[News]13Dec2008 M: "Please, No Complications"

shaw_mag

MUCH as actress Maggie Siu says she is unlike the strong-willed character she plays in The Gem Of Life, snatches of her TV alter-ego Sylvia Hong surfaced during a recent interview with The New Paper.

The Electric New Paper, Singapore, 13 Dec 2008

MUCH as actress Maggie Siu says she is unlike the strong-willed character she plays in The Gem Of Life, snatches of her TV alter-ego Sylvia Hong surfaced during a recent interview with The New Paper.

Set against the backdrop of the dazzling gem industry, the 82-episode TV series revolves around the lives of three sisters.

Maggie, 43, said: '(Eldest daughter) Sylvia is a stubborn woman who does not share her mother's materialistic view of love and marriage.

'I wonder, is this the case with all mother-daughter relationships? If you don't listen to mummy, then does it mean you're stubborn?'

If those questions were personal musings of her relationship with her mother, Maggie was not telling - just as how her character, an artiste manager, keeps her personal issues with her family away from the public.

Maggie said: 'She doesn't really approve of what her mother or sisters do. She will just tolerate them in public, but will return home to settle their differences privately.

'Plus, her job requires her to be a very decisive woman, one who knows what she really wants and will do anything to secure the best for the many artistes under her care.'

She also defended the common perception that artiste managers could sometimes be more difficult than their charges.

Maggie said: 'I feel it's the artistes who have more unreasonable demands than the managers.

'Often, the manager is just the middleman. Then again, I actually think it's fine for either party to be demanding.

'What's more important is the agenda you have in mind and ultimately, the end result.'

Whether it is Sylvia or the strong roles she usually plays, Maggie is often perceived to be a level-headed and no-nonsense woman.

But she disagreed: 'I'm not someone who'll insist on adhering to my principles. Essentially, I always believe there's room for discussion or negotiation.

'It all depends on the situation. Sometimes, when one is on unfamiliar ground, one could possibly be weak too.'

Despite that, her fans, such as housewife Ho Yue Ming, 44, still thinks of her as a tough cookie. Mrs Ho said: 'Look at how well she handled the betrayal from (actor) Ekin Cheng in the past.'

She was referring to Maggie's real-life relationship with Ekin. The couple dated for eight years before calling it quits in 2000, when singer Gigi Leung came into the picture. Ekin is now dating actress Yoyo Mung.

Mrs Ho, who has been Maggie's fan since she starred in TV series The Breaking Point in 1991, added: 'She bounced back quickly and focused completely on establishing a stronger foothold in acting.'

Maggie herself confessed: 'I'm someone who dislikes complication. If the situation gets sticky, I will just walk away to avoid being caught in it.'

Just like Sylvia has to deal with the paparazzi, Maggie has had her fair share of encounters.

'I guess they're all just doing their jobs. If we choose to think they're intruding on our private space, then they are.

'I adopt a very simple attitude and that is one of acceptance. This way, I would feel less bothered by them.'

- Maureen Koh

shaw_mag

4 Dec 2008

The Straits Times

Smitten by Gem

Bowie Lam's character of a doting boyfriend has viewers swooning and co-star Maggie Shiu head over heels in love

By jocelyn lee

The Gem of Life boasts a star-studded cast including (from left) Louise Lee, Bowie Lam, Maggie Shiu and Bosco Wong, who were in town for a press conference at Gallery Hotel. -- PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Popular Hong Kong actress Maggie Shiu is in love with fellow actor Bowie Lam's character, having acted as his girlfriend in the blockbuster drama series The Gem Of Life.

She says: 'I started to miss having such a doting boyfriend after the shoot was over.'

The 43-year-old is not the only smitten one.

Lam, also 43, reveals that many fans have been sending him love letters every day after his outstanding performance as a dream boyfriend in the 82-episode star-studded drama.

The Gem Of Life revolves around three sisters whose father works as a manager in a big jewellery company. Their mother believes that the key to a happy marriage is money and reminds them constantly to marry wealthy men in order to enter into high society.

Lam plays the eldest sister's boyfriend, who is the owner of an entertainment company. His character is an ambitious man who has a busy and successful career, yet still makes time for his girlfriend and cares a lot about her.

Lam, Shiu and co-stars Bosco Wong and Louise Lee were in town this week to promote the HK$100 million (S$19.7 million) drama, which is available here in VCD and DVD formats at video rental outlets.

Lam tells Life! in Mandarin at Gallery Hotel: 'The viewers, ranging from young kids to old women, all love my character in the show as I may be unreasonable at times but am still very caring and loving towards my girlfriend.'

But he is not so romantic in real life, he says. For one thing, he does not believe in giving jewellery to someone he likes.

Currently single, he says: 'I'd rather give my loved ones money because it's so much more practical. Jewellery doesn't appeal to me.'

The same goes for 28-year-old Wong, who plays a man who falls for the rich granddaughter of the jewellery company's owner. He says a guy should buy jewellery for his loved ones only once or twice a year because 'such acts will be meaningless if done too many times'.

Wong reveals he had felt very stressed acting with Lam in the drama. The boyish-looking actor says: 'Lam is a very good actor who is quiet and serious on set and I felt pressured to match his standards.'

Lam, who did not know about this prior to the press conference, says jokingly in return: 'Don't worry, I look fierce but I am not.'

Amid the jokes and laughter, the four artists say they are not too worried about their jobs in the light of the recent termination of more than 200 workers from their company, Television Broadcasts Limited, to cut costs. But they add that they feel very sad about their colleagues' departures.

Veteran actress Lee, 58, who plays the mother of the three sisters, says: 'It is heart-rending and I'm sure no company wants this to happen to its staff.'

Lam agrees, saying: 'Although I'm not directly affected, I know many people who worked behind the scenes. I feel upset that they have to lose their jobs now.'

feily

I only came for the pics...