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Gallen Lo

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To claim Gallen as a TVB theme is rather comical. Yet, one cannot argue he is indeed the selling point of TVB's 2008 production - "When A Dog Loves A Cat". I highly doubt many viewers would tune in for the show if the cast did not consist of him. Why is this actor so influential to the Hong Kong audience and worldwide? To answer this question, let's turn to Mimosa from Gallen Harbour for an intimate look into the life and career of Gallen Lo.

From Sai Di to Yat Gor - Just another Story of a TVB Son

It started from a dream, a borrowed dream (*). He sang of a future seemingly unattainable.

He came home that night empty-handed, ready to resume reality. At least he tried. At least he knew there was someone so special who understood him more than himself. It was she, his significant other, who filled out the application form and urged him to go for the TVB 1984 New Talent Contest.

Her effort didn't go unpaid. A talent scout by the name of James Lu contacted them shortly after the event, offering Gallen a managing contract.

He stood there at the crossroad. He could go back to reality, working solidly on his night classes and his plan of breaking into construction and architecture. His family would be surely, though not greatly, provided for. His parents needed help to pay for his older sister's treatment for autism and his younger siblings' education, and they were getting older each day.

Or he could just take the risk. Just follow his dream.

Gallen did, and the story of a TVB son began soon after (**).

When my heart has made its decision...

On the set of his very first TV drama, "Seasons", everyone conveniently addressed him as Sai Di - Little Brother, his character's pet name. Sai Di was very much a decorative item than anything else. He was easy to look at, and his personality was as soft as that of a lamb. But at least Sai Di of "Seasons" talked. Sai Di of TVB didn't. He was shy, reserved, and kept to himself most of the time. His lack of experience, both in acting and socializing, was detrimental to his budding career.

TVB rushed Sai Di into a co-leading male position a little prematurely with "Battle in the Royal Court", acting alongside Eddie Cheung and opposite Margie Tsang. The series earned the greenhorn a title which no one could be proud of - the Wooden Figure. Needless to say, it was hurtful. But it was motivating at the same time. It pushed him to spend all the time he could spare observing the way his "brothers" and "sisters" acted around the huge studio. He asked for recommendations on movies, television shows, and books from the veterans. Quietly, he worked on his skills, all the while treating each and every assignment as a chance to practice. After a long list of series in which he patiently acted as supported characters, Gallen was given a second chance in "The Survivor", acting opposite Maggie Siu and Amy Chan. This time, Sai Di did survive and one could see his acting had improved tremendously. Credit, however, was aptly given to the tragic, twisted script and his beautiful, talented co-stars.

Next came "Vengeance". Sai Di was back to be a little brother, but he was no longer a lamb. Ruthless to say the least, Kiu Lik captured the audience's attention with the violent sparks in those brown eyes. They told tales. Gallen Lo officially became a household name, albeit for the wrong reason.

The playful and romantic emperor of "The Last Conquest" easily redeemed Gallen's name with his amusing wit and mesmerizing glances, but not for long. Kiu Lik was back, and even more evil, in "Ambition", one of the few TVB series where the male lead was also the antagonist. His co-stars this time included Michael Tao, Noel Leung and Amy Kwok. The twisted and sickening tale was brought to life so vividly and convincingly, so much so that Gallen became one of the most detested antagonists at the time the series was aired.

The next period was relatively fun and pressure-free. Everything was a learning experience. Every role was a chance for Gallen to further fine-tune his skills. He had grown to know himself now; he had found a way to work his strengths and learned to manage his weaknesses. All it needed was a breakthrough script, something edgy, something high-profile. Such a thing may be hard to find, but it came at last in 1996.

"Cold Blood Warm Heart", being an anniversary show, was high-profile, large-budgeted, and star-studded. The cast was led by veteran Adam Cheng and featured hot favorites like Maggie Cheung, Jessica Hsuan, Louis Koo, and Julian Cheung. It was not the first time Gallen played the antagonist, but never had he acted opposite that powerful of an ensemble. The length, originally set at 60 episodes and finalized at 65, was another factor that added to the overall pressure. By accepting the arrangement of playing Tsui Ka Lup, Gallen knew he put his whole career at stake. It was a hit-or-miss, but he might as well use this opportunity to demonstrate his versatility, to show that Gallen Lo could be bad, in a good way. After all, there would be a lot more room for creativity while portraying a villain and Gallen thought he would enjoy the freedom of adding more dimension to the role. In retrospect and on a much lighter note, he commented that TVB was just trying to entice the audience with a new flavor of Gallen Lo.

To make the long story short, Gallen delivered. Not many villains could command sympathy, and even love, from the audience. Tsui did. In fact, Tsui was the first antagonist who made his way onto the top ten favorite television characters list of the annual Next Magazine Awards. It was heart-wrenching seeing him slipped, succumbed to evil, and never redeemed.

Gallen earned more than just recognition from "Cold Blood Warm Heart". He walked away from the set with a precious friendship, which turned out to be strong and long-lasting, with two younger co-stars by the names of Jessica Hsuan and Louis Koo. As Gallen once shared, he'd learned since a young age the art of listening, and his friends would seek him out whenever they need a confidant. Talking about Gallen's friends, one cannot fail to mention Roger Kwok. Attending the same Talent contest, Gallen and Roger set off at almost the same time, but proceeded at much different paces. At the beginning of their careers, the two were casted together in numerous projects, including the classic "The Final Verdict", starring Adam Cheng. Roger's career, however, was a relatively smoother sail. Their paths diverged for awhile, with Roger took on one leading role after the other, and Gallen struggled to get free of the unwanted Wooden Figure. Not until 1999 did the two friends meet again on the set of TVB mega production "At the Threshold of the Era."

Before the turn of the era, came the turn in Gallen's life, both professional and personal. Immediately following the success of "Cold Blood Warm Heart", the undeniable chemistry between Gallen and co-star Maggie Cheung, as well as Gallen's versatility, was put to test on another project - this time, a comedy. To make matter worse (or more challenging), the script only stated the outlines of the story, including at most the location and the events that were supposed to take place. There was no "script", as in dialogues. The cast were free to make up their own, and that was exactly why "Old Time Buddy" top Gallen's list of most memorable working experiences. Gallen credited co-star Francis Ng for all the wild fun they had on set, as well as many valuable tips the latter was willing to share. "Old Time Buddy" was a huge hit, leading to a sequel, a movie, a double-platinum album, and a golden couple loved and missed by many fans. "Old Time Buddy's" Kei Gor also helped Gallen win his first "Best Actor" award at TVB 1997 anniversary. The talented Esther Kwan won Best Actress the same year.

It was 11 long years for the shy and quiet Sai Di to grow into the well-loved and popular Yat Gor. With the new title, came new and greater responsibilities. But before he tackled them, Gallen had one single important thing he had long wanted to do. There was this very special someone who had always been there by his side. And if he was to share his moment of happiness with any person, it had to be her - his first, and true, love. Gallen asked for her hand, and on a beautiful autumn day adorned with blue ocean waves and white lilies, they exchanged vows amid the loving circle of family and friends. He wasn't afraid of compromising his career with the marriage. He sincerely believed his fans would not turn their backs. As he half-jokingly put it, he was not an "idol" actor by any chance.

Then suddenly, in his self-casted role of a husband, Gallen was back to square one. The lack of experience and communication this time robbed the world of a beautiful fairy love tale.

Whom am I devoting my heart to?

The car accident on the eve of his birthday in 2002 was unquestionably the most regretful turn of event, but not an entirely unforeseen one. Leading to that was a long, stressful period filled with bad health, overloaded working schedules and series of nonstop negative rumors about a troubled marriage. The alleged extramarital affair, implicating his female co-star and best friend Jessica Hsuan, was the talk of the bustling town for almost the entire second half of 2002. It was undeniably a juicy love triangle upon which the press was simply ecstatic, but Gallen ruined it for all by openly admitting that his marriage was indeed in trouble due to negligence entirely from his part. Seemingly, the art of balancing work and life in a committed relationship was much more challenging to be mastered than the art of acting, at least in his case. Love ballads and demure glances would find it quite hard to work their magic in the lack of efficient communication between husband and wife. So there, out the window, went the perfect husband image, but Gallen believed that was the right and only thing he could do - to tell the truth. After all, realizing the problem was the very first and crucial step toward remediation. The accident, as regrettable as it was, forced the couple to look pass the troubled surface and go on a quest for a deeper meaning to their relationship. Six years later, in July of 2008 and just a mere two months before their 10th anniversary, Gallen and Clare chose to end their bond as husband and wife. The two resumed their friendship in which she remains the one who cares about and understands him the most.

During his search for a way to savage his marriage back in 2002, Gallen was prompted to shift his life's priorities around. Among many decisions was one that left many of his fans devastated and almost brought this story about a TVB son to an abrupt end - leaving TVB. Hoping to lessen the pressure of his professional life and hence have more time toward family, Gallen terminated his long term contract with TVB and signed with Universe in 2003. Even when he was "away" working elsewhere, Gallen was often seen coming back to TVB to share the joy of a happy occasion or to bear the sorrow of sad times.

July of 2008 came bearing the gloom of a shattered fairy tale, but one might seek comfort in the warmth of a homecoming. Amid his long weathered journey, Gallen has decided to return home for a little while. A light-hearted comedy will meet with the audience this coming July 21st, while a 40-episode drama is currently underway.

And who has stopped for me?

Gallen disagreed when asked whether his path had been turbulent, though his talent was evidently realized through sweats and tears. To him, TVB was more than just any cold-blooded corporation. There were a lot of warm hearts who had stopped for him, who had been willing to lend a hand along the way, even if it was just for a reassuring pat on the back. This training ground was strict and demanding, but at the same time safe and nurturing. It was, like Gallen has stated in all sincerity, a second home. He wouldn't be the Gallen Lo everyone knows of today, if it wasn't for a television station called TVB.

There wasn't much craziness in his life, but Gallen admitted the risk factor existed in every decision he'd made. He had not regretted any of them, however, be that of the decision to enter TVB and make it a home, to leave that home after 16 years, or to accept each and every acting role in between. The audience might or might not have appreciated his effort in breathing a unique life into every single one of his characters, but that had always been Gallen's goal. It will remain his navigator through the ocean of challenges and opportunities outside TVB.

It truly doesn't matter where his path will later lead, since there will always be that nostalgic pride of being an ex-TVB actor to accompany his future dream-catching missions.

References

Lin, Yanni. "Gallen Lo: My Life Lacks of Craziness." NanFang Daily. 04 Feb 2007. <URL>

Wang, Jiang Yue. "Gallen Lo - The New Good Man of HK Showbiz." BQWeekly - YNET. 28 June 2007. Accessed 10 Apr 2008 <http://msn.ynet.com/bqweekly/view.jsp?oid=21641925>

"Gallen Lo Interview." Movie and TV - CCTV. 19 Aug 2006 [Video | Script]

"Reborn." I Weekly. 04 May 2005 [English Translation]

"Gallen Lo Interview." Express Weekly. 29 Apr 2005 [English Translation]

(*) "Sweet Borrowed Dream" -
Performed at 1984 TVB New Talent Contest by Gallen Lo

借來的美夢

彭健新 彭健新
鄭國江 鄭國江

繁榮鬧市 人近個心不接近
人常在笑 誰又笑得真
人又似天天去等
夢想總不會近
人漸老 那希望 變做遺憾

繁榮暫借 難望遠景只看近
浮華暫借 難望會生根
誰願意想得太深 但這心早烙下印
毋問我 每分力 是為誰贈

這是片 暫借的快樂遮不了恨
這是個 暫借的美夢生不了根
繁榮現象又似路人
在你身邊不顧地過
誰為你 誰為我 我不禁 問

Credit: music.sina.com.hk

Sweet Borrowed Dream - Alan Tam
Translated by Mouse Carmen Yip

In this prosperous and bustling city,
People are close to each other but their hearts are not
They are always smiling, but which smile is genuine?
They seem to be waiting everyday,
But never close to their dreams
As they grew older, that hope becomes regret

This prosperity is transient; I hope to have a closer look at the future
This ostentation is transient, and I yearn to settle down
Who would attempt to have deeper thoughts?
When my heart has made its decision
Do not ask me whom I am devoting my heart to

This is a period of borrowed happiness; it cannot conceal (my) hatred
This is a sweet dream borrowed, it cannot bear any fruits
This phenomenon (of prosperity) is akin to passers-by,
Who passes by you without casting a glance
"Who had stopped for you? Who had stopped for me?" I can't help but asked.

(**) TVB Filmography

Series
When a Dog Loves a Cat (2008)
The W Files (2003)
Modern Drama (2002)
True Love (2002)
Golden Faith (2002)
At Point Blank (2001)
Hope for Sale (2001)
Seven Sisters (2001)
At the Threshold of an Era II (2000)
At the Threshold of an Era (1999)
Feminine Masculinity (1999)
Secret of the Heart (1998)
Recipe for the Heart (1997, guest)
Mystery Files (1997)
Old Time Buddy - To Catch a Thief (1997)
Old Time Buddy (1997)
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (1996, guest)
The Criminal Investigator II (1996)
Cold Blood Warm Heart (1996)
Dark Tales (1996)
Self Denial (1995)
Hand of Hope (1995)
Plain Love (1995)
Legend of the Condor Heroes (1994)
Ambition (1994)
The Last Conquest (1993)
Yang's Women Warrior (1993)
Vengeance (1992)
Rage and Passion (1992)
Golden Snake Sword (1992)
Bet on Fate (1992)
Hunter's Prey (1992)
The Hero from Shanghai (1992)
The Self within (1991)
Be My Guest II (1991, guest)
The Survivor (1991)
Police on the Road (1991)
Silken Hands (1990)
Yanky Boy (1990)
Looking Back in Anger (1989)
Live for Life (1989)
Mystery of the Parchment (1989)
The Legend of Master Chan (1988)
Rain in the Heart (1988)
The Final Verdict (1988)
Battle in the Royal Court (1988)
Seasons (1987)
City Stories (1986)

Telemovies
Out on a Limb (1995)
The Knight and the Concubine (1994)
Episodic Drama V (1989)

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