Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Yim Wai Ling/Mai Shuet


Michelle Yim


Early life and career

In 1975, Yim joined Commercial Television (CTV), and began her journey onto the television circles. In 1976, Yim acted in Legend of the Condor Heroes, a Wuxia TV series adaptation of Louis Cha's novel of the same title. For the first time, Yim took up the role as a female lead, portraying the character Wong Yung. This drama not only shot her into the limelight, but also created the first one million ratings in the television history. At that point she was named the "first and ever Wong Yung".[citation needed] She has since been awarded the Top Ten Artiste Award several times.
With the closure of CTV in 1978, Yim became a contract-free actress, and many companies were vying to sign her up.[citation needed] One of the companies, Television Broadcasts (TVB) managed to invite her to guest-star in one of the period drama, The Twins, which later become one of her best works.


Career: the 1980s and 1990s

During the 1980s, Yim signed and joined Rediffusion Television (RTV) (now ATV). There, she acted in several well-known drama serials, such as The DynastyThe Radical CityTai Chi MasterPrincess Cheung PingThe Legendary Fok and more, earning her the title of the "Princess of Wuxia Drama".
After her contract with RTV terminated, Yim was once again a contract-free actress, and this allowed her to work for the two companies (TVB and ATV) more easily. However, such situation is considered rare due to the intense competition between the two broadcasting companies. Examples like The Legend of Master Soand Tiger Hill Trail are still fondly remembered by the Chinese, especially the latter.
Other than films and television dramas, she has also acted in live performances. In 1982, she was invited by Roman Tam to perform in a musical play called Madame White Snake, portraying the role as the Green Snake. The cast included Roman Tam and Liza Wang. The responses were tremendous, and the trio was asked to perform in several large events on different occasions.[citation needed]
In 1985, Yim returned to ATV and agreed to film a certain number of drama serials a year as part of her filming contract. At the same year, together with Damian Lau, she filmed a period drama, Chronicles of the Shadow Swordman, adapted from one of Wuxia writer Liang Yusheng's works. This drama received many praises and critical acclaims of their impressive performances, pushing them into next higher point. Since then, both were entitled the name of "Best Onscreen Couples/Lovebirds", and collaborated in many drama serials. Even now, they are still recognized as the best and ever duo in television industry.[citation needed]
In 1990, she performed in another musical play, Cyrano De Bergerac, a story adapted from French literature. Her co-star was Adam Cheng. This play undeniably increased her exposure to the performing arts, and allowed her to take part more in musicals in the future. Yim signed a contract with TVB in 1993, acting in a 300+ episodes sitcom, Mind Our Own Business. Together with the rest of that cast, she performed in another musical play (The Flirty Doctor). She was involved in a musical play (I Have a Date with Spring) with Alice Lau as well.


Recent career

In 2000, Yim and Damian Lau starred as Cheung Mo-kei's parents in the TVB Wuxia drama, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. Their performances were well-received, and both were praised and applauded for their acting. Especially Yim, past 40 yet capable of portraying the twenty-year-old heroine to acclaim. As such, she won the name of "The Forever Youthful".
Since 2000, she has been actively involved in several shows, including filming for drama serials, dancing, musical play, game shows, and even cooperated with overseas broadcasts companies. Cash Is King (2002) and The Rainbow Connection (2005) showed good examples. She has also hosted in programmes such as On the Road and Life In Frame (光影流情).
Yim's most recent drama serial, TVB's Moonlight Resonance, aired in July 2008. In this TVB's blockbuster serial, she portrays the villainous second wife, Yan Hung, who plots to have the family separated. Her performance in this serial has won her many praises and recognition. Yim won the Best Actress in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2008. In the final episode of Moonlight Resonance, which has the rating of over 47, the drama reached its peak at 50 rating during the scene when Yan Hung (character portrayed by Yim) slapped her daughter and shouted angrily to everyone present in her house.
On 3 December 2009, Yim won the Best Drama Performance by an Actress Award at the Asian Television Awards 2009 for her role inMoonlight Resonance.


Personal life

Michelle Yim had been in a long-term relationship with former soccer player and fellow actor, Wan Chi-keung, who died on 16 February 2010.[1] They had been dating for many years, but Yim never considered getting married. When Wan was in hospital, Yim agreed to marry him.[citation needed] When Wan died, Yim held her tears and carried on working twenty hours straight for Beauty Knows No Pain.[citation needed]However, during Wan's funeral, she could no longer hold back her tears, hiding behind close friends as she wept. When leaving she was only able to utter a few words 'please make way for me'. Yim was very emotional at Wan's funeral.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNetworkTVB Anniversary AwardsNotes
1975Ups and Downs
樓上樓下
CTV
1976Saga of Sui & Tang Dynasty
隋唐風雲
CTV
Legend of the Condor Heroes
射雕英雄傳
Wong YungCTV1st Female Lead
The Return of the Condor Heroes
神雕俠侶
Wong YungCTV
Heroes From Guangdong
廣東好漢
CTV
Blindness
雌雄金剛之盲禍
CTV
1977Small vs Big
細魚食大魚
CTV
Side Story of the Pugilistic World
武林外史
CTV
YeePik Wan Tin
義薄雲天
CTV
Dream of the Red Chamber
紅樓夢
CTV
1978Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain
雪山飛狐
Yuen Tsi-yee
袁紫衣
CTV2nd Female Lead
Love Affairs
名流情史
CTV
The Wind and Thunderous Saber
風雷第一刀
CTV
1979The Twins
絕代雙驕
So YingTVB
1980On The Waterfront
湖海争霸录
RTV
The Dynasty
大内群英
RTV
Fatherland (II) - Radical City
大地恩情之古都惊雷
RTV
Tai Chi Master
太極張三豐
To Choi-yiRTV
1981The Coma
大昏迷
RTV
Princess Cheung Ping
武俠帝女花
RTV
The Legendary Fok
大俠霍元甲
Chiu Sin-namRTV
1982Hong Kong'82
香港82
TVB
The Legend of Master So
蘇乞兒
Siu LingTVB
1983Tiger Hill Trail
再向虎山行
ATV
Heroes From Zhujiang
珠江群龍
ATV
1984The Undercover Agents
四大名捕
ATV
Below The Lion Rock
獅子山下之落雨擔遮
RTHK
Miracle of the Orient I
香江歲月1
RTHK
1985Chronicles of the Shadow Swordman
萍蹤俠影錄
Wan Lui
雲蕾
ATV1st Female Lead
Romance of the Maples Leaves
楓葉盟
TTV
The Legendary Prime Minister - Zhuge Liang
諸葛亮
ATV
Chor Lau-heung
楚留香新傳
Su Rongrong / Su MangmangCTV
1986Rise of the Great Wall
秦始皇
Suet-yingATV
The Royal Sword
金劍神傳
Lady C.I.D
柔情點三八
ATV
1987Laugh In The Sleeves
啼笑姻緣
ATV
1988Mai Wan
迷魂
ATV
The Formidable Lady From Shaolin
少林與詠春
Yim Wing-chunTVB
Law and Order
法網柔情
ATV
Hung Ling
凶靈
ATV
Storm In October
十月風暴
ATV
August Scent
八月桂花香
TTV
1989Lady Enforcer
皇家儷人
ATV
1990Heaven's Retribution
還看今朝
Shum Suet-yingATV
Bloodshed Over the Forbidden City
血染紫禁城
Empress Dowager CixiATV
Last Song for Killer
殺手輓歌
ATV
1991The Good Fella From Temple Street
廟街豪情
Cheung Wai-takATV
Legend of A Beauty
一代天驕
SBC
1992Queen of the Opera
香港傳奇人物之天之嬌女
ATV
Casanova In China
伯虎为卿狂
Mui Lan-sinATV
AIDS Carrier
性本善之帶菌者
RTHK
Return To The Truth
還我今生
Lam Suk-hanATV
Mythical Crane and Magical Needle 92
仙鶴神針
Lam Chui-dipATV
1993CYC Family
CYC家族
Mind Our Own Business
開心華之里
Ching Yu-chuTVB
1995Down Memory Lane
萬里長情
Yuen Sau-lanTVB
Justice Pao
包青天之滄海月明珠有淚
Ngok Ming-chuATV
1996Justice Pao
包青天之忘情酒坊
To Sap-samTVB1st Female Lead
King of Gambler
千王之王重出江湖
Sam Siu-chunATV
Miracle of the Orient II
香江歲月II
RTHK
1997The Snow is Red
雪花神劍
Nip Mei-neungATV
1998King Fei Kau Leung Chu Sam Kok
警匪較量珠三角
2000Bond of Friendship
人間友情
HVD1st Female Lead
2001Reaching Out
美麗人生
Chan KiuTVB
The Heaven Sword & The Dragon SabreYan So-soTVBSupporting Role
2002Cash is King
勝券在握
Leung Bing-bingSPH
2004Venture Against Time
子是故人來
Sing Mei-kuenATV
2005The AcademyChan Yin-TingTVBSupporting Role
The Rainbow Connection
舞出彩虹
Ching Rui-suetMediaCorp3rd Female Lead
The Gentle Crackdown
秀才遇著兵
Gam YingTVBNominated - Best Supporting Actress (Top 5)2nd Female Lead
Into Thin Air
人間蒸發
Kong Lai-pingTVBSupporting Role
2007The Brink of Law
突圍行動
Sung Gam-chiTVBNominated - Best Actress (Top 20)4th Female Lead
Heart of Greed
溏心風暴
Ling Lei
凌莉
TVBNominated - My Favourite Female Character (Top 24)4th Female Lead
On the First Beat
學警出更
Chan Yin-ting
陳燕婷
TVBSupporting Role
ICAC Investigators 2007
廉政行動2007
Lei Yuet-kuen
李月娟
TVB1st Female Lead
2008Moonlight Resonance
溏心風暴之家好月圓
Yan Hung
殷紅
TVBWon - Best Actress2nd Female Lead
Love Tribulations
鎖清秋
Yin Shi-hong
殷惜紅
GZBN3rd Female Lead
2009Beyond the Realm of Conscience
宮心計
Chung Suet-ha
鍾雪霞
TVBNominated - Best Supporting Actress (Top 5)3rd Female Lead
The Great Handmaiden
大丫鬟
Liang Yu-yu
梁玉茹
HNETV3rd Female Lead
2010The Season of Fate
五味人生
Wang Yeuk-lam
汪若嵐
TVBNominated - Best Actress (Top 15)2nd Female Lead
Beauty Knows No Pain
女人最痛
Wong Hoi-king, Noble
汪海鯨
TVB2nd Female Lead
Show Me the Happy
依家有喜
Chai Chuen, Anna
齊荃
TVB2nd Female Lead
2011The Great Eunuch
大太監
Empress Dowager Cixi
慈禧太后
TVB1st Female Lead
Television


Musical stage performances

YearTitleNotes
1982Madame White Snake
白蛇傳
1990Cyrano De Bergerac
美人如玉劍如虹
1992Tin Nui San Wah
天女散華
1995The Flirty Doctor
風流醫生手尾長
My Date With Spring
我和春天有個約會
1996Hu Du Men
虎度門
2001The Butterfly Lovers
梁祝
guest star

Monday, January 31, 2011

What is Happiness?




What is the purpose of life? It is to become happy. Whatever country or society people live in, they all have the same deep desire: to become happy. 


Yet, there are few ideals as difficult to grasp as that of happiness. In our daily life we constantly experience happiness and unhappiness, but we are still quite ignorant as to what happiness really is. 


A young friend of mine once spent a long time trying to work out what happiness was, particularly happiness for women. When she first thought about happiness she saw it as a matter of becoming financially secure or getting married. (The view in Japanese society then was that happiness for a woman was only to be found in marriage.) But looking at friends who were married, she realized that marriage didn't necessarily guarantee happiness. 


She saw couples who had been passionately in love suffering from discord soon after their wedding. She saw women who had married men with money or status but who fought constantly with their husbands. 


Gradually, she realized that the secret of happiness lay in building a strong inner self that no trial or hardship could ruin. She saw that happiness for anyone - man or woman - does not come simply from having a formal education, from wealth or from marriage. It begins with having the strength to confront and conquer one's own weaknesses. Only then does it become possible to lead a truly happy life and enjoy a successful marriage. 


She finally told me, "Now I can say with confidence that happiness doesn't exist in the past or in the future. It only exists within our state of life right now, here in the present, as we face the challenges of daily life." 


I agree entirely. You yourself know best whether you are feeling joy or struggling with suffering. These things are not known to other people. Even a man who has great wealth, social recognition and many awards may still be shadowed by indescribable suffering deep in his heart. On the other hand, an elderly woman who is not fortunate financially, leading a simple life alone, may feel the sun of joy and happiness rising in her heart each day. 


Happiness is not a life without problems, but rather the strength to overcome the problems that come our way. There is no such thing as a problem-free life; difficulties are unavoidable. But how we experience and react to our problems depends on us. Buddhism teaches that we are each responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness. Our vitality - the amount of energy or "life-force" we have - is in fact the single most important factor in determining whether or not we are happy. 


True happiness is to be found within, in the state of our hearts. It does not exist on the far side of some distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. However much you try, you can never run away from yourself. And if you are weak, suffering will follow you wherever you go. You will never find happiness if you don't challenge your weaknesses and change yourself from within. 


Happiness is to be found in the dynamism and energy of your own life as you struggle to overcome one obstacle after another. This is why I believe that a person who is active and free from fear is truly happy. 


The challenges we face in life can be compared to a tall mountain, rising before a mountain climber. For someone who has not trained properly, whose muscles and reflexes are weak and slow, every inch of the climb will be filled with terror and pain. The exact same climb, however, will be a thrilling journey for someone who is prepared, whose legs and arms have been strengthened by constant training. With each step forward and up, beautiful new views will come into sight. 


My teacher used to talk about two kinds of happiness - "relative" and "absolute" happiness. Relative happiness is happiness that depends on things outside ourselves: friends and family, surroundings, the size of our home or family income. 


This is what we feel when a desire is fulfilled, or something we have longed for is obtained. While the happiness such things bring us is certainly real, the fact is that none of this lasts forever. Things change. People change. This kind of happiness shatters easily when external conditions alter. 


Relative happiness is also based on comparison with others. We may feel this kind of happiness at having a newer or bigger home than the neighbors. But that feeling turns to misery the moment they start making new additions to theirs! 


Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is something we must find within. It means establishing a state of life in which we are never defeated by trials and where just being alive is a source of great joy. This persists no matter what we might be lacking, or what might happen around us. A deep sense of joy is something which can only exist in the innermost reaches of our life, and which cannot be destroyed by any external forces. It is eternal and inexhaustible. 


This kind of satisfaction is to be found in consistent and repeated effort, so that we can say, "Today, again, I did my very best. Today, again, I have no regrets. Today, again, I won." The accumulated result of such efforts is a life of great victory. 


What we should compare is not ourselves against others. We should compare who we are today against who we were yesterday, who we are today against who we will be tomorrow. While this may seem simple and obvious, true happiness is found in a life of constant advancement. And the same worries that could have made us miserable can actually be a source of growth when we approach them with courage and wisdom. 


One friend whose dramatic life proved this was Natalia Satz, who founded the first children's theater in Moscow. In the 1930s, she and her husband were marked by Soviet Union's secret police. Even though they were guilty of no crime, her husband was arrested and executed and she was sent to a prison camp in the frozen depths of Siberia.


After she recovered from the initial shock, she started looking at her situation, not with despair, but for opportunity. She realized that many of her fellow prisoners had special skills and talents. She began organizing a "university," encouraging the prisoners to share their knowledge. "You. You are a scientist. Teach us about science. You are an artist. Talk to us about art." 


In this way, the boredom and terror of the prison camp were transformed into the joy of learning and teaching. Eventually, Mrs. Satz even made use of her own unique talents to organize a theater group. She survived the five-year prison sentence, and dedicated the rest of her long life to creating children's theater. When we met for the first time in Moscow in 1981, she was already in her 80s. She was as radiant and buoyant as a young girl. Her smile was the smile of someone who has triumphed over the hardships of life. Hers is the kind of spirit I had in mind when I wrote the following poem on "Happiness": 
A person with a vast heart is happy.
Such a person lives each day with a broad and embracing spirit.
A person with a strong will is happy.
Such a person can confidently enjoy life, never defeated by suffering.
A person with a profound spirit is happy.
Such a person can savor life's depths
while creating meaning and value that will last for eternity.
A person with a pure mind is happy.
Such a person is always surrounded by refreshing breezes of joy.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Erh...

ERR,I'm tired.You know what,I just finish 20 books of homework from early morning to midnight.Now,I can enjoy my holiday.GOOD NEWS.


From Lady GaGa,Paparazzi


We are the crowd
We're co-coming out
Got my flash on, it's true
Need that picture of you

It's so magical
We'd be so fantastical

Leather and jeans
Garage glamorous
Not sure what it means
But this photo of us

It don't have a price
Ready for those flashing lights
'Cause you know that, baby, I

I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

Baby, there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-paparazzi

Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop
Until that boy is mine

Baby, you'll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

I'll be your girl
Backstage at your show
Velvet ropes and guitars
Yeah, 'cause you know I'm starting

Between the sets
Eyeliner and all the rest

Shadow is burnt
Yellow dance in return
My lashes are dry
Purple teardrops I cry

It don't have a price
Loving you is cherry pie
'Cause you know that, baby, I

I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

Baby, there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-paparazzi

Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop
Until that boy is mine

Baby, you'll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

(Real good)
We're dancin' in the studio
(Stop, stop)
That song on the radio

(Don't stop)
For anyone
We're plastic but
We'll still have fun

I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

Baby, there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-paparazzi

Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop
Until that boy is mine

Baby, you'll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi