Kathy Chow owes Michael Tao a kiss scene: There will be an opportunity one day

Michael Tao and Kathy Chow's fate started in 1999 and have been in three series together. They have been a couple, mother and son and boss and employee.

M - Michael Tao
K - Kathy Chow

K: Michael, after we collaborated in three series To Where He Belongs, Flaming Brothers, and Showbiz Tycoon, we never collaborated again thereafter. Then I went to Beijing and in 2008 I attended your birthday party in Shanghai. I did see you again at events a few times, but this time actually sitting down and chatting again, the feeling you give me has not changed at all!

M: That time I was shooting in Shanghai and coincidentally you were nearby, really thank you for coming. But what we lack is a bit of fate, our relationship is like too complicated and confusing, so much that I turned 'crazy'.

K: Huh....not that serious right?

M: Back then, midway into the filming of Flaming Brothers, you were sick and had to take off, and left your substitute to film with me. The story was about me madly pursuing you, and I had to say a lot of mushy lines. Your substitute did not know what was going on at all and was an inexperienced actress. So, for the dating scenes I was just acting to myself, the funniest was when I said I love you to your substitute she replied with 12345, haha! The most miserable was I originally had a kiss scene with you, but I had to kiss a substitute that wasn't Kathy Chow, I had to imagine she was Kathy Chow. You tell me, how can I not go crazy?

K: Back then I was feeling unwell, but I didn't have SLE (lupus) just I'm natural born with low platelets. So, I easily get bruises. Recently I bumped my head and it took a long time before the bruise went away, luckily I didn't have to work. Now that you mention it, are you saying I owe you a kiss scene, haha!

M: Well I didn't say that. We were all very worried about you when you were sick. Then in To Where He Belongs, I thought we could continue our fate, but unexpectedly you play my mother this time! I still remember I saw you in the makeup room, making yourself look old, I asked you, "What you doing here?" It was so frightening, I couldn't accept you looking like that.

K: Hahaha, I think Wong Jing (the producer) was playing you!

Very Courageous Taking On Mother Role

M: Then in Showbiz Tycoon, I played the owner of a film production company, and should have been able to have close interactions with the female artists, but turns out because of my role, a highly reputable boss, I only had a supportive attitude. I was like your father, no kiss scenes there!

K: My role really admired you, but you didn't like me. No wonder you turned 'crazy! But I believe we'll get to collaborate again. Today is July 1st, I just signed with a new company 'Stellar International', and will have a lot of development soon. By then, we can officially be 'together' (collaborate) and I can give you the kiss scene.

M: But in To Where He Belongs, an average actress won't want to risk taking on a mother role, but you were so brave to do it. I still remember you purposely accepted the role because you wanted a challenge.

K: Because the script was written well. There were a lot of flashbacks about Damien Lau and I dating. The plot was about me losing my memory and turned into a child. It was a good script and I really wanted to portray her, so I didn't mind being a mother. At the time I took my mother's photo and kept thinking how can I look older.

Dated 10 Years, Like a Married Couple

M: Do you really not have to worry about getting old? I see you have kept it well and heard your in a relationship too.

K: Actually I have been dating for 10 years already, my boyfriend is 10 years younger than me. He is an architect, a friend introduced me to him. At first my boyfriend really didn't like me in this industry. Honestly, the first three years, I turned down many jobs just because of this relationship. Making money is indeed important, but my life cannot always be focused on making money nonstop, I don't want to give myself too much pressure. In terms of marriage, my boyfriend already proposed to me a few years after we started dating, but I'm really not rushed and don't wanna give up my acting career. Our relationship is very stabled now. We are no different than a married couple, just missing the marriage certificate, later if we want to marry, then we'll marry, doesn't really matter. But the marriage will be really low-key, don't need to make it big or anything because I have filmed too many marriage scenes, and worn wedding dresses of all kinds, from ancient to pre-modern to modern.

No Makeup on the Streets, No Problem

M: Beijing is already your new home, why did you come back to Hong Kong this time?

K: I was shooting Legendary Amazon's, and it was very difficult filming in the cold and hanging 360 degrees on wire. I haven't taken a break from work in two years. Now that I have a break, I thought I'll come back and visit my family. Life in Beijing and Hong Kong is different. I walk around in HK, reporters take pictures of me eating ice cream and taking the MTR, it's okay, go ahead and take the pictures then! I don't usually like wearing makeup when I'm out shopping and I don't think that's a problem, as long as I'm clean and tidy and it doesn't affect my looks. I even eat fish balls on the streets!

M: I really admire your personality, no wonder you still look so young!

K: Actually I have a cool look. People that know me die laughing, but people that don't know me are scared to death. One time the hairstylist was doing my hair, she was really scared too, kept dropping the brush and the hair clips. When I was shooting outdoor scenes, the makeup artist told me to come back to fix my makeup, but I said it's fine, I look pretty enough!

M: I believe every artist have their own qualities. Your quality comes from your confidence!

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"File of Justice" 20 years later Bobby-Au Yueng, Michael Tao & Felix Lok meets again

Michael Tao, Bobby Au-Yeung and Felix Lok (Ah Gung) became good friends after being in five seasons of Files of Justice. The three of them sit down together again after 20 years to chat about the past.

Michael: I thought of a good image for us, the three of us come together and give off a different feel.

Bobby: You act with bow ties, but I can't find my previous hairstyle anymore! My head is getting rounder and rounder each year, later I'll have to sleep upside down, so the skin on my face won't loosen...haha!

Ah Gung: Files of Justice is already 20 years ago! We're sitting here together again, that is truly hard to come, very memorable! In the past when shooting series, mostly it's last minute scripts, but now that I'm with CTI, the company has a regulation of no last minute scripts!

Kisses Flora Chan nonstop

Bobby: In fact audience like to watch us three brothers at-home scenes, but I actually like Michael's kiss scenes more! His kiss scenes with Flora Chan and Jessica Hsuan, wah.. I was still there watching during the midnight snack!

Michael: I didn't ask for it, but often times my co-stars treats me well. That time it was Flora's first on-screen kiss too!

Ah Gung: They all have a western girl personality, takes initiative. That scene you had with Flora was awesome!

Michael: How do you know its awesome? Only I know it's awesome...haha!

Bobby: When it comes to kiss scenes, that time when I encountered Esther Kwan, I really learned something! I'm pretty shy when doing kiss scenes, but that day when Esther and I had that scene, she was talking while we were filming the kiss... she told me not to overlap my face with hers. Behind the scenes, I was even complaining she didn't put enough effort, but she said talking in between the kiss will be more realistic. Indeed, the outcome was pretty good! Don't believe me, Michael you try it!

Michael: No la...at this point in life, I'm afraid to kiss girls on camera. A light kiss in the morning, I can still do, but those passionate kiss scenes, wah..too much!

Bobby: I had a passionate kiss scene with Ada Choi before, very frightening...if I had a curvy chin like Michael, then the kiss would look good, but I got a flat chin and face, once we bump into another, nothing can be seen anymore, the eyes, ears, mouth, nose, none of it. So I thought of an idea to tell Ada: "When we shoot, I'll kiss your face or if not, I'll kiss your forehead and that's it!" She unexpectedly answered me: "Aiya... I think so too!" Dang...

Ah Gung fitter than Him Law

Michael: Ah Gung shooting those police scenes is pretty difficult too. Shooting the investigation scenes, got to run all over Hong Kong, but Ah Gung really lives life by the rules. Back then when I went to his house, I saw he had his own private gym in there. He has such a fit body figure now, even better than Him Law's!

Ah Gung: Back then I can shoot 11 or 12 days of investigation scenes, I was young then, but now I still keep up with my physical activity and can still look pretty good on screen!

Michael: Actually we were quite picky on the looks, back then while shooting Files of Justice we had to change into a new outfit for every scene, all of my bow ties were from my own personal wardrobe.

Pants falls off in public, Filipino bystanders shout: "Small!"

Bobby: You (Michael) even wanted all white silk pajamas, like a White Dragon King! There was one time, we were filming outdoors...that day it was Sunday, at the public square in Queens. Me and you were carrying our costumes, initially we were going to change in the tuxedo store, but wanted a faster way, so we just decided to change near the TVB van. Unexpectedly when you unbutton your pants, you forgot your wallet in the back pocket, and resulted in your pants falling off. The pants fell right down to your feet, and the large group of Filipino workers saw the scene and shouted: "oh! Michael...small!" Your eyes grew big! I can just say: "Next time change your pants more diligently!" Hahah....

Michael: So, you were wearing shades in the mall and couldn't see where you were going. You held on the rails as you walked, but still tripped and PK! Haha!

Bobby: You dare to mention that again, that time if it wasn't because you were laughing too loudly, the people in the entire mall wouldn't have known it was me! Everyone looked at me, I was so embarrassed!

Back then, they were three young men, but they didn't compete or back stab each other, instead they were good brothers. Even after work, they got together for coffee and rehearsed the scripts.

Bobby: Although we were very playful, we had great teamwork. Every time we finished shooting a scene, we would go to the nearby coffee shop to discuss the scene. Each one of us had a great attitude, very fit! I asked producer (Gary Tang) why did he cast us 'second line' actors in this series, he said the first line actors may have all the screen time to themselves in one episode, but with all the second line actors, there could be healthy competition!

Ah Gung: I discovered another phenomenon, not just the producer made good results out of us, we never quarrel or compete for screen time, we had a good relationship. And this relationship lasted for all five seasons, didn't change. That is truly rare. In other series, everyone seeing each other for such long periods, many would start arguing!

Bobby: That's why I really look forward to having Files of Justice continue on, do another gathering....

Michael: We're good old time buddies, stepped into another stage in life, up until today, we sit down together again, I believe the producers will have to think of a new refreshing idea to match us!

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Michael Tao & Kenix Kwok "old lovers" exposes the past relationship

Michael Tao and Kenix Kwok were the classic on-screen couple of 1997. From 1995-1997, Michael and Kenix started their fate from the 100 episode Detective Investigation Files (DIF I,II&III) franchise. Earlier when "Dai Yung" Michael met "Ko Jit" Kenix again at Timmy Hung's wedding, he posted their photo on Weibo and made a large group of fans reminiscing on this golden pair. This pair of "old lovers", exposed back then, they were just one step away from developing a relationship. Kenix joked Michael wasn't proactive enough.

M: Michael Tao
K: Kenix Kwok

Latest photo together madly circulated online

M: Seeing you again after so many years, you're still so pretty and now there is even an additional maturity piece in you! We met again at Timmy's wedding, very surprising!

K: You haven't changed either, still optimistic with a wide smile! In fact, last time we had pictures together were just requests from the media and with all the fans discussing, it madly circulated! Back then when I was shooting the DIF franchise, I was a newcomer, and this series was also the turning point in my career!

M: A white piece of paper can absorb the most! Your portrayal of "Ko Jit" was very natural!

K: Actually my debut Glittering Moments was with you too. I gave my first time to you! Then, we had three seasons of DIF together. The first one I was the foolish one and the second was the one a lot of audience demanded for a redo because at the time, people were unhappy after watching the ending and sent complaint letters to K-100. At the time, producer Poon Ka Tak especially came up with the ending...he wrote that I lost my memory and had to leave. At the airport, "Ko Jit" turns around and stares at "Dai Yung".....then it ends there. Audience were heartbroken!

M: The producer is very clever, with that kind of ending, then they can make a third installment! On the third season, we went to Beijing to shoot. I remember it was miserable for you...vomiting and diarrhea! At the time, the temperatures were some 10 degrees below zero. You had to do two roles too, every scene had you in it! I felt bad for you, but I couldn't do anything to help.

K: You helped me stop the vomitting and diarrhea! I remember one morning, you had to go for outdoor shooting, but I was still having diarrhea, you knocked on my door and asked me if I'm still feeling unwell...but, I still made it through.

M: All that difficulty is worth it. Ten years later, when you're back working in Mainland, many people still remember "Dai Yung" and "Ko Jit", the classic couple!

Classic on-screen couple, rare they match so well

K: We are definitely a classic couple, you're my classic partner! Our type of 'match', it's not just beautiful people, actually there are a lot of beautiful people in this industry, but there aren't many that match really well. You and I pairing up was really well-received! My first impression on you, I already had that feel, that big brother feel because you were really patient to teach me. That is what's called a big star!

M: Big star? Are you serious? I think I was more like stupid back then!

K: How could that be? You have already been in the industry for some time and you are the most memorable male co-star I had. You simply grew up with me!

M: I've been through the "white paper" times too, but Kenix, you are very smart, digested fast and have strong ability for competition. You are a person without a temper! One time, you cried in front of me and I know you're not a person that can easily cry. This just proves you trust me!

K: Yes! I'm very stubborn! I remember back then when I was accused of tardiness, actually I would admit if I'm wrong. But that time, it is when our relationship deepened.

M: Many people asked, we see each other day and night, will there be 'sparks'?

K: Technically, yes! Haha.... I still remember we had rumors too, since we were an on-screen couple, and that time neither of us were married, but after all we didn't spark. I think because, at the time, I was too focused on work and busy studying the script. I didn't even have the time to fix my makeup, so I wasn't aware of this great man besides me, and missed out! But, I guess you did daydream about me right?

After Movie Date, No Development

M: When you were still 'crispy', how can I not daydream about you! Perhaps we were both too busy, and didn't get to take it a step further. Maybe we were just missing that one step!

K: We just missed that one little bit....but, in my memory we met up for the movies! When we were shooting Glittering Moments, we watched Jurassic Park! That time, I asked you out...why did you agree to go?

M: If nothing special, I usually agree! Going to the movies doesn't mean much, we just watch the movie and say Bye Bye, that's it! But I remember when we were shooting Shine on You, there was one kitchen scene, I asked you, back then (referring to the DIF period), if I courted you, what do you think would have happened?

K: I remember too.... when shooting DIF, you asked me that same question, but at the time I was dating Frankie Lam and we weren't public yet, I remember you still asked me, if Frankie didn't appear, would you have had a chance?

M: How did you reply then?

K: I said: "I don't know?" But in the end, you didn't pursue me, that means you didn't fight for the chance! You know what my personality is like, we are both the same. If we were together, it would be like Mars hitting Earth (not get along). If we really did get together, I believe we wouldn't end happily!

M: Today we have this harmonious relationship, proves that my decision back then was corrrect. Otherwise, we may be on bad terms now! Nowadays when we meet again, we can think of our past struggles together, our 'best partnership' award together, these are beautiful memories!

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