Joe Ma Hopes For a 'Triumph in the Skies 3'

Yesterday TVB new series Tiger Cubs II was shooting in Sha Tin. The big bad guy Johnson Lee was seen in a black hoodie, surrounded by a group of SDU members including Joe Ma, Him Law, Oscar Leung and Benjamin Yuen. Due to the thick and heavy SDU uniforms, the men were sweating nonstop. Joe kept eating to replenish his physical strength and avoid a heatstroke.

Joe played the pilot Vincent in Triumph in the Skies ten years ago, but did not participate in the sequel. Today, the sequel is well-acclaimed, does Joe feel he lost out on the opportunity? He said: "Vincent from TITS died, and also when TITS 2 began filming, I had some issues with my TVB contract and didn't make a decision yet." TITS fans really miss Vincent though, Joe expressed he hopes there will be an opportunity to shoot TITS 3. He also praised the TITS 2 cast looking very hot in their uniforms and it had triggered his good memories too.

Linda plays a police undercover in Tiger Cubs II. Although she is paired with Joe, they do not have any kiss scenes. She laughed: "The plot will explain my role is very man, so there will not be any kiss scenes. There will only be expression through the eyes."

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Joe Ma Celebrates 20th Wedding Anniversary

Joe Ma and his wife Karen Cheung celebrates their 20th wedding anniversary. Earlier the couple did a wedding photoshoot at several old districts and buildings in HK. These locations are a record of their love story. Joe and Karen's photoshoot are different from the average romantic fairytale-styled wedding photoshoots, Joe said: "The old cultural districts and antiques embodies many memories, filled with deep feelings and meaning. In reality, a long lasting and harmonious marriage is just like viewing an old cultural district and antiques. The more you look at them, the more feeling and value there are. It is a continuous feeling, so we wanted to breakthrough the conventional wedding photoshoots and try something different." Prior to the photoshoot, the couple did a lot of research online on HK's old districts and antiques.

In March, the couple hired a famous English photographer Simon Wheatley to help them with this photoshoot. Joe and his wife were actively participating through the whole process from the shoot until the post-production; they took this project very seriously. Many of their good business friends and local fashion designer sponsored them as well. They spent two days traveling around 10 locations in HK, every location was filled with unique characteristics and value.

The couple's favorite location was The Wisdom Path and Temple Street was the place where they frequently loitered during the early years of their marriage.

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Joe Ma to Shoot "Tiger Cubs 2", Comeback Isn't to Rescue TVB

Yesterday Joe Ma and Oceane Zhu attended the promotional event for the TVB Pearl broadcast of American TV series The Following. Joe's TVB contract had already ended, he expressed once he completes filming a Mainland series, he'll be coming back in June to shoot Tiger Cubs 2. Asked if he's coming back to rescue TVB? He said: "Don't say that! Last time, I hard a great time filming the series. This time, I'm very excited to be the leader of the SDU team." Joe expressed the sequel will be airing during the normal prime time hours. Does he have confidence to help TVB win back some face? He said: "It's hard to say, but there are currently not many police series that are this tough around. Last time, the audience really enjoyed it. So I hope they'll continue to support us."

Although Oceane is in the sitcom Come Home Love, which had been rated higher than the other two series, she stressed she catches the two series herself. Asked whether she has trouble understanding the stories too? She said: "Why won't I understand? I think if you watched from beginning to end, it would be a very good watch." As for Christine Kuo's poor Cantonese, the audience are having trouble understanding what she's saying? Oceane defended her: "I understand all of it, very clear! After all, she did come back from overseas and has really worked very hard. I hope everyone can be a little more lenient on her. Actually her Cantonese is better than mines. I can see she speaks better than me. She has motivated me to put even more effort into my Cantonese." Oceane directly expressed she hopes to date a HK guy and practice her Cantonese. Asked whats her boyfriend standards? She said: "Just as long as he's taller than me. I don't mind him being fat, but not too ugly. He should have some kind of talent in art, the best would be if he can draw and make music."

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Joe Ma's thoughts on his female co-stars: Ada Choi, Charmaine Sheh, Flora Chan & Sonija Kwok

Joe Ma has been said to have vigorous peach blossoms (girls), indeed he has had countless rumors since his debut. Almost all of the female artists he had worked with gets a rumor with him. Of course, time proves everything, many of his so-called rumored girlfriends are in fact his good friends.

JOE: Many people call me a "FaDan Killer". Actually Moses Chan has that title too! Haha! Honestly, there are just two types of rumors in this industry, two artists are dating or two artists are on bad terms. Well, I rarely have any bad term rumors, it's usually just dating rumors!

I've worked with many actresses, such as Maggie Cheung, Jessica Hsuan, Ada Choi, Charmaine Sheh, Sonija Kwok, Flora Chan, and many more. Let's talk a little bit about Ada Choi. She's a very good artist to learn from because she treats people very well. She makes the people around her feel comfortable and because I'm a Cancer and I've been a police officer before, I'm very defensive. That's why I don't have many friends, she is the one who opened me up.

I still remember one time we had to shoot early in the morning in the studio. That time I lived in Yuen Long, and couldn't awake up. At the time, I was shooting the series with her, so I called her right away. I told her I overslept and I'm flying over there. Ada heard this and immediately said: "Whatever you do, don't speed! I'll put on my makeup slowly and try to stall a little." Before she hangs up, she asked me if I had breakfast yet. She's really that good of a person!

As for Charmaine, I collaborated with her in several series. The first one should be in 2001 Country Spirit. People say she's always letting out her 'electricity', but I only feel one thing about her, she's just amazing. She is the only person I've seen that could withstand working overnight. We could get our days and nights confused, but she still manages to maintain the same good looks, nothing changes. She's an actress that never gets overworked! Sometimes we shoot continuously through the nights, she says she's very tired, but she still looks so awake and high spirited. I think she's just a natural beauty, haha! Also, Charmaine's EQ is extremely high. She has a very good temper and sometimes when she hears negative comments, she'll just laugh it off. You will never see her upset. This is the deepest impression Charmaine left on me.

Sonija Kwok is a person that can really eat. That time we were shooting for several months in Mainland. The environment in Mainland is pretty hard, but she didn't complained at all. She has a straightforward personality.

My wife in Triumph in the Skies, Flora Chan, she's actually technically my senior. That time, she was already very popular. She taught me a lot. I remember when we were shooting the first scene in TITS, it was pretty intimate. She said I don't have to mind at all, just put my hands on her. In fact, sometimes in kiss scenes, the actor is actually not unnatural than the actress. After all, men can easily get misunderstood. If the actress is as open as Flora, then you feel a lot more comfortable to do the scene.

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Joe Ma: Regret Didn't Get A Single TVB Award in 18 Years

Prior to Joe Ma's entry into showbiz, he was a police officer and has been in G4 (VIP Protection Unit) before. He protected several political figures including former governor, Chinese high official, and even Prince Charles and Princess Diana. This year is Queen Elizabeth's 60th anniversary on the throne and since Hong Kong used to be under British rule, the people of HK have a special feeling for royal family of England. Joe feels honored to have protected the Prince and Princess before! Joe had been with TVB for 18 years and gain recognition from Triumph in the Skies. He said it was all based on luck, even if it he's promoted to a Siu Sang, he still got no awards!

JOE: I was a police officer before I entered showbiz. At the time, I wanted to help my family out and thought police was a stabled job. Also, I was very passionate back then and wanted to contribute to society. After spending two years at the police training school, I graduated and became an uniform officer. I remember my first time on beat with a colleague and wrote the ticket wrong. That time, I thought being in the police was like what you see in those cop and robber movies, but I didn't encounter any big cases, it was quite peaceful.

The most frightening time was when I was chasing after a thief. Actually I'm considered athletic, but when you have to run in an uniform and carry a police duty belt, it is a different story. I really think the police uniform is set up all wrong, and we had to run in leather shoes while holding onto our cap too. The entire uniform is like over 10 pounds, it's basically impossible to catch the thief, so stupid! A year later, I switched to being an officer responsible for handling disturbances and demonstrations, but then after another year, I switched to being a police without the uniform. I still had to carry a gun, but never used it. People say it's a good thing. I used handcuffs before to detain the criminal though, but then I didn't feel it was challenging enough, so I applied into G4. At the time I was only 20 years old.

Protected Prince Charles and Princess Diana

G4 is primarily responsible for protecting political figures. I've protected Prince Charles and Princess Diana before, as well as former Singapore prime minister (Lee Kuan Yew), former Chinese high official and the former governor. I really think I'm lucky, since I could be on the same elevator as the royal family. Prince Charles is a gentleman, who gave me a strong feeling of nobility. Princess Diana is very nice and friendly. One time she was shopping in Central and asked me to carry her bags, but I said I cannot do that. She was very understanding and carried her own bags.

After 3 or 4 years in G4, I changed jobs and became a model. I was in the police force before, so I had and ideal body figure for a model. Then I encountered a TVB person and they told me its a good company. At the time, my salary as a police was HK$12,000, and at TVB it was only HK$9000, but there will be other income when your an artist, so I decided to sign a contract with them.

When I first entered TVB, they were preparing to shoot a Wynners' series The Chord to Victory and said I was going to be Kenny Bee or Anthony Chan, but that never happened. Wallace Chung took the role. My first official series was Heroes From Shaolin, I was a really annoying villain. Actually I never learned acting before, but what I remember most was one time we were shooting at a Buddhist monastery, I didn't know anything. Luckily Eddie Cheung and the other artists led me into character! The first few years at TVB, all of my roles were villains. I asked the producer why I'm the only one playing these roles? He said I'm tall and good as the antagonist.

18 Years with TVB, Didn't Get a Single TVB Award

I was in the industry for 7 years before I finally got to participate in 2000's The Threshold of an Era. Although I was still a villain, at least I got a supporting role. I was no longer in the third or fifth line. At least when I go out, there were reporters who wanted to interview me. That time, I still remember I had scenes opposite of Liza Wang, she is a very serious and a prepared person. She's always advising me and said that artists should always be aware of surroundings, even if I'm not working. I thought Ah Jeh (Liza) was very professional. She's definitely my idol and mentor!

Then I was given a role in Triumph in the Skies. It was my first time I got a taste of being popular. Later, when I was helping Flora Chan shoot an MV in Stanley, there were suddenly 30-40 students chasing after me. It turns out they just wanted to take pictures and get my autograph. TITS was such a success, but I didn't even get one My Favorite Character award at TVB. At the time of the anniversary awards, only 10 episodes aired and my scenes didn't come until after 20 something episodes. The next anniversary was already too far, so sometimes it's about luck. Actually Revolving Doors of Vengeance was a pretty popular hit too, but I still didn't get any awards. I've been with TVB for 18 years and didn't get a single award, even I think that is one of my regrets!

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Joe Ma's 'Tiger Cubs' high ratings, to return to TVB as a 'per series' artist

Joe Ma, Jessica Hsuan and the rest of the Tiger Cubs cast attended a charity event. As Tiger Cubs is getting good response, Joe said because of this series he has gained a wider range of fans. He expressed: "I'm planning aparty on a cruise on the day of the finale. (What's the dress code for the party?) Whatever you like! The date hasn't been set yet, but on the finale night, Jessica has to celebrate her birthday with fans in Shanghai, so she may not be able to come." He also reveals: "Because TVB has good scripts, roles and teams, I will be going back to TVB for a per-series contract. (Good salary too?) Everything is good!"

Fan wanted to sleep with Joe

When speaking of many TVB Siu Sangs involved with Mainland actresses, Joe said: "I haven't!" He believes there are many professional artists in Mainland, and he has had pleasant collaborations with them. His wife is also not worried about him and often accompanies him to work whenever she's free. When asked if he's got any SMS from girls? Joe expressed he hasn't, but he won't respond to strangers. He exposed there was once a fan who messaged him on Weibo and said she wanted to sleep with him. Other fans immediately scolded that fan. Jesica heard this and expressed: "That's crazy! I've had fans confess their love for me too." Joe laughed: "Nothing better to do!"

Him is willing to sing with Tavia Yeung as couple team

When Him Law heard about Joe's party on a cruise, he was a bit surprised because he's afraid Joe might make him wear a bathing suit. If the ratings get better, will he wear a bathing suit? Him laughed and said he will, but he'll add cycling shorts over of his triangular swim trunks. He's not worried of the 'modern' effect, because he's wore them as a life guard before, in all kinds of colors and designs too. It's just been too long since he's put those kinds of swimwear on, so he feels a little embarrassed. He said his current body figure isn't as fit since he's been too busy and hasn't had time to work out.

Him will soon be going overseas for a stage performance and will have to sing. Lately, he's been actively practicing his singing and now he's voice is hoarse, so now he has to work hard on getting his voice back. If someone approaches him to release an album, he can consider. Has rumored girlfriend Tavia Yeung, heard him sing before? "Next time I'll invite her for karaoke then, then you all can ask her what she thinks of my singing. I heard Tavia sing before, not too bad. If the price is good, and we're comfortable collaborating, can consider singing as a 'couple team'."

Christine Kuo was said to be one of Kevin Cheng's girlfriends. She expressed: "Every artist who has worked with him gets rumored, he's a popular guy. (What if he pursues you?) Talk about it when it's actually true!"

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'Tiger Cubs' celebrates weekend broadcast success, Joe Ma relieved

TVB new weekend series Tiger Cubs premiered on Sunday. The first episode averaged at 29 points and peaked at 30 points, making it the highest rated series of last week. Yesterday the cast celebrated the success as well as lead actor Joe Ma's 44th birthday. Mandy Wong, JJ Jia and Kayi Cheung gave him blow kisses. Kenneth Ma later gave Joe a birthday hug. The producer then asked Vincent Wong and Him Law to embrace, making it a funny moment.

Joe is very pleased with the ratings, when asked if he felt relieved? He smiled: "Yes, yes." He believed its necessary to fumble when the series is airing at a new time slot. Initially, they thought the ratings would just be between 23-25 points, but now with such good results, the cast and crew are very excited and hopes the ratings continues to rise. As viewers complained of the terrifying scenes? Joe explained: "These are often the cases that require SDU's assistance. The future cases will continue to be bloody and violent, so that's why the series is broadcasting in the late evenings." It was said the series plagiarized the film Breaking News? He said: "Police films are inevitably linked to robberies, most important is the acting and artists giving off a fresh feeling. That is how viewers can watch happily." Joe reveals he'll be treating the entire cast and crew for a celebration later this evening and will bring his wife and son along.

The producer exposed Kenneth and JJ's kiss scene NGed several times, Kenneth laughed: "All thanks to the behind-the-scenes crew, if it wasn't the microphone having issues, then there were problems with the lighting." However, after JJ had a kiss scene with Oscar Leung the other day, she didn't want to kiss any other person anymore because she thought he was the best to kiss. JJ denied she said such thing, and said Oscar was just speaking nonsense.

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