Kevin Cheng: Actor Has to Become What He Acts

As “Baye” in Treading on Thin Ice and as “Law” in Ghetto Justice, he has charmed thousands of girls merely with a wink. This year’s Shanghai TV Festival has invited famous actor Kevin Cheng to be a judge in the TV Series section. The winner of two TVB Awards for Best Actor, Cheng now has the duty to decide who wins the Magnolia Award. He has one standard in mind as he approaches his judging role: one has to become what one acts.

Daily News: Is this your first time as an STVF judge? Unlike at TVB where you wait for the results, you will now be judging other actors and actresses. Do you feel any different in this role, such as the pressure of such power in your hands?

Kevin Cheng:  I used to be a judge in beauty contests, but I’ve never been a judge in an event that requires so much expertise. When I was nominated as an actor and when someone else made comments about me, I didn\'t really have to think much. Now as a judge, I do have some pressure. I used to consider myself as an ordinary member of the audience when I watched TV, but now I have to watch as an actor, so I may have a different point of view. I will pay more attention to the acting and camera angles, and I will try my best to be objective.

Daily News:Most of the nominated TV series are about urban life. Have you noticed any difference between this kind of TV on the Mainland and in Hong Kong China? Do you have any specific standards you would like to see achieved?

Kevin Cheng: There is indeed some difference, and I take it to be the result of the differences in our ways of life. Take Angel Heart for example. In Hong Kong China, there are also TV series about hospitals such as Healing Hands, but the hospital systems in the Mailand and Hong Kong China are different, although I think they all do a great job. Another example is Ipartment 3. There seems to be no such kind of TV in Hong Kong China, but I admire it a lot. It is an exaggerated kind of comedy in an American style. Also, We Love You，Jin Liang  is a great representation of domestic life and there are many nice costume dramas such as The Orphan of Zhao and Militia Ge Erdan. I think that the styles of TV series vary a lot, and I’m truly thankful to STVF for giving me this chance to watch so many great TV shows.

Daily News: There are some highly distinguished screenwriters and directors  on the jury panel, so, as an actor, do you have your own unique way of making a judgment?

Kevin Cheng:  First of all, I’m an actor, so I think that the Organizing Committee also expects me to examine the acting. Therefore I will focus on the acting of every actor and actress.

Daily News: You have spent most of the past year working. What do you think of the working environment and how different is it to Hong Kong China?

Kevin Cheng:  I have been exposed to a great market on the Mainland and been given plenty of space. But I may be working simultaneously in a number of shows, so I have to carefully choose the screenplays in order to ensure the quality of productions I work on.

Daily News: Most of your works are either costume dramas or those set in a certain age. Have you ever considered taking an acting any role in a more modern genre? Which type do you prefer - business, ethics, or mother- and daughter-in-law shows? Jury President Zhang Li and Kang Honglei are both prominent directors, and Wang Liping is the most renowned screenwriter specializing in writing about daily life. Would you like to work with them in a modern drama?

Kevin Cheng:  I’d like to act in contemporary dramas but it is difficult to find the right role. Most Mainland dramas feature very local family life, so it seems unlikely to have a Hong Kong China actor in them, particularly given the vernacular differences. Although many popular TV dramas have been in contact with me, I don’t want to play a leading idol role in them at my age. If possible, I’d like to shoot a contemporary show close to real life. The lifestyles of Hong Kong China and the Mainland are different, so it will be a major change for me to have a role in a Mainland family drama. The issues about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, parenting and housing problems involved in TV dramas are much the same all around the world. As for future involvement, I need to get to know the producers better before making a commitment.

Daily News: This year “Uncle” seems particularly popular and its stars such as Wu Xiubo and Zhang Jiayi are shortlisted candidates for the Best Actor Award. Who do you think the prize will go to? And do you regard yourself as an Uncle or as a Young Idol?

Kevin Cheng: Actors have to play uncles at a certain age, but I think “Uncle’s” appeal to viewers is due to the stars\' acting abilities. As far as I’m concerned, an actor’s highest level is when he continues to bring a freshness to a role rather than always playing it a certain way. Hong Kong China actor Anthony Wong does this very well. As for me, I need to try harder to act appropriate to my age.

Daily News: In the past year, you have worked on many TV series on the Mainland, such as Hero, Love and Passion, Mundane World and so on. It is no exaggeration that you have worked year-round. When will you return to TVB? What role would you also like to take on in the future?

Kevin Cheng:  My focus in the next six months will be to make a music record. But now I still have many telescripts to work on. So, the earliest time for me to return to TVB to film a drama will be the second half of next year.