Ruco Chan and Edwin Siu came from similar backgrounds. Not only were they classmates in primary school, but also both brushed through the music industry and once had full confidence on their future. Unfortunately, dreams and reality are absolutely two different matters. During the financial crisis, Ruco lost his opportunity to release an album, while Edwin didn't know how to communication with others and got himself entangled with too many negative news. The two admitted they felt disappointed that they didn't have a goal in their careers.
Ruco: I was in the TVB Artistes Training Class at the age of 18. At the time, I had so many imaginations. I imagined becoming a singer and a film actor. One time at karaoke, I met So Tak Wah and after auditioning, PolyGram signed me to be a singer. But because of the 1997 financial crisis, I didn't get to release my album and PolyGram was acquired by another company. My singing career was very short, but it was pretty good. At the time, I was just disappointed, but wasn't scared at all because I thought if I can't be a singer, I could do something else. I didn't know the financial crisis had such a big impact on the economy. It was quiet for two or three years before I started feeling scared! The toughest time was before I entered ATV, I was just 21 or 22 years old and I had no money. I had to rely on playing ping-pong ball to survive. That time I didn't think feel it was that difficult, but I didn't have any direction and didn't know how difficult my future could get! I was jobless for two or three years, and began losing hope on the entertainment circle. I've thought of leaving and changing professions. When you have no money or food, dreams and reality are just two different things. Luckily my family and friends supported me along the way that I was able to continue developing in this industry. Later, I joined ATV and ended up there for 6 years.
Edwin: I entered the industry in 2002 as a singer. At the time there were a lot of changes. Shortly after I joined the industry, my career went up and down. Just too much happened. I had a lot of negative news. Now thinking back, I think I was just too new and didn't know how to communicate with people. Later I went to develop in China, it was considered my most difficult time then! My father left and moved all his properties to Beijing. At the time, I haven't been to Beijing before, so I felt a little homesick. That time China wasn't in good shape as they are now and my income wasn't as good as before. I did a lot of other things unrelated to singing and that time my Mandarin wasn't good either. People laughed at me when I was on stage. I didn't earn much money and had to really watch what I'm spending. I saw no light ahead of me. What I was most unhappy about was I had no goal, my jobs were all scattered and I just felt the foundation I had in Hong Kong was slowly going away. I was just wasting time.
Muddling around for several years, Ruco and Edwin coincidentally ended up at TVB and gave themselves a final chance. If there was no success, they would change profession.
Edwin: After several years in China, my singing contract ended and I was hesitant for a long time. I thought about changing professions and become a small business owner in Beijing. Luckily my mother came back to Hong Kong to accompany me. My turning point was in 2008, I met Ho Lai Chuen before when I was a singer, he helped me connect with TVB and I later met Miss Lok (Virgina Lok). Then I decided to join TVB and start over. I like singing and never thought of filming TV series. Since I've been in the industry, I only filmed Aqua Heroes and never did another one. Coming back to TVB, I threw away my burdens and started fresh. At first, I didn't have many opportunities, not many people knew me in the first couple of years. Its very practical being in TVB, just as long as your willing to work, then someone will know. From Beyond the Realm of Conscience to Forensic Heroes III, A Great Way to Care II and now Brother's Keeper, I'm progressing step by step.
Ruco: I also decided to leave ATV and go back to TVB in 2008. At the time, there were somethings we couldn't compromise on. For example, I'm an artist but why do I suddenly have to change and be an officer worker? I have my own limit. Of course I cannot ask the company to accommodate me, so I decided to not to play the game. Actually when I left PolyGram, TVB approached me, but at the time I didn't think I learned anything yet so I didn't want to go back. 2008 was a huge turning point for me. That time I was thinking I'm going to give myself one last chance and if it doesn't work out, then I'm changing professions.
Edwin: I thought the same. I told myself this is the last straw. Did you give yourself time?
Ruco: I first thought of giving myself 2 years and see how far I can get. If I can't do it, then forget it. When I came back to TVB, I had a lot of pressure. Although I had always been an artist, but no matter how active you are, people will treat you like your invisible and then you really lose confidence. Some promotional events, I totally wanted to avoid and not go.
Edwin: I have the same feeling. When I was a singer, I thought some reporters didn't really like me and why don't I just stand to the side. I went to the press conference, but it felt like I didn't go at all. I was a little resistant, like everything I did was useless.
Both started out as supporting actors, but after hard work coupled with good luck, they finally got leading roles. At last, Ruco and Edwin have some results to show to themselves and to their supporters.
Ruco: I started from fresh when I came back to TVB. My first series King of Snooker, I just had three scenes, then to Burning Flames 3, The Other Truth and now Brother's Keeper. I'm taking one step at a time. Luckily my TVB comeback had been going smoothly. I think of it as a bonus.
Edwin: I personally want to let everyone know what kind of person I am. There were too many misunderstandings in the past, no matter how much I try to explain I just can't do it. This time coming back to TVB, I had to start over. Some people said I didn't look friendly, so they didn't want to talk to me. In the past 6 years at TVB, I learned many lessons and many are very practical. I will just do as much as I can, and can finally feel that I am a human being.
Also, Ruco and Edwin were on a radio interview to promote for Brother's Keeper. They expressed this is their first real collaboration. When speaking of playing a couple with rumored girlfriend Linda Chung, Ruco expressed: "I now understand why some seniors said its sometimes difficult to get out of character. Linda is truly a very good and pretty girl. It was a little challenging for me to get out of character." Regarding Ankie Beilke's first series, Ruco said: "We had a kiss scene, she really does 'electrify'! (Did her mother Ankie Lau supervise the set?) Her mother is even funnier, some kiss scenes she would come out and demonstrate herself!"
Source: Oriental Daily
Translated by: aZnangel @
AsianEU Forum
