and rough to a certain artist, you are asking for the rudeness in return.
Try to avoid stating your opinion like the ruler for all righteous. Like Kidd referenced, you made Ruco out like a God and guess what – you offended me despite my personal liking of Ruco also!
“Ruco was in Ghost Writer with Steven and he didn’t overshadow Steven . Neither did Raymond Wong overshadowed Steven in the dog series. It depends on the role given.”
Oh hate ruco in that series! I mean his acting is ok. BUt it is funny; slap a glasses onto his face, put him in a suit and now he is a heartthrob!
But yeah, acting ok in Ghost Writer.
But I don’t see how Ruco or Raymond can be true leads; as in they alone carry a series. Not yet. Steven on the other hand proved that he could, even if his acting is debatable. But he was rather good in Ghost Writer, I like the scenes between him and Ruco, he is best at scenes of conflict.
I like Steven Ma in the past. I remember that my impression of him in the past is always this gentlemanly, scholarly guy, with a bright, sunny smile. The doctor, lawyer characters he portrayed seemed well educated, gentlemanly, down to earth, like decent girls, has integrity, is optimistic, positive and puts one at ease.
He was also good looking although his face is a bit pale and I would have liked him to be more “macho”, tanned and athletic. That was my only complaint.
He also looks good in the period dramas where he inhabits the role of the upright hero.
However in the recent series, I noticed that he looks physically quite bad. His face seems old and tired, and he is not boyish and sunny anymore. His eye bags are sagging, his chin as well, and his eyes are blood shot.
Same route as Wong Hei… Is it age or unhappiness at their current company…
Sigh, poor guys and gals… That’s why showbiz is cruel business… :-)kekeke
@ Canto
“I noticed that he looks physically quite bad. His face seems old and tired, and he is not boyish and sunny anymore. His eye bags are sagging, his chin as well, and his eyes are blood shot.”
With so many grievances and unhappiness, it’s hard to be sunny. He’s already 40, so, hard to be boyish too.
I think both unhappiness and age contribute to his condition.
vivien is actually right. Nobody is irreplaceable. When someone goes out, TVB will pick another person and promote to stardom. It might not just be Ruco but Ruco comes to many people’s mind because he signed a long contract with TVB.
It’s quite true too that Steven is often the main lead but many times he don’t really shine. In TGC2 Wayne tramples all over him. In SITS Raymond Wong steals the show. In GW Fala took over the series. In 7DIL Bosco’s presence is more felt. In TLOAS Kenneth has a more interesting character.
I think Michael is thinking way up in his head to talk like he already won the TV King. It was not nice. No need to create a fight with Steven. He was only voicing his dissatisfaction toward the company.
I think it is great that Steven is voicing his dissatisfaction or else Ms. Lok will not be scared and try to fix the problem and get the mainland drama for him. We never know if the other executives might not want to lose a first line actor like Steven.
I have one question, back then TVB only has “My Most Favorite Male Television Character” but now they added the Best Actor (TV King) award ?????????
Actually the name changed several time but Best Actor always have from 1997. The top 10 most fave chac appeared in 2000, disappear in 2005. Best on-screen couple also disappear in the same year.
I realized Steven was in “My Top 12 Favourite Television Characters” for those dramas the article mentioned. The Best Actor/Actress award used to be called “My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role”.
Now it’s still be called the similar way.
The Best Actor Award used to be called ‘My Favourite Actor’ award.
Why dont they just stick to the Most Fav Actor/Actress award? ROFL
i think people view sm as desperate is incorrect, posting what they feel isnt desperate. it maybe be that steven had no one to talk to so he use weibo to just pour his feeling out and feel better.
WHY turn down such a great opportunity to work on a drama with such high potential? I understand Steven’s fury! Steven’s actually been one of the more patient ones. He’s been in TVB for many years… he deserves a big break.
There was time he is off TVB to China and then cone back. This.might be the second time.
Recent years, from the 90s to now, I dun think there is any tvb artist who is too sucessful in China. Sammul Chan maybe? Or Hawick Lau? But they are not really big names or hot names. Hmm. Benny? He is kinda similar ti Sammul and HWick. Roger, Bobby, Gallen, Sheren? Sonija? Hmm.
The most welcomed and highest paid HK artist in China now is said to be Nic Tse.
There is only one number spot. They are not the highest earner doesn’t mean their career has not improved from their previous condition.
Wonder who can break the China market the best in the future. Maybe Charmaine since she seems to be welcomed.
How about Dicky cheung?
I think Charmaine might be the first to break it too. She’s already based in China now and can accept many offers
really? but her acting is so weak
Dic ky Cheung has never been TVB artist, he only acts for TVB sometimes per contract. He is a Taiwanese artist from the start.
Really? He started at TVB. I always thought he was a TVB contract artiste until he became very disillusioned and then left, came back, left, came back, left, came back and final nail to the coffin, JTTW 2 and he never came back since. He was very bitter and rightly so.
He started in Taiwan.
Many ppl mistaken that Dicky started with TVB, but before winning the New Talent Singing Awards, he was in Taiwan, then to TVB for a while, then after JTTW, he left. A similar route for KC, but KC sticked with TVB now. Who else? Leo Koo.
No he didn’t. Didn’t he won some singing contest? Related to Leslie Cheung? Did he first started in Taiwan? I don’t think so. He only went to Taiwan when he became hugely famous (at this point I can’t confirm when since his career is either all time high or all time low, no mid point). Just read that his wife suffered a miscarriage in 2008. Sad.
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Funn, you have to wait. Dic ky’s name =.=
Sigh… one can imagine what about D*ck Van Dyk*? Definitely banned!
Reposting;
I didn;t write d*cky’s name! I just checked!
@ Fox
Are your info correct? Di-cky entered the entertain industry by winning the New Talent Singing competition. He joined TVB after the competition and acted in a lot of TVB series.
He only went to Taiwan after the JTTW2 issue with TVB.
Wikipedia quoted ‘He entered show business in the early 1980s, signing a contract with television station TVB’
Just found out Steven Ma, actually read this page and follow our news on Jaynestars. How awesome!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Ma/
“The page you requested was not found.”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steven-Ma/189093064491304
this is the site. Wonder if it’s really his page.
I don’t think it’s actually him… there are some odd posts by michael, fala, linda, bosco… seems unlikely they would be so blunt.
I wonder if the one comment is Steven or just the administrator/creator of the page.
But, if Steven were to open a facebook page himself and post update, wouldn’t he use Chinese?
@kidd. True, but the english used on that fb site is pretty poor… not sure how good Steven’s English is. Anyways, I just find it quite odd that Steven and Michael Tse would argue so bluntly and rudely on the internet… seems like some obsessed fans to me :/
I really doubt it.
Lol, this is like myspace all over again. Some people created a bunch of celebrities profiles and then talk to themselves. Seriously, not all HK celebs know English and not all of them have that much free time to post on fb -v-
It looks fake. TVB stars often use weibo.
Highly doubt these are their FB pages. Reason no. 1, look at their profile pics, they’re all promo pics. 2, the other pics are all promo pics and no mobile update pics. if you’re really busy shooting 24/7, would you have time to upload pics the old way or use smartphone leh? 3, while i know some tvb artists are native english speaker, i know many are not ie michael tse, tavia, hence seeing their exchange ONLY in english is questionable. 4, way too blunt! they;re so crytic in interviews, why would they speak so bluntly on fb fanpage?
Oh, and 5, look at when they join FB. Steven Ma, Fala, and Myolie, all joined around August. Coincidence or crazy fan? I didn’t check all the other artist, but I have a gut feeling they all created their FB around the same time. Again, coincidence or crazy fan?
Steven Ma does not have a fb account. If search steven ma on fb,you will unearth several steven ma fb accounts, all fakes.
Steven has only Chinese blogs, that’s it.
It’s a fake acct. No way Steven is in FB. Not sure abt his english skills but it isn;t him. I find it despicable people pretend to be him and Fala and posting and such.
steven, add oil!!! imo you have done a good job so far!! the virginia lok is only interested in taking care of those good looking siu sangs and those who know how to suck up to her!!
pls don’t be disheartened by this. you are someone who is with substance, whatever your decision us, your fans will support you!!
yes, i also totally disagree with michael tse. just because he got this “laughing” role, he is now so act shot!! prior to that, he is a nobody lor….
whatever it is, support you steven ma!! add oil!!
I support Steven Ma. I think if you want to achieve in your career, then you should work hard for it and fight for opportunities. Opportunities does not drop in your lap everyday. The guy has been loyal to TVB for so many years, and has worked hard in many good series such as Safeguards, Ghost Writers, Sweetness in the Salt, amongst others. Now he’s got a pretty good career opportunity with the Mainland serie, so why shouldn’t he fight for it? I think if the situation was able to discuss behind closed doors, then he wouldn’t have to resort to Weibo, but even if so, he has done nothing wrong for sharing his feelings about this matter publicly.
Think about it, if you have worked so hard and is loyal to a company for 10+ years, you would definitely feel disappointed and also bitter if they throw out what you think is an opportunity for you. At that point in time, what would you do? Of course think about leaving the company.
On the other hand, Michael Tse is just voicing his opinion to side with TVB since they’re highly promoting him now. However, no doubt it’s a stupid comment. His comments brought a huge backlash from the public and will affect his image no matter how popular ‘Laughing Gor’ is. Before, it’s most likely he would get Best Actor, but now it’s probably lowered. (side note: I do think Bosco Wong as ‘Bai Co’ did the better job though given the role was refreshing but don’t think TVB would give it him).
At the very beginning, I really support Michael to win this year best actor out of fun and popularity. But after he blasted SM for being childish and etc for venting out his grudges over tvb which has definitely mistreated SM…i have lost my interest in this guy Michael really.
How can he be so insensitive to say SM was acting childish n etc? SM was obviously releasing his anger thru weibo etc.. I hope someone will replace 620 for good since so many artists had voiced out their disagrements and mistreated by her.
Wait! Wait! Need to see the video of him saying those words. Sometimes words are harsh but the way he said it may be different.
@Funn Lim:
http://stevenma-fanblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/video-of-mt-calling-steven-ma-childish.html
@Veejay:”SM was obviously releasing his anger thru weibo etc.. ”
SM did not rage against TVB for anything, whether for favoring Omission over Sentinel or for disfavoring him,
His weibo is a pleasant ‘place’ for him to communicate with his readers and fans, not a place to vent anger or extreme emotions. The two weibo entries that I have posted earlier are the most extreme of his emotion on weibo. The most anger he had shown on weibo was during the HK hostages incident in the Philippines.
If Steven had vented anger over TVB’s favoritism it is most probably when he was having a heated discussion with Ms. Lok behind closed door but somehow his words got leaked to the press thus putting him in unfavorable light, and being called an immature kid, no less.
As for his bantering posts with Uncle Choi on weibo,they had been doing that even before the series aired to hype it up. And Steven has stated in a much earlier entry than the above that he is a consummate drinker of cola and even posted a picture of his can of cola to emphasize it. But whatever. It’s like what had been an innocent or innocuous entry can be easily twisted to mean something else per someone’s agenda.
SM did not rage against TVB for anything, whether for favoring Omission over Sentinel or for disfavoring him, on his weibo.
edit: on his weibo
@Claimine,
Thanks for the clarification, so SM’s words had been twisted and misintepreted by reporters into something like he’s venting out on TVB.
Even if SM didn’t directly burst out his anger towards TVB on weibo, I still believe he’s mad at Virginia and TVB for treating his series lightly as compare to LOO. I do feel for SM who worked in tvb for over 10 years yet he has not recognised to receive the best actor after so many years.. I really like him and wish he will win atleast 1 year of the best actor but I guess TVB is gonna lose him for real.
As for CCTV & HunanTV arguments up there, I don’t really care which of this channel will give SM a better name in the industry, as long as he gets better pay and career ahead is what matter most.
BTW claimine, you mean SM is paid 1.5 million for the whole 50 eps?
Steven is just a 2nd male lead so don’t know how many episodes he will be in.
1.5 mil for his participation in however many episodes he will be in.
Previously it was reported to be 2mil, guess it was inflated or deflated by latter negotiated.
the whole series has 50 episodes.
Second main lead means he won’t appear in 1 or 2 eps only, right? Assume that 1.5 is for 50 eps and he appears in the whole 50 eps, so he is paid 30,000k/eps? Why that low :(?
Like I said I don’t know how many episodes Steven will be in.
Ok. I guess SM wanna join this one not because of money reason.
I read Charmaine’s fee is reportedly a cool 10 million even twice that of Hu Jun.
I rmb it’s reported that Charmaine has 200,000 per eps for this one.
@ Claimine,
The producer admitted that they offered Charmaine 8 figure sum (aka HKD10 million) for Yuan. However, the report about her fee being twice of Hu Jun is untrue. From what the producer said, he also use sky high price but did not reveal the exact figure. Since Hu Jun is the title figure and a very established actor, his pay is definitely higher than Charmaine.
8 figure fee is at lowest 10 million! That’s really high. Charmaine must be really happy now.
Hm, Jayne and Ah K, my comments did not appear, I think it’s be’cos I use a swear word, although I didn’t mean it in a rude way. Can you just delete any duplicate entries you see? Thanks… I will amend the B word…
You know, 620 has been portrayed in a terrible light by many reports, fans, even artistes…
I am curious about this lady. Is she really a scary, fire coming out of her breath kind of monster at that huge company? I think if I am an employee in her company, I will take care to be polite and respectful to her, since she seems so powerful.
If there are so many negative reports about her, doesn’t she need to do some PR, or her image needs to undergo some PR makeover?
To play the devil’s advocate, I am just raising some points below:
1. If she is really so powerful in that company, wow, she impresses me! Especially if she rose up the ranks by her own effort. She is like Wu Ze Tian, a woman empress, isn’t she?
2. I am sure other senior management are also engaged in politics, like the men, that’s why men are in leadership positions in many companies. However get a woman who is tough as nails, and is probably doing the same things that men do to get ahead, and yes, she is automatically labeled as a “bitxh”. I am not criticizing her. I just saying that I feel that women are as capable as men to lead companies. If being labeled a “bitxh” meaning you are tough, ruthless and capable, then it is good to be a “bitxh”.
Anyway, I don’t know her and the senior management, maybe she is really horrible, an incorrigible person, or maybe she isn’t and the others are just as bad. I am just exploring the issues from different angles.
She has a strong backup – no other than Mona Fong herself. But with the new buyers, there have been numerous news reports that she would be transferred to the movie division and that Catherine Tsang would take over the whole tv production division. But nothing came out of it. With SC gone, she was back in power that had been weakened during the power struggle with SC.
Fox, correct me if I was wrong.
I like your act as devil defense.
Actually, I dun think 620 is that bad and any other executives of TVB is anything better than her.
She might be annoying, might like to play favourite card, might like to receive “presents”, might think by ass when asked but why think (1) she can rule and ruin the whole TVB and (2) everyone not in her party are angels and (3) she can’t do anything good?
To expand:
(1) If she is that super powerful, why she needs to scare for SC’s come back 😛 and ppl are happy for SC’s come back? I don’t underestimate her ability, but from what I see, she seems to work on her artist department responsibility only.
(2)People who are not her favourite are angels? And who signed contract with TVB and dun complain much = sell soul to devil? Serious? It sounds seriously naive. Are they all cunning and acting naive? They know what is good for them and when to raise voice against the company very well.
(3) 620 and her business relationships are quite large. She can send her fave to the performance in Japan in an event of Japan-Korea. She also can pull someone to Korean performance. Ppl then find out that these events are solely based on 620’s relationships. For her responsibilities (promote and schedule for artists), she did quite well, especially for her favourite.
It depends on whether the artist is in her favour or not. Those artists in her favour, she will go out of her way to help. These people will see her in a good light.
She helped Sonija and Gigi Lai a lot during their troubled time. Even bring them to church.
Mona Fong is the one who recuited both 620 and SC.
SC handles the show and programming department. 620 handles the artists department. Cat Tsang and Tommy Leung with producers and series, but now Tommy is with Shaw Brothers. Tsang Tsing Ming is external convo. They are not really stepping on each other. However, they all have their own favourite artists and want to promote their artists, such as Cat Tsang’s biggest fave now is Ruco Chan so she is using all of her power to push him. SC before the corruption, spending power to push Amigo (failed) and then Patrick. Tommy Leung also has his own favourite card for his daughter Toby Leung. And the famous 620 is no different. Her list has KC, LF, Moses, Linda, Kate, Charmaine, etc. and the new ship jumper Fala and TY.
Mona Fong is now changed to in charge with Shawn Brother, so there is rumour 620 will go with Mona, but end up, look like 620 will still be with TVB.
Claimine,
“But with the new buyers, there have been numerous news reports that she would be transferred to the movie division and that Catherine Tsang would take over the whole tv production division.”
In the latest tabloid article which mentioned that Wong Jing may be invited by new TVB owner, Charles Chan, to join TVB, it was speculated that Virginia Lok will continue to rise in power at TVB while Catherine Tsang’s contract will not be renewed and may retire.
Catherine has the better eye for talent, while Virginia has proved herself to have more business acumen. From TVB management’s eyes, Virginia may be deemed more valuable.
Alright, bombed me but I think SC has the worst eyes on talent, lol.
Jayne: I remember that article now.
“while Virginia has proved herself to have more business acumen.”
But it wasn’t that long ago that V was being blamed for the decline in artistes’ outside jobs because of her mismanagement that her subordinate was made the scapegoat and resigned?
btw, Jayne, how do I italicize my words?
Claimine,
“But it wasn’t that long ago that V was being blamed for the decline in artistes’ outside jobs because of her mismanagement that her subordinate was made the scapegoat and resigned?”
Ms. Lok is still largely given credit for her wide network connections and ability to establish multi-channel opportunities for TVB management artists. Perhaps the decline in artist jobs can also be attributed to economy and decline of vendors’ willingness to pay higher fees? I didn’t follow the earlier scandal involving the resignation of her assistant.
To italicize, use the triangle bracket symbol with an “i” inside it and close with the triangle bracket followed by “/i”
One of the reasons if there was a decline in promotional jobs in HK might also be due to the emerging “phenomenon” of “leng mo”; who don’t demand much fees compared to artistes but willing to bare and do more.
😛
It’s one thing to push your favourites. It’s another to sabotage your non-fave.
Steven is not even asking to look for outside series/jobs for him. His managers did that for him. Virginia only need to approve job. This also she refuse to do.
@Kidd,
‘IF’ Virginia really refused to approve SM to take up job offer from mainland as reported. Then, this lady must have really something maybe grievance grudges against SM. Wonder wat made her dislike SM besides not being on her ship.
Anythning to do with SC “return” to power? After all wasn’t SM SC’s golden boy?
Dear lord, imagine if we write this way all the time. All these SC, 620, etc
620 has a really bad reputation among TVB fans. Makes me wonder if she knows that so many people are viewing her a devil now lol 😀
What Michael Tse should realize is that it isn’t just one or two incidents that have pushed Steven to terminate his contract w/ TVB, but a series of incidences throughout the years.
Steven has proven that time and again that he is a solid actor, bring ratings up for series even when they give him new actresses to pair with, bad time slots, and bad air dates. During almost all of his interviews, he has always praised TVB and played the role of the good ‘biological son.’ It’s not until recently that he has started to voice his feelings… and I certainly don’t blame him. Also, I’m sure Steven has already voiced his displease w/ ms. lok behind closed doors… it’s only when he sees no changes that he goes to weibo. I don’t think this is desperate or immature at all. If actors and actresses don’t voice their true feelings about TVB, then TVB will always remain as it is now… crappy drama after crappy drama and treating certain artists unfairly.
Judy: “What Michael Tse should realize is that it isn’t just one or two incidents that have pushed Steven to terminate his contract w/ TVB, but a series of incidences throughout the years.”
The question posed to him was not Steven wanting to quit because Sentinel did not have a celebration.
The question posed to MT was that Steven complained about TVB’s favoritism of Omission. Sentinel also garnered a rating peak of 40 points, but how come unlike Omission it did not have a celebration for that accomplishment?
Maybe Steven didn’t buy expensive handbags to Virginia thus making her to dislike SM (JK)
I also agree with Judy that SM has proven as a solid actor with solid acting skill, I definitely disagree with some ppl here who think SM has overreacted/dramatic in Sentinel.
What Michael Tse did wrongly was responding and giving his strong thoughts just by words feed by the reporter. A smarter artiste will give a more graceful answer or just dodge the question.
I really like Steven Ma. I started watching him in return of the cuckoo. i really like him. he’s a great actor. i don’t want to not see him anymore. if this is true and if he will ever leave from acting i’ll truly miss him. A LOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me too – I really like him and my favourite was “Safe Guards”. Think I became a fan after watching that drama as his character seemed so heroic. I wish that he would change his mind and not leave TVB.
Mulling over it he evoked that notion that had been stored for a long time in the back of his mind and activated it. He sent an official letter style text message to Virginia Lok requesting an early release from his contract.
“To make this decision was not easy. I thought of Zhan jie (Catherine Tsang), Uncle Choi (Leung Choi Yuen), they’ve been good to me. Even Stephen Chan, though the days of our interaction are not long, but these two years I can see that he has been trying very hard to fulfill his promises to me. I’ve the utmost respect for him.”
But to pursue better growth he, in the end, still sent out his text message. The day was August 21. As to the rumors that though The Life and Times of Sentinel’s finale garnered a peak of 40 points but did not receive any acknowledgment from the company, whereas Life of Omission garnering the same peak rating was ostentatiously celebrated had so enraged Steven that in a fit of anger he decided to request an early termination to his contract does not hold water because it was not until August 26th that ‘Sentinel’s’ finale was aired.
“Do you think it’s little kids playing toys? If I want a celebration I can pay for one out of my own pocket. I’ve done that many times already.”
About Michael Tse’s upfront upbraiding him for being “immature”, Steven smiled and said: “I’m not very familiar with Michael. I believe he was just kidding. Steven, I, will never carry out any action over not having a celebration.
Please, let this rumors of Steven terminating his contract in a fit of pettiness and anger because Sentinel did not have a celebration but Omission had. Also Steven did not complain about TVB’s favoritism on his weibo.
These rumors are very damaging to Steven’s character, reputation and career. Rumors stopped with the wise.
Where’s the edit button? Let these rumors stop.
Just a thought. Could be far-fetch. I read Ming Pao and 620 said ‘not everything I said will be ok’. Maybe 620 could sometimes be the middle woman who do the ‘bad’ deeds, but, actually executive higher than her who made the decisions?
Just a thought.
Of course, the context of the Ming Pao article is different. 620 mean to say not everything she said will be ok. Depends on timing, place and people.
From Steven’s answer, it seems 620 is just follow the contract stipulations. So, she actually did nothing even if she rejected this offer.
I also find it strange Steven use sms to convey such important matters
– sms 620 to ask for permission to film Mainland series
– sms 620 and other people in charge that he wants to terminate contract early.
Should these thing be talked about face to face?
steven is so sick over this matter that he has no strenght to fight the devil anymore and choose to “give up”
Maybe she has no time to see him, does not bother to see him? So he had to SMS?
As Steven’s manager TVB is to help him further his career successfully and to ensure his longevity as an actor. This series provides a big opportunity for Steven, which btw tvb did not get for him, so TVB as manager should bend over back to realize that opportunity for him. It earns a hefty cut on the fee, too. But without much ado and less than an hour, VL blithely smashed that hope without even meeting with Steven to at least discuss it or see what she could do about it? A stipulation in ALL artists’ contract – what about Ron, and Myolie? What about KC? Is his series going to be air in HK?
Steven wants to leave cos’ VL does not care about furthering his career. He has signed up with tvb but his career is the hands of one woman, a woman who has ‘low affinity” with him.
He had wanted to leave in 2009 because of her, but stayed because of SC’s promises to him and because he loves TVB, just can’t stand that woman who also can’t stand him or lift a figure to help his career.
I was so shocked by Steven’s action, truly didn’t see that coming at all because he is such a patient and tolerant man who values harmony above all.
“hell” was maybe afraid if steven got to taste the good life in “heaven” then he would def. leave hell for good.
however devil’s plan backfired and made steven powerful enough to wrestle his way out of hells gate…
I don’t understand. All along TVB knew the real reasons why Steven wanted to leave tvb and that they have nothing to do with celebration or lack of it, so why did tvb publish the list of top 10 rated tv series todate as if to give credence to the rumor that Steven was petty over the celebration issue,hence his resignation?
the next person leaving TVB should be Virginia Lok (樂易玲). If she stays any longer, there will be no siu sangs and fadans left! She does not have TVB best interest in mind. Only tries to get rid of anyone who doesn’t support or listen to her.
who need him.tvb have laughing.steven ma is loser.he boring.
at least he cute ang handsome more than laughing hahahaa
laughing will win best actor.he don’t have competitor.he is too strong.
He is probably one of the best actors in TVB. Too bad he gets mistreated and have to go elsewhere.