Raymond Lam and Kate Tsui Share Their Experiences from TVB Drama "Highs and Lows"

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Raymond Lam (林峰) and Kate Tsui (徐子珊 ) are known for their good looks and wholesome images. However, their breakthrough portrayals of a tough rugged cop and a drug addict in the popular TVB drama, Highs and Lows <雷霆掃毒>, have captivated viewers. The characters are the most talked about subjects in town since the series first aired, and Raymond and Kate are the hot favorites to win the TV King and Queen awards this year.

Raymond and Kate shared their insights and challenges about their popular characters. They also spoke candidly about their expectations in winning the TV King and Queen awards.

Challenges of Playing Happy Sir

Raymond has always portrayed a clean-cut gentleman in past TVB series, so it was quite a change for him to portray a stubborn rugged cop. He was worried that the audience may not find his performance credible. However, Highs and Lows garnered high ratings since it first aired, therefore erasing Raymond’s concerns.

When asked why the drama has been so successful, Raymond said the producers, the directors, the actors, and the crew were extremely dedicated during filming. There were many action scenes in the police drama, requiring dedication to make the details realistic. The crew did not cut any corners to get their job done. That in turn helped the actors get into their characters.

Furthermore, police dramas are always very popular with the audiences. In addition, the characters and the collaboration of the cast members are quite refreshing. Highs and Lows is very fast-paced and has many story lines occurring simultaneously, making the various story arcs seem to happen in “real time”. No wonder since it first aired, High and Lows attracted many viewers.

Asked why his character, Happy Sir, is so popular with the audience, Raymond said the popularity of the character is secondary; instead he was more concerned whether his performance will deliver the elements of surprise. Raymond went on to explain that no one really knows what Happy Sir is thinking at any time. He wants to keep the audience guessing what will happen next.

As for the chances of winning the TV King award this year, Raymond admitted he has confidence to win the award. He is happy that the audience accept and enjoy his character. As for his biggest competitor in the race for TV King, Raymond believes there are many who can win the award. He thinks every actor has his own unique style of performing his role, similar to how every singer has his own way of singing a songs.

Raymond said, “No one should say ‘Who’s better than whom.’ Every artist works very hard to do the best they can.”

Raymond likes TVB’s new one person, one voting system to choose this year’s Anniversary awards winners, and believes this is a great way to attract the attention of the audience to focus on TVB shows and the awards ceremony.

Kate Tsui on Raymond’s Performance

Costar, Kate Tsui, thinks Raymond is usually clean-cut and has a “rich kid” style, but he had to look unshaven and relatively tougher for his role in Highs and Lows. She felt Raymond handled his performance really well and has a great chance to win the award. Kate said, “It will be wonderful if we can both win because we are in the same family (sharing the same manager). Raymond seems to possess some kind of magic in winning awards. Maybe his magic will rub off on me and I will wind up winning if he wins!”

Kate Makes a Great Drug Addict

The last time Kate won an acting award was several years ago when she played a kindhearted and stubborn police officer in the movie, Eye in the Sky <跟踪>. Kate has not received any acting awards since. However with her successful portrayal of a bar girl turned Drug Queen in Highs and Lows, Kate now has potential to win the TV Queen award.

Raymond on Kate’s Performance

Raymond feels Kate’s character, Pat Chan (陳家碧), was written exclusively for her, and he cannot think of any other actress beside Kate that can play the challenging role. Raymond said, “If she wins the award, that would be good. We can both dress up nicely to attend the award show.”

Kate Shares Her Experience Playing Her Character

As for her feelings about playing a drug addict for the first time, Kate said she really enjoys the character, and she was deep into the role during filming. Kate smiled and said, “Playing this kind of role is not easy for the viewers to accept because the character is more like a villainess. I was afraid the audience will not accept me playing a kindhearted character in the future again.” She mentioned that she put in a lot of passion into her character, Pat Chan, and found it very easy to cry during filming because her emotions feel so real.

When asked whether she had given her best in her performance, Kate said that it was certainly a breakthrough role for her. She wore very little makeup and sometimes wore no makeup at all. When Pat Chan became a drug addict, she had to put dark circles under her eyes to make the look more convincing.

Kate did not care about the snot and saliva coming out during filming; she knows it is not going to be too pretty, but thinks it is worth all the sacrifices to establish a cinematic feel in the drama. Kate is grateful that the reviews have been very positive, and the producers enjoyed her performance. Of course, she is very glad that she has a chance in this year’s TV Queen award.



Creds: U-Mag