Sheren Tang to Sacrifice Filming “War and Beauty 2″ for “Rosy Business 3″?

TVB’s two big trump card dramas, War and Beauty <金枝慾孽> and Rosy Business <巾幗梟雄> not only brought TVB’s ratings skyrocketing through the roof but also won several awards and launched the careers of several fadans and actors back then. Both dramas were renowned for their titles and the benefits they brought to their cast.

Producer Jonathan Chik (戚其義) and Lee Tim Sing (李添勝) have invariably decided to start filming continuing installments for War and Beauty and Rosy Business respectively. As these two series rocketed their previous cast to fame, many fadans and actors fought to stand out, hoping to snatch a role in them.

As for these two dramas, Sheren Tang (who must make a good decision and choose one over the other) was currently busy filming  dramas in mainland and diligently “digging gold” there. Furthermore, Sheren’s role as Concubine Yu Fei in War and Beauty was extremely likable among the audience and had received rave reviews for her performance. However, Sheren still failed to clinch the Best Actress award at that year’s TVB Anniversary Awards ceremony, which left her feeling dispirited and thus still unhappy over it.  Allegedly, Sheren didn’t display a positive reaction towards re-joining the War and Beauty drama team to appear in the sequel. In contrast though, Sheren immediately signed up for the third installment of Rosy Business without a word since the first two series garned her TV Queen awards two consecutive years in a row.

Sheren Tang’s Yu Fei Is Indispensable

The 2004 TVB blockbuster hit, War and Beauty, was re-broadcasted during the midnight slot in Hong Kong. The average ratings were at 7 points (approximately 430,000 viewers tuned in). Its force was indeed extremely tyrannical! In recent days, TVB carried out plans to shoot a sequel to War and Beauty. Executive Producer Jonathan Chik declared that the original cast would return to act in the series. However, Gigi Lai (黎姿) was currently enjoying life as a socialite after getting married to wealthy businessman Ma Ting Keung (馬廷強) and had since retired from showbiz, more or less confirming that she will no’t be returning for the sequel.

As for Bowie Lam (林保怡), he didn’t renew his contract with TVB. Hence, the original cast ofWar and Beauty who have temporarily been confirmed for the sequel were Charmaine Sheh(佘詩曼), Moses Chan (陳豪) and Maggie Cheung (張可頤). Even if new cast members such as  like Ada Choi (蔡少芬), Tavia Yeung (楊怡),  and Kate Tsui (徐子珊) were added, the most pressing issue at hand was whether Sheren Tang’s Yu Fei would re-join the War and Beauty cast.

Back then, Sheren’s performance as Concubine Yu Fei was highly raved by everyone hence the sequel couldn’t do without such a prominent character. However, it was no easy task for producer Jonathan Chik if he wanted Sheren back in his sequel. It was known that golden scriptwriter,Cheung Wah Biu (張華標), will return to TVB in October and had already been working on the script together with Tim Gor, thus confirming plans for Rosy Business 3. Although Rosy Business 3 will only be starting filming next April, War and Beauty 2 will start filming early next year. The production time for both series was closely knitted together, thus the chance of Sheren accepting both dramas was slim.

Sheren Tang Already Had a Consensus With Tim Gor

Back in 2004, despite her role as Yu Fei in War and Beauty receiving high praise from everyone, Sheren Tang only won a subtle “Best Supporting Actress” pork award. This allegedly left her with grudges even until today. On the other hand, the first and second installment of Rosy Business made Wayne Lai (黎耀祥) and Sheren Tang TV King and Queen respectively and for two consecutive years in a row. Wayne also experienced a dramatic career revival through Rosy Business, which enabled him to bring along his wife for shooting of advertisements.

Last year, Sheren accepted filming for mainland drama, New My Fair Princess<新還珠格格> for a shooting fee of $4 million Yuan. In recent days, apart from rushing to promote New My Fair Princess in mainland, due to her rising popularity, Sheren was also busy filming another mainland drama, City of Falling Snow <傾城說>for a filming fee of $50,000 RMB per episode.

An insider revealed, “Actually, both Ah Chik (Jonathan Chik) and Tim Gor contacted Sheren but she said she had to assess the situation first. In fact, Sheren had previously reached a consensus with Tim Gor. Although filming in TVB would mean a low pay but Rosy Businessbrought Sheren the TV Queen award for two consecutive years.  Hence, Sheren had already privately told Tim Gor that she would definitely help him.

“As for War and Beauty, Sheren might not act in it again because firstly, taking time off her mainland filming is tough and secondly, Sheren herself said that this drama ddid not “bring luck” (老黎) to her. We also truly understand that in actual fact, Sheren really minds about not being awarded the Best Actress Award at that time.”

Two Trump-Card Productions

In the last few years, TVB’s two blockbuster dramas, War and Beauty and Rosy Businessraked in remarkable ratings and was highly acclaimed in Asia. Those who had participated in the dramas experienced a massive surge in their popularity and even swept away all the TVB awards. This made Poducers Jonathan Chik and Tim Gor known as the generals that brought prosperity to their cast.

It was known that Tavia’s turn as a villain in Beyond the Realm of Conscience <宮心計>was exceptionally good, thus catching the eye of Jonathan. As a result, Tavia was arranged to act in a heavy-weight role for War and Beauty 2.

To repay her gratitude to Tim Gor, it was known that Sheren had already agreed to take time off filming in mainland to accept filming for Rosy Business 3.

A Recap of War and Beauty and  Rosy Business’ Startling Success

War and Beauty

At the 2004 TVB Anniversary Awards, Sheren Tang attended in high hopes of winning the Best Actress Award, only to be left feeling disappointed when she and Chan Hung Lit (陳鴻烈) were only awarded the Best Supporting Actress and Actor awards respectively. Sheren was spotted with an expression of unhappiness.

Executive Producer: Jonathan Chik

Cast members: Sheren Tang, Gigi Lai, Maggie Cheung Ho Yee, Charmaine Sheh, Bowie Lam and Moses Chan

Episodes: 30

Highest ratings: 41 points

2004 TVB Anniversary Awards:
My Most Favorite Male Actor (equivalent to a Best Actor award back then): Bowie Lam
My Most Favorite Female Actress (equivalent to a Best Actress award back then): Gigi Lai
My Most Favorite Male Supporting Actor: Chan Hung Lit
My Most Favorite Female Supporting Actress: Sheren Tang
My Most Favorite TV Characters: Sheren Tang, Bowie Lam, Moses Chan, Charmaine Sheh and Gigi Lai.

Rosy Business

Executive Producer: Lee Tim-Shing

Cast members: Sheren Tang, Wayne Lai, Ron Ng (吳卓羲), Kiki Sheung (商天娥), Susan Tse (謝雪心), Kara Hui (惠英紅), Elliot Ngok (岳華), Nancy Wu (胡定欣) and Pierre Ngo (敖嘉年)

Episodes: 25

Highest ratings: 47 points

2009 TVB Anniversary Awards:
Best Drama of the Year

Best Actor: Wayne Lai
Best Actress: Sheren Tang
Best Supporting Actress: Susan Tse
My Most Favorite TV Male Character: Wayne Lai for the role of “Chai Gau”
Most Improved Male Actor: Pierre Ngo

Rosy Business 2- No Regrets

Due to their marvelous acting performance in No Regrets, Sheren Tang and Wayne Lai continued their streak of good luck and became TV Queen and King again, managing to suppress Charmaine Sheh and Moses Chan.

Executive Producer: Lee Tim-Shing

Cast members: Sheren Tang, Wayne Lai, Kara Hui, Fala Chen (陳法拉), Raymond Wong (黃浩然), Susan Tse, Pierre Ngo, Evergreen Mak (麥長青) and King Kong (金剛)

Episodes: 32

Highest Ratings: 47 points

2010 TVB Anniversary Awards:
Best Actor: Wayne Lai
Best Actress: Sheren Tang
Best Supporting Actor: Evergreen Mak
Best Supporting Actress: Fala Chen
Most Improved Male Actor: Raymond Wong

Credits:

Jaynestars.com

Translated by Ah K