courtesy of mingpao.com

Alex Fong Chung Shun continued to be a spokesperson for the Swiss wrist watch brand DOXA and two nights ago its latest ad campaign was shown at the Ocean Park aquarium. Currently working on OVERHEARD 3 (SIT TING FUNG WON 3) until mid August, Fong Chung Shun then had to make two other films. Due to scheduling issue he missed the chance to work with John Woo (Ng Yu Sum). "Due to a schedule clash I very regrettably cannot make Ng Yu Sum's THE CROSSING (TAI PING LUN). I only hope the next time he will have another chance. TVB originally asked me to make a new series with (Michael) Miu Kiu Wai in August, I won't have time just the same."

Takeshi Kaneshiro and John Woo have a lot to talk about

Bowie Lam, Takeshi Kaneshiro
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The John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed epic film THE CROSSING cost 300 million yuan RMB and starred Chinese, Korean and Japanese stars like Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-Kyo and Masami Nagasawa. With more than 50 years of recent Chinese history, the story is about three couples of different backgrounds and nationalities and how the tides of history affected them. Although they experienced war and hardship, they were still able to find happiness.

The film yesterday officially began production in Huairou, Beijing with Ng Yu Sum, Gum Sing Mo, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, Faye Yu Feihong and others as they prayed for a smooth production. Zhang Ziyi and Song Hye-Kyo were not present.

Gum Sing Mo chatted a storm with Ng Yu Sum, then had serious discussions with him. He and Lam Bo Yi also shook hands and greeted each other. As for outside comment that he gained weight, he did not seem to care at all. Earlier in an interview he admitted, "If I spent time and energy on my looks, I feel I might as well put an effort into contributing to society."

courtesy of singtao.com

Korean star Song Hye-Kyo earlier came to Hong Kong to promote her series THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS and to attend a skin care product event. During her interview she clarified her dispute rumor with THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) director Wong Kar Wai. Actually while Song Hye-Kyo was in Hong Kong, she had dinner with Wong Kar Wai.

According to Korean reports, Wong Kar Wai found out about Song Hye-Kyo's Hong Kong visit and contacted her. He not only took her to dinner but also the Korean workers. Song Hye-Kyo and Wong Kar Wai also took photos together. She smiled brilliantly and leaned on Wong Kar Wai's shoulder. She even raised a victory sign, proving that the dispute was just a joke.

In addition, Song Hye-Kyo tomorrow will start work on her new film THE CROSSING with director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum), Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Ziyi, and Masami Nagasawa.

Kenji Wu presents flowers to Song Hye-Kyo
courtesy of on.cc

Korean star Song Hye-Kyo last night attended a cosmetic product event. Later she will star in the John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) new film LOVE AND LET LOVE, which has already been confirmed for a production start on the 6th. Aside from the announced Song Hye Kyo, Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) and Huang Xiaoming, the film will also have Alex Fong Chung Shun, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, Tong Dawei and Tony Yang (Yeung Yau Ning) and shoot in a Huairou film and television base.

courtesy of on.cc

Famous director Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone yesterday issued a statement that said earlier someone launched a site that was similar to Jet Tone's Block 2 Pictures and claimed falsely to be the film production company. It also spread false information about the film company's upcoming production and actor recruitment audition. Jet Tone has already contacted the police and issued a statement to clarify that it has no relationship with the site.

The site not only claimed to have work with Jet Tone on films like HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT) and THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) but also the upcoming John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) film LOVE AND LET LOVE. The film's producer Terence Chang Ka Chun said, "We know about this and earlier someone has already used our new film title to recruit actors in Taiwan and Shanghai. We immediately issued a statement to clarify that we are not recruiting actors. I know some actors even paid for their own way to audition in Indonesia. Right now I hope the most for no one else being swindled again!"

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

A game tests fans' cotton candy making abilities.  Song Hye-Kyo chooses a Mainland fan's cotton candy umbrella as the winner

Song Hye-Kyo sits with fans to watch THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS trailer

Song Hye-Kyo changes and meets with fans from all over Asia.  Fifty lucky fans are chosen to receive posters
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Song Hye-Kyo yesterday attended her Korean series THAT WINTER, THE WIND BLOWS press conference at TVB television city. Speaking of dispute rumors with directing Wong Kar Wai during THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) production, she admitted that although initial the production felt difficult, they did not have any dispute. She even looked forward to continuing to work with Hong Kong filmmakers.

When Wong Kar Wai, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Ziyi last month attended the China Film Festival in Seoul, Song Hye-Kyo was present as well. She and Wong Kar Wai both denied that they were at odds over editing. Song Hye-Kyo yesterday again clarified, "I have heard such rumors as well. Because it was my first collaboration with a Hong Kong director, it was very different from with Korean directors. Thus at first it was indeed a little difficult. However the production made me realize that the most important was to be able to work with outstanding directors and actors. It was a great experience. In comparison, the difficulty before wasn't a problem at all. Thus as long as I run into a good script, I hope to work with Hong Kong directors and actors again."

She also said that Leung Chiu Wai has always been her idol among Hong Kong actors. Thus she was already very touched to be able to work on THE GRANDMASTERS with her. Next month she will work on John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s LOVE AND LET LOVE (SUN SEI LUEN). She also looked forward to working with Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) and Huang Xiaoming.

courtesy of singtao.com

Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Song Hye-Kyo

Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Song Hye-Kyo, Wong Kar Wai
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Korean diva Song Hye-Kyo has always been rumored to be upset at how long THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) production time was and how his role was reduced to only 6 minutes, thus she was at odds with director Wong Kar Wai. However, they finally overcame their differences as they attended the 2013 China Film Festival opening ceremony in Seoul. Tony Leung Chiu Wai appeared with his on screen wife Song Hye-Kyo on the left and companion "Gong er" Zhang Ziyi on the right. Wai Jai even praised Song Hye-Kyo as a very charming actress.

"All encounters would ultimately lead to a reunion", which was a classic line from THE GRANDMASTERS. Song Hye-Kyo and Wong Kar Wai yesterday reunited in Seoul, did it feel like a reunion after a long time apart for them? "Ip Man" Leung Chiu Wai's wife Song Hye-Kyo never appeared to assist with THE GRANDMASTERS promotion from its production wrap to release. Reportedly she felt that she "waited more than shot", the production dragged on too long and her role was reduced, thus she was very upset. After her contract ended she could only leave the team. At the same time, because her role was reduced to 6 minutes, the other lead actress Zhang Ziyi stole the spotlight. Song Hye-Kyo thus was rather upset as well.

When the film was released, Song Hye-Kyo claimed that she was in a production and thus was unable to promote. This time THE GRANDMASTERS was invited to be the Korea "2013 China Film Festival" opening film. She dispelled the dispute rumor and showed her support. She had no grievance with Zhang Ziyi and chatted often. They later will work together on John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s film. This time was a warm up, otherwise when they worked together they would be rumored to be at odds again.

Wai Jai had two great beauties with him. When he left the stage he even lightly gave Song Hye-Kyo a hand and attentively took care of this on screen wife. After the opening ceremony they caught up at dinner. Wai Jai's assistant posted the photos online. Wong Kar Wai sat with Song Hye-Kyo. Wai Jai lightly embraced Zhang Ziyi. All the dispute rumors were swept away.

Wai Jai said that although it was his first collaboration with Song Hye-Kyo, he has watched her television series long ago. "When I watched her television series she felt that she was as cute and pretty like a young girl. When we worked together on the film, I realized that she displayed a completely different side that was also very charming and felt even more mature." Wai Jai praised Song Hye-Kyo and the film's era as rather well matched, and she was a very charming actress.

Takeshi Kaneshiro worked with John Woo five years ago on RED CLIFF
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International director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) took a break to recover from illness. After five years, LOVE AND LET LOVE recently announced its July production start and confirmed that Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) and Huang Xiaoming to be its lead actors opposite lead actresses Zhang Ziyi and Song Hye-Kyo. Originally Song Hye-Kyo was to pair with Chang Chen, but due to scheduling issues he finally turned it down. Xiaoming was not afraid of being the "second choice". When he received the invitation he agreed without any hesitation. He felt that being able to work with Ng Yu Sum would be able to widen his performing art vision. However Xiaoming's manager has been quiet and said that it was inconvenient to make any response.

The film company denies that Wu Xiubo will be the lead actor in John Woo's new film
courtesy of on.cc

During the Cannes Film Festival last year, John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) was rumored to remake Japanese director Seijun Suzuki's YOUTH OF THE BEAST. This year the Ng Yu Sum directed romance THE CROSSING yesterday unveiled its first concept poster. The film will be about how three couples from different backgrounds under the rush of recent Chinese history spent 50 years and found happiness.

The Mainland media once described the film as LOVE AND LET LOVE (SUN SEI LUEN or TAI PING LUN). The film company revealed that currently no official Chinese title has been set. For now it only knew the the leads will include THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI)'s Zhang Ziyi and Song Hye-Kyo. No lead actor has been confirmed.

courtesy of singtao.com

Andy Lau hopes to work with John Woo in the future, but the first condition is an accurate estimated schedule
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Andy Lau Tak Wa last night received the "Salento Actor Award - City of Tricase" at the Italian Consulate for his outstanding film achievement. The award last year went to Wa Jai's "Mama" Deanie Ip Tak Han. Wa Jai said, "I hope that other people would know about Hong Kong film even more and promote exchanges between Hong Kong and Italy. Would I try and make a Italian film? Take it easy, the Italian language isn't easy."

Wa Jai will head to Cannes for his film BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM) but he will only stay for one night. Was it because of his daughter Hanna Lau Heung Wai? Wa Jai jokingly yelled, "None of your business!" When asked how he celebrated his daughter's May 9th birthday, Wa Jai said sweetly, "At home. As for the gift, I got it! Have a son as well? Fine, I promise you!" As for Mother's Day, Wa Jai only said, "Next month will be Father's Day, the most important is for the family to be happy."

Lau Tak Wa regretted that he was not able to participate in LOVE AND LET LOVE (TAI PING LUN). As for the rumor that he was replaced due to his numerous demands, Wa Jai said, "I thank Ng Yu Sum (John Woo) for issuing a statement to clarify for me. He is a gentleman who is very worthy of respect."

Andy Lau prepares a very cute cake for his daughter
courtesy of mingpao.com

Andy Lau Tak Wa's daughter Hanna Lau Heung Wai yesterday celebrated her first birthday. Although Wa Jai did not permit his daughter's photo to be exposed, his daughter's healthy growth has made him feel very fortunate and happy.

Yesterday was Heung Wai's first birthday. Wa Jai on his official site posted a photo of a cake with his daughter's English name Hanna on it and wrote, "Love, and well wishes, is more than one lifetime, I also have to thank family's love and well wishes. - Wa Jai Old Pa."

To keep his daughter from exposure, Wa Jai tried to avoid the paparazzi and set up multiple homes for his wife and daughter. He also strengthened security and installed photography prevention equipment. To keep from being followed, Wa Jai yesterday did not appear. Conceivably he would only quietly celebrate his daughter's birthday at home with family and celebrate Mother's Day in advance with his wife Chu Lai Sin. Reportedly Wa Jai two days ago already held a birthday party for his daughter at the Peninsula Hotel. Aside from the family of three, friends Michael Miu Kiu Wai, Felix Wong Yat Wa, Sammi Cheng Sau Man and others attended for a glimpse of the "Little Dragon Maiden".

A magazine claimed that Hollywood director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) was interested in making LOVE AND LET LOVE (TAI PING LUN, formerly 1949). Due to repeated postponements, the cast was changed again and again. The magazine said that Lau Tak Wa demanded "film cut rights" and finally the lead was switched to the even cheaper Wu Xiubo.

Ng Yu Sum yesterday issued a statement with Terence Chang Ka Chun and clarified that the report was Wu Xiubo replacing Lau Tak Wa was untrue. LOVE AND LET LOVE originally was scheduled to start production in March but due to a variety of reasons it was postponed until July. Lau Tak Wa already had a concert tour scheduled for the second half of the year and had to start rehearsal in June. Thus he had to resign from this film. Ng Yu Sum and Lau Tak Wa have been in the film industry for years and have always wanted to work together. They did not expect that scheduling would prevent them from taking advantage of such a good opportunity. Both felt exceptional regrettable. In the statement Ng Yu Sum and Chang Ka Chun hoped to be able to work with Lau Tak Wa on their next film.

In other words, Ng Yu Sum stressed that he remained friendly with Wa Jai and were not at odds. Wa Jai has always respected the director and thus the rumor was dispelled.