In today's entertainment news, we spotlight Hong
Kong director Derek Tsang, who has made history as the sole Chinese director of the Netflix series
"The Three-Body Problem," which premieres today, March 21st. Tsang directed the first two episodes,
bringing an authentic Chinese perspective to the series, marking a significant milestone as it's
the first time a local director has been involved in a Netflix original English-language series.
The Three-Body Problem" is an adaptation of a famous C
hinese sci-fi novel by Liu Cixin, set
against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution. In an exclusive interview with Tsang, he shared
his meticulous approach to handling historical material, emphasizing the importance of extensive
research - immersing himself in movies, books, oral histories, and documentaries from that era.
Tsang also praised his wife, Venus Wong's performance in the TVB drama "After Marriage,"
expressing his firm belief in her acting skills and hoping that the show's popu
larity will bring
her more opportunities to showcase her talent. On a personal note, Tsang and Wong often have
to work apart due to their busy schedules, but Tsang confidently says they both remain
deeply committed to their work and to each other, quoting that their time apart only
makes their reunions all the sweeter. It is Interesting to note that Tsang's lineage
as the son of veteran actor Eric Tsang, which has been both a blessing and a challenge. He
candidly discusses the pressure to
prove himself beyond his family name - a sentiment many
'second-generation' celebrities can relate to. However, he has now embraced his path
and finds that working in the same industry has brought him closer to his father.
Looking ahead, Tsang remains open to new experiences in filmmaking, grateful for
the doors opened by his previous works like "Better Days" and excited for future
collaborations with international teams. Whether as Eric Tsang's son or Venus Wong's
husband, Derek Tsang is d
etermined to carve out his unique path in the industry.
On a related note, Let's dive into the buzz that's taken the online world by storm.
LOONG 9, the latest band to emerge from TVB's hit talent show "Asia's Super Group," has
certainly got people talking. The group, formed by top finalists Oliver, Li Quanzhe, Xian
Jingfeng, Jiang Xinxi, Liang Shiyu, Bai Ziyi, Wen Zuokuang, Huang Yibin, and Chen Liang, has
sparked a fiery debate over their name. Some netizens are scratching their heads, fin
ding the
name 'LOONG 9' a bit strange and not particularly ear-pleasing, pointing out that 'LOONG' sounds
like the word for 'burnt' in Cantonese—a sign not typically associated with good fortune.
But despite the mixed reviews on their name, LOONG 9 has become a hot topic online in just
a few days. At the helm of this phenomenon is none other than Eric Tsang, who, while
denying that he came up with the name, is rather pleased with the stir it's caused.
Eric was cornered by the media at the ev
ent for the film "Rent a Family," where he explained
that the intensity of the discussions since the band's lineup was announced, along with the
name, has everyone talking. He highlighted that even though many believe the name to be an
error, the buzz it's generated is undeniable. Now, here's a bit of trivia for you: The name game
isn't new for Eric Tsang. A former E-kids member, Tommy, suggested that Eric once named them A4,
a claim that was quickly debunked by bandmates Alan and Tim, who
urged Tommy not to stir the
pot. Amidst this confusion, Eric was asked about the original name of E-kids, to which he
humorously responded that he couldn't recall, given the numerous names he's toyed with
over the years. He dismissed the issue as trivial and expressed surprise that Tommy
only brought up the name change, rather than the help Eric had provided in the past.
The name 'LOONG 9' has sparked some colorful comparisons and giggles for resembling
an unflattering term in English when
Eric announced it. Some fans have even suggested
retracting the name, allowing the band members to choose their own, along with their fan color.
But Eric is unfazed, urging everyone to keep an open mind as many names that initially
seem odd can eventually become beloved. In the world of showbiz, as Eric puts it
succinctly, "If the group becomes famous, the name is great. If they don't, perhaps it was the
wrong choice." So, let's stay tuned to see whether LOONG 9 soars to stardom or if a nam
e change is
on the horizon. Let’s look back at 3 groups that under went name changes: Twins, Boys and the
name Eric Tsang almost gave E-kids, A4. In this showbiz news, Tommy, a former
member of the StarEast group E-kids, spilled the beans that Eric Tsang also had a
hand in renaming their group back in the day, and they almost debuted with a rather peculiar
name! Besides E-kids, what other groups narrowly escaped being launched with these unique names?
The new 9-member group from "Asia's Sup
er Group" has been christened "LOONG 9," yet netizens can't
help but recall Chen Farong's character "Long Nine" from the movie "God of Gamblers”. Plus,
since Eric Tsang announced the name in English, some people can't help but hear
it as something inappropriate. Netizens have pointed out that the new group's
name, LOONG 9, is even more unusual than TVB's limited boy group Super Tiger, which formed
in 2022 with members including Law Tin Yau, Hui Chun Ho, Yiu Chi Kwan, and Chau
Siu Ting. Com
ments flew in at the time like, "I cringe at the name," and "Is it Super
Tiger cub, Tiger dude, or Tiger uncle?" "The first one to try changing our name was
153—and it was crazy! He called us 'A4!!!' When I, young and impulsive, blurted out
during their enthusiastic introduction, 'A4??? Are we paper???' the room went dead
silent, and then 153 immediately got angry and ended the meeting." Tommy also added, "These
guys (LOONG 9) have it worse, their name will definitely be a laughingstock for
ever."
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