March 6, 2009 - Baccarat Magazine - Ekin Cheng - 40 years old - A Charmed Life
Ekin really is a person, who in his movies is like a foreign model, tall, healthy, handsome face, hair loose. The fact is this famous person, as expected will have a healthy way of speaking. At 40 years old, Ekin feels extremely cheerful towards life, so speaking of his personality, his achievements and a pretty girlfriend, it is no wonder that his face looks satisfied.
An advertisement model he began his career at TVB. Relatively unknown until 1996, when he was cast as Chan Ho Nam in the Young and Dangerous series of movies only then did he rise to fame. In those days as a singer he was also a popular idol. His album sales volume had a certain guarantee. Now he doesn't raise the music business. Regarding being unable to again an exhibition of songs plans there is some regret. He finally released a best of album in 2004 《Discover》. The album contained four new compositions. Ekin hopes that next year he is able to begin a concert. However, currently he is in the process of of putting his hard work into his acting.
Ekin has been on the big screen for 15 years. Ekin is finally beginning to break away from handsome young hero roles. last year was a watershed year. First he shaved his head for the TV drama Huo Yuan Jia, losing his for many years trademark long hair. Then for the movie Rule #1 to play the part of jaded Inspector Wong he needed to put on weight. Ekin admits that both of these body changes were not easy, however Rule #1 brought both challenges and experience, and he feels very satisfied. The sacrifice very quickly brought returns, This movie brought him the top prize of Best Male Actor, at South Korea's Puchon International Film Festival, His developed skill finally brought him recognition.
Ekin smiles," Usually the make up of a role comes from myself, now the cultural load of being handsome and young's responsibility is left behind, and I am then able to play the part of a fat person. In the past I just accepted things, now finally, I am able for the first time to emerge. I am very happy I will have the energy to concentrate on creating many different character roles."
He almost crazily looks back, to examine his accumulated life experiences, causing him to become more mature. With his determination to escape " the handsome male vase" he has the power to act something untreated. "In Hong Kong actors are very passive, you only do what the director asks you to do. Actors are also unlikely to go out and search for their desired role. Everything is from the director's research of an actor's previous works, and then decides whether he fits a certain role."
Previously unexpected among his 50 or more movies his favorite surprisingly, is one the movie critics shot down culturally not worth anything, being the 1998 《幻影特攻》 Hot War. Ekin said, "At this time for example, this was considered to be a break the rules movie, because 《廿二世纪杀人网络》(Matrix) at this time was not yet released. Hot War already dealt with similar computer emulation study concepts. Hong Kong basically didn't have the funds to film this kind of movie. The shooting of Hot War was actually taking a risk, although the result was not too successful, but still when the movie was released, to me for example, the film only cause a complete dreamland really." Ekin really is worthy of a science and technology sentimentality, so this may have something to do with agreeing to do a science and technology movie. From the audience perspective the outside model seems similar to his cartoon characters. His master works being 《古惑仔》Young and Dangerous series or 《风云》The Storm Riders.
In recent years Ekin's reduction in production has been replaced with charity work, and he is a frequent special guest. He is already a well know World Wildlife Fund Ambassador for the Ocean Environment. Also The United Nations Children's Fund produces an Ekin dressed in black and wearing sneakers to participate in their events. Ultimately though, he doesn't depend on running to keep fit., he also twice a week plays badminton with his girlfriend Yoyo Mung in Kowloon. They both because of their enjoyment of badminton originally got to know each other. Still can not believe that he can keep this sports habit and mot be discovered by the paparazzi.
Bringing up Yoyo, unavoidable to ask whether he has plans to settle down, among his contemporaries several have recently become fathers. According to Ekin's neighbors he finds young children very cute. However, he claims with Yoyo to still have not spoken about getting married of giving birth to a son. " We very much enjoy life. it is unlikely we will take the step to move to a new life phase, I am naturally asked this thing, In addition the International situation of instability is not a good time to bring a child into this world, however this is not the reason have no plans to start a family. Ekin has a cousin in New York who recently adopted a child, he possibly do the same. There is a day when perhaps I will imitate him, the world has too many children without parents, children with nobody to love them."
Ekin's age has made him sanguine, he has never before brought up such complexities, however he revealed that last year when he turned 40 years old he suddenly had an awareness, a feeling that something will happen. " I don't know what thing, unclear as to whether it will be good or bad, until now I have not have any life turnaround moment emerge." Because leisure suits his temperament, regardless of what major event might befall him, he certainly will be able to be indifferent and calm.