After waiting for 16 years, Ben Wong (黃智賢) is once again leading a TVB drama. Due to Raymond Lam (林峯) declining to film Food for the Slaves <食為奴>, 45-year-old Ben Wong stepped in for the role of Emperor Yongzheng. At the costume fitting yesterday, Ben has already shaven his head and will cherish the opportunity. In an earlier sales presentation filmed for Food for the Slaves, Raymond Lam, Ron Ng (吳卓羲), and Fala Chen ( 陳法拉) had appeared in the video clip. Due to hectic filming schedules, the featured actors are now replaced by Ben Wong, Wong Cho Lam (王祖藍), and Joey Meng (萬綺雯). After starring in A Kindred Spirit <真情> and attaining high recognition, Ben Wong’s former leading role was in 1997′s Triumph Over Evil <真命天師>. His screen time in TVB dramas slipped in the following years, prompting Ben to leave TVB for better pay. Ben returned to TVB in 2004 and appeared in minor roles, having to prove himself for the last 9 years before the company decided to cast him as lead once again. Ben looked forward to generating new sparks with recent audience favorite, Wong Cho Lam, and is unafraid that viewers will compare their performances. Although Cho Lam’s Inbound Troubles <老表，你好嘢!> was a critical and ratings success, he will not be involved in developing the script for Food for the Slaves. Cho Lam joked, “Haven’t I been scolded enough already? This time, I will only act.” Joey Meng will portray a 25-year-old Lu Siniang in the drama. “Don’t say I’m a middle-aged woman anymore!” Creds: ihktv
