Kevin Cheng’s Poor Work Attitude Blasted by Lee Ka Ding

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Kevin Cheng (鄭嘉穎) has come under fire recently among his TVB colleagues, criticizing his character and poor work attitude. TVB actor, Sin Ho Ying (冼灝英), blasted Kevin Cheng for being self-centered and repeatedly challenging Mr. Sin’s professional opinion during the filming of boxing scenes for Gloves Come Off <拳王>. Another veteran actor, Lee Ka Ding (李家鼎), criticized Kevin for being aloof on set and acting like a mute! Fans blasted that Kevin’s stiff acting was “rubber-like.” Bombarded with criticism from all fronts, Kevin resembled a “punching bag” more than a champion boxer!

In Gloves Come Off, Lee Ka Ding acted as the boxing ring referee. Mr. Lee said, “After he (Kevin Cheng) enters the TVB studio, it is as if he is a mute! He will not greet people. He does not talk much to his colleagues!”

In addition, Kevin’s Muay Thai boxing stances have been criticized as being unrealistic. Muay Thai experts who have watched the drama complained that the boxing gestures were wrong, where a skilled boxer such as Kevin’s character would never have boxed in the manner shown in Gloves Come Off! Actors on set hinted that perhaps Kevin was too careful in protecting his body, failing to put in real effort!

In a recent interview, Lee Ka Ding’s son, Gregory Lee (李泳豪) said, “Whether an actor films a horseback riding or boxing scene, they have to put their heart into it. Climbing to the Number #1 Brother spot, there is no need to just put in a half-hearted effort. Do not pretend that you are a big shot; I hate that!” While Gregory did not clearly state who the “big shot” was, his comment has aroused controversy and speculation that he meant Kevin Cheng.

Kevin Cheng Criticized As “Swatting Flies”

When Lee Ka Ding was asked whether the “big shot” referenced in Gregory Lee’s interview was Kevin Cheng, Lee Ka Ding did not deny it. Mr. Lee said, “Nancy Wu (胡定欣) put in all her efforts. It’s okay if the boxing gestures are not professional, as long as you are immersed in it. Unlike the male lead–who was so protective of his body—that his boxing looked as if he were swatting flies! Thinking that he was hurt, he asked to stop the camera to go wash his injury.”

Asked who he considered to have filmed the boxing scenes well, Mr. Lee said, “Raymond Wong (黃浩然) tried his best. Otto Chan (陳志健) was the most immersed, who filmed several scenes for over a dozen hours, boxing until he was exhausted.”

Despite Mr. Sin and Mr. Lee’s criticism of Kevin’s work attitude on set Gloves Come Off, the rest of the cast remained neutral in the escalating war of words.

Raymond Wong said, “I do not know why Sin Sifu said this. However, I had conversations with Kevin!”

Wong Chak Fung (黃澤峰) said, “Kevin has always been a lone tree, with a self-centered personality! It is not surprising that he was criticized in this manner. But I do not have a problem with him!”

Otto Chan said, “Perhaps he (Kevin) and Sin Sifu had different perspectives, resulting in a misunderstanding. People get along differently. Kevin treats me quite well!”

Regarding Muay Thai experts criticizing that Kevin’s boxing stances were inaccurate, producer Marco Law (羅永賢) said that the cast had tried their best. Mr. Law pointed out, “Otto Chan and Raymond Wong have taken Muay Thai lessons before. The other actors were perhaps too busy and did not practice, resulting in the inconsistencies.”

Despite Kevin Cheng coming under fire, Gloves Come Off averaged 29 points in ratings and peaking at 31 points in its first week of broadcast in Hong Kong.


Creds: ihktv/Jstars