Joey Meng & Ben Wong Fighting to be the Junior

Yesterday Joey Meng and Ben Wong were shooting outdoor scenes for TVB new series Food for Slaves. Joey was dressed in her ancient costumes and doing the fighting scenes like a pro. She frankly expressed this is her first fighting scene in a costume series. The style is different from before, and definitely needs some physical work. She smiled and said she practically has to fight in every scene: "It's kinda of fun actually, I have to go back and see if I got any injuries. But, I've been doing stretches recently, I want to practice doing the splits. (You have long arms and legs, did you ask the director to add some Kung Fu footwork?) Nope! Sometimes, the director tells me not to stretch my legs too far out, otherwise my arms and legs might not fit in the camera's frame."

Joey and Ben have a romantic storyline in the series. When asked if Ben gave her any advice? He joked: "Nope, she's my senior!" Joey immediately squealed: "Huh? Are you kidding! I'm the junior!"

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Ben Wong Takes the Lead, No Fear Wong Cho Lam Stealing Screen Time

Yesterday Ben Wong and the Inbound Troubles cast Wong Cho Lam, Joey Meng, Louis Cheung, Bob Lam and Siu Bo (May Chan) attended the costume fitting for TVB new series Food for Slaves (tentative). When asked about the same 'Inbound' cast? Wong Cho Lam expressed: "No, its just a fourth of us, already have some chemistry, but we will strive to break this small circle up and maintain good terms. If Joey and I want to be situated at TVB, cannot rely on us, must include others as well."

Earlier, it was rumored a producer disliked Wong Cho Lam stepping over the line on his behind-the-scenes work. Cho Lam made it clear Food for Slaves has nothing to do with him, he is purely an actor this time. He did not participate in the script or casting at all. Cho Lam laughed: "Getting so much gossip isn't enough? I have to do what is told this time, I'm just the actor." For this series, it is necessary for Cho Lam to get his head shaved and he'll even share his bald look on Weibo. Wonder what his girlfriend Leanne Li would think of his bald look?

Joey said she asked the producer if her role is another 'middle-aged woman', she laughed: "The producer said my role is a 25-26 year old girl and that I'll be forced to marry Wong Cho Lam. Don't say I'm a middle-aged woman again."

As seen in the Food for Slaves sales presentation, Raymond Lam, played the emperor, but Ben Wong eventually replaced him. When asked if this is Ben's first leading role? Ben expressed he had a leading role in the 1997 series Triumph Over Evil before and is grateful that he ran into this opportunity again. Does Ben wish to get the 'My Favorite Male Character' award this year? Ben laughed he does not know when this series will be airing, but he will cherish the opportunity. He revealed he'll have many scenes opposite of Wong Cho Lam, but is not afraid he'll steal all the screen time. "We each have our own brilliance. I had always wished to collaborate with Wong Cho Lam, he's a very talented artist."

Also, yesterday Yahoo! Asia Buzz Awards announced the voting results from November 2012 - February 2013. Wong Cho Lam and Joey Meng made it in 2nd place; 'Jackie Chan's Protest Restriction' in 4th place; HK Chief Executive CY Leung ranked 8th place; 'When Heaven Burns Re-run' in 10th place.

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Ben Wong Angered at TVB: Where is the Justice?!

TVB announced the official nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards 2012 today. Aimee Chan was nominated for both best actress and supporting actress, but Ben Wong, who seems to have a high chance of winning Best Supporting Actor again this year, was not on the nominations at all!

Ben Wong played the "Devil Cop" in Highs and Lows and his evilness was inhumane. On the discussion forums, Netizens predicted that this year's Best Supporting Actor would be a competition between Koo Ming Wa, Power Chan and Ben. However, it turns out Elliot Ngok, Ram Chiang and Jazz Lam were part of the nominations, but Ben wasn't. This means Ben has no opportunity to participate in this year's first public voting system.

Yesterday reporters contacted Ben in regards to this issue. He went from being shocked to upset, he said: "I'm really astonished, of course I'm disappointed! I don't know what the norm is, but this year the public voting is about fairness and public opinion, but now I'm not even nominated. Where's the justice?! If Poon Hok Lai (his role from Highs and Lows) don't qualify for the finals, then where is the justice?" Ben asked reporters if its because he's been promoted to lead actor that he's getting 'blocked'? He blamed: "If I'm not nominated for Best Supporting, then am I a lead actor? A producer once told me, I got the award last year, so I shouldn't compete this year! I just think if someone could get TV King twice, then how come the Supporting Actor can't?" Ben got more and more angered as he spoke: "Now my chances are gone just like that, I don't even have the opportunity to be in the competition. They didn't even give me a chance. If my Poon Hok Lai role can't make it on the top 10, then I really don't believe there is justice?"

Kate Tsui was just as shocked when she heard Ben didn't make it on the nominations, she said: "Huh?" Then added: "Whatever it is, we will fight for the Best Series award together! (Comfort Ben?) He's an adult, not necessary, he's a senior of mines! He understands!" Highs and Lows producer Lam Chi Wah expressed his disappointment that Ben wasn't nominated. He said: "I'm so shocked and disappointed. TVB's mechanism, I'm not too sure of, but actually we can't tell if Ben's role was one of the supporting roles or a leading role. I think he was in a leading role. We have all seen his hard work. The award is important, but the most important is what opportunities TVB will give him from here on!"

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Ben Wong - Lofty Ambitions

TVB artist Ben Wong gained recognition based on his role "Ah Hoi" in 1995's long-running sitcom The Kindred Spirit. The ambitious Ben tried working elsewhere without hesitation, such as in Mainland and ATV. However, after all the switching around, he finally ended back at his 'maternal home' (TVB). In the first few years, he was pretty much getting ignored. Feeling discouraged, Ben went and complained to Virgina Lok: "You said I can't do it when you didn't even give me a chance to do it. That isn't fair to me!" It wasn't until his role as 'Spicy Ginger' (Lak Geung) in Lives of Omission when he won recognition again!

BEN: When I left TVB, I was very ambitious, I thought there was a need for me to work elsewhere and make a breakthrough. I've collaborated with many different actors from several different places, from Mainland to Taiwan to Singapore. I've filmed series for a different market. At the time once I left TVB, the first person I got to work with was golden scriptwriter Wai Ka Fai and co-starred Sean Lau and Adam Cheng. Was I feeling proud? Yes I was! You can say whatever about me, but I was very happy to be able to be in a Wai Ka Fai script! I spent a few years shooting TV series in Mainland, yes I did earn money, but I wasn't getting anywhere. Casting was not made just for you, unless you go fight for it with someone, but I didn't want to leave my hometown and be like that! HK doesn't broadcast Mainland series, so the people in HK would think you disappeared or went to ATV!

"I Have Family To Raise"

Back at TVB, I believed they never saw my performances, like I was still on probation to them. You have to endure through the process, earn that trust back and let people know that you can still withstand this! Before the 'Spicy Ginger' role, my position was sometimes high and low at other times. When you are asked to make a guest appearance, the producer will tell you, 'there is a story, and I want you to do it, but it's only three episodes.' That just means you recognize my abilities, but you don't have the courage to actually let me go do it. That's really strange. Sometimes, I'm only participating in 3 episodes, but they hold me on the schedule as if its a 20 episode series. How will I make a living then? I'm not an actor who owns a [Mercedes] Benz and have my own driver, I actually really do have to raise a family! You hold me on the schedule as if it was a 20 episode series, but just give me the money for doing 3 episodes, then that really is a setback for me.

"It's Unfair"

If you have persistence, then you will bound to gain some trust. But my persistence left me discouraged, then why don't I just leave! If I'm not working at TVB, then I can work elsewhere. However, you must insist and have faith. I just didn't know how long I had to wait! I'm rather optimistic, I would say: "Just get through it!" It wouldn't be good for me to say, "Hey if you don't use me, it's your loss!", right? I remember I told Miss Lok (Virgina Lok), you let me do it and I will show you I can do it! You didn't give me a chance to do it, and say I can't, that is unfair to me! Later, my manager at the time helped me get the 'Spicy Ginger' role and I'm really grateful. Even the scriptwriter said that I was the only one they wanted to cast this role for, they never thought of a second choice to replace me.

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