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Ming Pao Weekly Clip
Recently, [Wong Wai Kwan], who made the boy band MIRROR popular, stated that "my favourite means having no ability", which caused a lot of waves. Kenneth Ma from TVB is the embodiment of 'my favourite'.
Since 2012, Kenneth won 'My Favourite TV Male Character' at the "TV Awards Presentation" for the first time, being nominated 15 times and winning six of 'My Favourite', 'Most Popular', and Greater Bay Area's and Malaysia's 'My Favourite TVB Actor in a Leading Role' . He also won 'Best Actor' for "Big White Duel".
As for whether awards equal ability, Kenneth sees it clearly: "I don't think that TVB's 'Best Actor' is actually the leading actor. It's just being willing to award it to you, which is the leading actor award. I have also won it outside. At Yahoo and Weibo, I have also won the leading actor [award]. Actually, awards are also to let the public know that the industry is still operating...to make everyone feel that it is still a grand matter so that the industry will continue to develop healthily...."
It is probably also the same for actors. Apart from letting their works speak for themselves, they also need the people's choice, 'my favourite', as a foundation. Kenneth, who is Hong Kong's housewife killer with zero negative comments and has become a married man in recent years, has a part in starring in the new series "Prism Breaker", which is currently airing. It has accumulated nearly 400 million clicks in just one month on a Mainland platform. This year marks his 25th year in the industry. How did he develop his ability?
A Representative of the 14th Training Class
Regarding acting, Kenneth said this, "Acting is a choice. Just think that there are five ways to do each scene. How to choose? Newcomers often choose wrongly, choosing a method that is not so good to do it. Those with enough experience choose the correct method. Thus, why is it often thought that their acting skills are so incredible? Because they have chosen the right ones in nine out of ten scenes, while newcomers only choose one or two correctly out of ten scenes".
However, the fault is now with the newcomers. "I think that the newcomers now are very pitiful! Who can the newcomers in TVB follow now? It's either me, Ruco (Chan), or Moses (Chan) over and over. Compared with that group of our seniors in the past, they are already the top actors in the film industry now, so [you] know how fortunate we were at the time to learn from this group of incredible people".
Kenneth's desire to perform came about when he joined a drama troupe while studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. He was born into a modest family. A family of five, his father was an engineer for a gas company, and he has twin elder sisters. When he was young, he attended the Salesian School, an elite school in the Hong Kong Island area. His grades were average. When he was in the third year of secondary school, he immigrated to Canada with his family. Under the influence of his father, he enrolled at UBC to study mechanical engineering.
In 1999, he also returned to Hong Kong with his family. That year, there was no LinkedIn yet; there was only the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis. The UBC graduate sent 60 to 70 application letters, but there was no response. In the end, he only received an acceptance notice from TVB's television artiste training class; it would not hurt him to try.
"My parents knew that I liked to act because I had done plays in school, but I also never thought that I would use it to make a living. I wanted to find a job in mechanical engineering but couldn't find one! Couldn't do anything about it, so I went in for an interview! Got in by sheer luck, and have been doing it until now by sheer luck. Also very successful now? Also not considered to be, but I often say that I am considered lucky".
[You] think that the main entrance is closed, but fate gives you a lifelong career through a window. Kenneth is the only student in the 14th artiste training class who is still active in front of the camera. "Everyone from my class has left. Actually, there is still one (Ho Chi Cheung), but has shifted to being behind the scenes and has become a cameraman. Although they have left the industry, we still see each other from time to time. Now, many are doing business and are flourishing...also very happy. Everyone has his or her own needs! Don't have to necessarily stay in this industry to be successful. Many have factories and careers in Mainland; it's just that the public doesn't know about it".
Francis Ng Was Very Ferocious
At that time, the instructors of the training class were mainly Law Koon Lan (former Associate Professor at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts) and Lam Seung Mo. "Teacher Law Koon Lan was very strict. Strictness is a good thing. Everyone was a blank slate. It was only when [we] really practiced while doing it that [we] would understand what they were teaching at that time, such as the imaginary line of sight. It was only until I filmed 'The Exorcist's Meter' that I really understood it...."
A year later, he officially signed a contract with TVB. It is normal for newcomers to play small parts. As long as he had an opportunity to perform, he also never refused. "Anything was okay for me...dared to do it and shoot it. In the early days of being in the industry, everything was new. The first time hanging on wires, the first time being a john, and the first time acting as a pimp. I thought that it was very fun and also did not have any worries. The roles did not have much screen time. Was just one scene, so did not think too far ahead. Was afraid of being stereotyped in viewers' minds. Whether viewers saw me or not also became a problem. Perhaps many of those behind the scenes would see it".
It was because he was too immersed in the role of a crazy guy who peeped at Myolie Wu wearing panty hose in "Survivor's Law" that he got the chance to be the first male lead in the sequel. "Heard some people say that I did a good job; that's why there was the opportunity to be the first male lead in 'Survivor's Law II'. A lot of it was accumulated. Although the roles were very tiny, viewers would not see it; actually, many producers behind would see it".
A fortunate actor must understand the true target audience early on. In addition, he must also understand the strictness of his seniors, which is the driving force for progress. In 2003, apart from first showing his horns in "Survivor's", he also became a part of the anniversary series "Triumph in the Skies". "I know that more than ten from the training class went to the casting. Fortunately, I got the opportunity. Very grateful to Tommy Leung and Poon Ka Tak (producer)!"
"Triumph" is an important milestone in Kenneth's performing arts career. At that time, he, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, and Sammul Chan were promoted as 'S4'. He said, "At that time, the four of us were all very new. At that time, really did not know how to act. It was already considered good to be able to say the dialogue. Great to not get scolded by Francis [Ng]! Really scolded! Francis was very ferocious. [If] you did't do well, would scold you! It's very normal! Like when Benz [Hui] scolded me.... Francis was also doing it for the best. He didn't want us to memorize the dialogue by rote. He would demonstate it to us. The dialogue is dead; the actors have to be more lively! When the copy editors write the script, they write facing four walls. Going on site is another real location. Most of the time, the script does not match the scene. [When you] go to the site, you say whatever you see...."
Gallen Lo Taught by Example, Ram Chiang Taught Enlightenment
Still remember that, not long after entering the industry, Kenneth publicly expressed that his goal was to be Benz Hui, regarding him as his mentor. Years ago, Kenneth said his mentor's heartfelt words, "Would you rather I scold you now or viewers scold you when the series comes out (你寧願我現在鬧你，還是劇集出街觀眾鬧你)?" Of course, it is known that real version is converting the word 「鬧」 into curse words, even understanding the agitation of his tough love. Kenneth said, "These words have always been in my heart. Always remember how good Benz was to me. Of course, also encountered many good seniors afterward; thus, whether it was Benz, Ram Chiang, or Gallen [Lo], felt that there was a group of seniors who doted on me. It was a very fortunate thing".
"The first time [I] filmed with Gallen was 'At the Threshold of an Era'. My character was named 'Stanley'...helped him trade stocks. Only had a few scenes because [I] died very quickly. That night, everyone was also very tired from filming. Already had not slept for several nights. The script for that scene was written on the spot. Had to say some professional terms regarding stock trading. I took 20 or 30 takes, but Gallen was very good-tempered. Actually saw that he was already very sleepy, but he kept saying, 'Take [your] time' and 'Don't be nervous'. Actually, he could have scolded me in public: 'Have you done your homework?' and 'Don't waste my time'. Really could have done so. He's a big star, while I was nothing, but he didn't...."
As for another mentor, it is Ram, who played 「莫有為」 in "Exorcist's". "Actually, I collaborated with Ram in many series afterward. He is a very good senior, and [I] live close to him. When getting off work a lot of the time, I would also drive him home. In the car, I would ask him for advice on acting. He would also selflessly share his opinions with me to help me understand the script".
Kenneth gave an example of a scene in the series where [he] goes into a fire scene three or four times to help his 'father' King Kong put out the fire. The script only mentioned the repetitive dialogue 'call Dad'. "He analyzed it for me and enlightened me, which made me keep thinking about whether it could be handled differently when going back those three or four times. He never taught me how to do it, but guided me to think about it! This is very important. The most valuable thing for actors is not accepting what they are taught, but letting them figure it out. Because [I] had him with me this time, but who would teach [me] when [he] is not around in the next one? Thus, you must know to look at the script correctly...."
It is understandable that, when Ram left TVB in 2022, it felt like letting a great opportunity slip for Kenneth.
Herman Yau Revealed That Anthony Wong Praised by Name
This year makes Kenneth's 25th anniversary in the industry. One of the things that made him continue to forge ahead in this industry was related to a series that aired in 2015, "Lord of Shanghai", which he co-starred with Anthony Wong.
"Actually, I didn't know about it...just heard about it. After filming 'Lord of Shanghai', I accepted the company's series about the ICAC ('ICAC Investigators 2016'). This series invited a movie director (Herman Yau) to shoot it. This opportunity was very hard to come by because TV stations are rarely able to invite movie directors. One day on location, that director suddenly said to me, 'Anthony praised you in front of me'. He said that it was rare to hear Anthony praise people. This matter has been firmly etched into my mind! It turns out that he praised me for doing a good job in 'Lord'. Probably saw that I designed some things. At that time, there were 20 episodes. I had to shoot ten episodes as his younger version. When Anthony was filming those ten episodes, I went to watch every scene to learn from him! When it was my turn to shoot, I deliberately did not imitate him. Only imitated him in the last two episodes. I wanted to wait until the character 「喬傲天」 matured before [I] started to imitate Anthony's way of acting. Perhaps he saw this design. The director also said that Anthony praised me for imitating [him] very well in the last two episodes!"
Kenneth will never forget the joy of this kind of 'being praised by [his] idol'. "For actors like us, it is a great motivation. After working hard for so long, finally get the recognition of the idol whom I admire. Not kidding...I feel fortunate because these things happen occasionally, which makes me continue to work hard to see if [I] could better in the next one".
Looking back on his 25-year acting career, to have such fortunate things happen, it is probably because he is a person who 'quietly does things'. "I remember when I first entered the industry, a hairstylist in the dressing room who was starting to get familiar with me said, "Used to think that you were mute'. He said that I always sat quietly on one side; however, because of this, many seniors thought that I was a person of few words and many deeds. When I got into position, would try by best to do my best. Of course, I did not do well in the past, but already did my best, so many seniors treated me very well!"
Sees Brian Chu as His Successor
Along with the increase in seniority, there is also a change in status and position. Kenneth knows that there are some roles that he cannot play. "Now, [if] you tell me to play 「一件頭」 (「張一健」's nickname in 'The Hippocratic Crush'), I definitely cannot do it...such a young and inexperienced doctor. May have to be a doctor of a higher level because my age is not the same".
Kenneth feels that he has to do more things that are 'beyond being an actor' to make filming go even more smoothly. "Now, when [you] are in a certain position, it's not just about acting. You even have to take care of the on-site environment. It is best for everyone to shoot happily...the entire thing would come out looking good! Sometimes even have to do PR work. Can't just look after yourself. Can when being a newcomer in the past, but when you have more seniority, have to help the director control the entire on-site environment!"
He admitted that he has gone the extra mile to get to know his co-stars since "Exorcist's". "Hubert Wu was very new, and his role as 「石敢當」 was very important, so I kept getting familiar with him so that the characters of 「小馬」 and 「石敢當」 would work even better together and would be more fun! I knew that he also liked cars, so [I] often asked him to to go look at cars...even asking him after work and on holidays. In the past, I would hide in a corner to eat, but I would take the initiative to ask him to eat together, chat more, and learn about him entering the industry or his music. When two people are more familiar with each other, there would be less awkwardness and distance, and filming would be even more efficient. In recent years, the one who has left me the greatest impression is [Brian] Chu. I think that he is quite good. A bit like me in the past...also does not speak up much, but you would feel that he has done his homework, and he does it quietly".
Only Learned How to Create Surprises After Marriage
When asked which work he could not tolerate the most in these 25 years and wanted to reshoot, Kenneth said, "Recently, because my wife has been finding my old series to watch, I also sat down and rewatched "Survivor's II". Wow...it was really a disaster! At that time, there were only two levels--very relaxed and very high. There was no middle area...no transitional area! Looking back now, really acted very badly. Of course, after finishing the filming with Sammul [Chan] at that time, I thought that I had done a good job. As the first series as the first male lead, it is not considered to be too bad...also passed!"
In December 2023, he married Roxanne Tong, whom he had been dating for more than three years and is also in entertainment industry, in Koh Samui, Thailand. Their life after marriage has become even more close; what remains unchanged is the rhythm of life and the mentality. The two love to stay at home, play with the cats, and watch movies and share plots and acting insights in their spare time. Apart from work, Kenneth's daily life is playing soccer and then going home, just like ordinary people.
"Now, don't mind having less me time more and more, and even want to spend more time with wife more and more. She is very delightful, and she has many ingenious ideas. In short, I also think that whatever she says is very funny! I didn't laugh so much back then. She gives me a lot of surprises. I have also been influenced by her...."
His wife's birthday is in May, while Kenneth's birthday is on February 13th, which is only one day away from Valentine's Day. He admitted that the gifts he received were twice as big. "I received a super large one...was very happy! Actually, I am a very boring and scrupulous person. In the past, would only have a meal on my partner's birthday...did not know how to create surprises. After getting along with her for a long time, I slowly learned. For this year's birthday, I also created several surprises in a row...also felt that it was quite successful. You know that my wife is very clever. She would guess what I want to do, but this birthday, she did not expect it at all. She also praised me for improving!" Being able to be happy every day is already the best gift from a lover. Regardless of whether it is a day to be celebrated or not, seeing Kenneth smiling from the heart and no longer being naturally blank, envious of his luck even more because he has chosen the right wife.
One day, Roxanne said to him, "Girls would also often look for a man who is like their father as their husband". After getting married and getting along [with each other] for a long time, she discovered that his personality is like her father Tong Chun Chung's. Kenneth said, "My father-in-law is also a person who does not speak up much...don't know if it's because of this. Thinking back, my brother-in-law's pesonality is also a bit like my father's. My brother-in-law is a person who is very stingy toward himself, but he is willing to spend money on his children. He lets his two sons play ice hockey. [You] must know that the equipment for this sport is extremely expensive...not like me being able to play soccer for a long time with a pair sneakers for a few hundred dollars. However, my brother-in-law would also do his best to nurture them".
Does Kenneth plan to have a child for his beloved wife? "Also all ready! Also looking at fate, but not deliberately pursuing it!"
*Credits to mpweekly
