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Ming Pao Clip
This year is Kenneth [Ma]'s 20th year in the industry. He finds himself lucky, having more gains than losses in his performing arts path. Many of his Acting Class classmates, such as Adam Ip, Chan Sau Yu, Wong Siu Ping, et al., have already left TVB. "I feel that I am considered a lucky actor. Have heard seniors say that many actors have never encountered a good role in their lives. For the time being, I have encountered a few scripts that I like a lot, like 'A Fistful of Stances', 'The Hippocratic Crush', the two installments of 'The Exorcist's Meter', and 'Big White Duel'".
Criticized as Having No Acting Skills and Not Being Handsome When Initially Entering the Industry
Kenneth, who is now loved by the audience, was actually criticized in the first few years of entering the industry, saying that he could not act and was not handsome. "Some people even said, 'Your series...I won't watch it!' However, nothing can be done about it. I like to act, so I am continuing to do it. (How did you adjust your frame of mind at the time?) I think that the best way to solve the problem is being your good self so that the other person likes to watch you. If they still don't like you, then nothing can be done about it, since liking or not is very subjective". Kenneth is grateful that he has never experienced a big low point. Has kept filming at the company. Even when there was no series filming for up to eight or nine months, he had outside jobs so that he could make a living.
As for what he has 'lost', Kenneth frankly said that it was freedom. He revealed that he is naturally slovenly. In elementary school and middle school, he did not comb his hair because he played soccer when he went to school. Plus, it was an all-boys school, so it was meaningless to comb his hair. "I think that, if I were not in this industry, I would be even more casual...the kind of person that grows his hair long, ties it in a pigtail with an ordinary elastic band, and then goes out because I am really lazy about going to get my hair cut...feel that it is a big waste of time. However, would certainly not do so as an artiste now, and I usually don't go out in an undershirt and shorts, except when I'm working because it is convenient when changing clothes".
Leaving Winning 'TV King' Again to Fate, Cannot Insist on It
Kenneth, who has always been popular with the audience, has long been known as the 'People's TV King', but he brushed past 'TVB's TV King' many times. It was only at the beginning of the year that he broke the fate of being a guide runner, winning 'Best Actor' for the first time at "TV Awards Presentation 2019" for "Big White Duel". Kenneth said that it was the netizens who felt bad for him; he does not think that it was gotten too late. If talking about going from entering the indistry to winning TV king, it was much longer for Wayne Lai than him; thus, winning an award depends on fate and luck. This year, the competition for TV king is fierce. "Death by Zero"'s Wayne and Moses Chan and "Al Cappuccino"'s Vincent Wong are all hot candidates. Does he want to win 'TV King' again to celebrate his 20th year in the industry? Kenneth said that he is leaving it to fate...cannot insist on it. Also satisfied even if he only wins 'TV King' once. "Heard Roger Kwok say before that, if you win 'TV King' once, then you are a 'TV King' forever. What he meant was that there was no need to care about the number of times. I have also never been concerned about the number of times. Making money is still the most practical because, if I get married, also have to save up money to buy another building".
In his performing arts career, Kenneth still has constant pursuits and is eager to encounter roles that interest him, and he also hopes to have an opportunity to develop on the big screen. "The mentality is different now. Would not randomly shoot a movie for the sake of being on the big screen. Now, would hope to try it out only when [I] encounter a suitable one". He is very interested in challenging a gay-themed movie: "I don't want the funny type of 'hehe' relationship. It has to be very serious like 'Happy Together' because, all these years of being in the industry, I have performed too many characters and scripts, but I have not tried acting as a gay character. (Also accept a male-male kiss?) Yes, I dare to do it. The most important thing is that the script is written well...not revolting. (Preferred partner?) I would choose Lai Lok Yi because we are rather familiar with each other; there would be a tacit understanding. It should work, but he has to get rid of the funny feeling of 'God John Ma' first...charge out together".
Takes the Risk of Losing His Hair to Create Antagonist Image
Speaking of the currently airing series "Line Walker: Bull Fight", Kenneth, who has always had a positive image, is playing a brainy major antagonist for the first time, and even dyed his hair light grey, becoming 'Ma Chok Ying'. He said, "Actually, I have always wanted to play the major antagonist...very happy to finally play it. Used to often hear some producers say that I look very upright; acting as an antagonist is unconvincing. Plus, the feeling that I usually give people is also rather simple and honest, so the producer specially helped me create my image this time". Kenneth recalled that, because it is easy for the light grey colour to have colour discrepancies, he had to re-colour his hair every ten-plus days; it lasted for four months. It was quite a bit of work and damaging to the hair. When it got to the latter part of filming, noticed that he had lost more hair; fortunately, everything is fine now, and it came out not bad in the series.
Not as Rich as Raymond Lam, Has to Buy a Building for Marriage
Speaking of Raymond Lam, this brother he had met in his youth, after "Three Kingdoms RPG", they collaborated again nine years later. Kenneth laughingly said that he felt that there was not much of a big change. Although they have matured, still childlike at heart. During the filming of the series, also reflected on the mischievous things in the past. "What [I] remember the most was, when filming 'The Four', Raymond, Ron Ng, Sammul Chan, and I--the four silly guys--had the same uniform. We're very playful. Once there was a wide shot, we intentionally mixed up the positions that we stood in; the standing positions were different from the close-up shots, so there was no continuity in the scene, but the director on site and, even after the broadcast of the series, no one noticed it. We were very happy at the time...felt as though we did a bad thing but did not get caught by the director".
In terms of his career, he is the first 'TV King' of the 'Olympic Six Stars'; however, on the journey of life, Raymond and Lai Lok Yi seem to be slightly better, as they have already gotten married and have a child. For this, Kenneth's mentality is leaving it to fate. He laughingly said, "I am not as rich as Raymond. He only needs to meet a suitable one and can get married whenever he wants to. I still have to work hard. Hope to save up money so that [I] can buy another 700 or 800-square-foot house for my family to live in near the place [I] live now. (Not scared of disputes between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?) For me, the best thing, of course, is getting along well".
*Credits to mingpao
