One of TVB’s two upcoming anniversary dramas, The Confidant <大太監>, will premiere in November. The Confidant is a biographical-fiction television drama that centers on a group of eunuchs during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi in the late 1800s Qing Dynasty. Among these main eunuch characters is “Yiu Sheung Hei,” portrayed by Raymond Wong (黃浩然). Yiu Sheung Hei is a eunuch employed in the palace’s medical department who shares a romance with “Princess Shouxi,” portrayed by Aimee Chan (陳茵媺). Raymond is fascinated by his role in The Confidant. The fact that his role is a eunuch – an identity that Raymond will undoubtedly never take up in his life – is a challenge itself. How would Raymond portray the gender and social ambiguities of a castrated man? “I had a great time coming up with the preliminary sketches of my character. How will an incomplete man feel when he has fallen in love with a woman? Maybe he will not react biologically, but there is still the heart. How will he come to the consensus that he has indeed fallen in love, and then proceed to marry her? And when a eunuch is getting married, what will he be thinking? I really enjoyed tackling the psychological aspects of this character. It is a great challenge,” said Raymond. The actor continued, “There is great disparity between Sheung Hei and the princess. Not only is there a social disparity, there is also a biological disparity. These are themes that are rarely explored in television. The Confidant is a tragic drama. We all know that flowers and fruits will not be able to grow in our relationship, but sometimes it is this fact that makes the relationship much more romantic and bittersweet.” Raymond Wong is a Fan of Costume Dramas It is not very often to see Raymond in costume dramas. Since joining TVB in 2007, Raymond has only filmed three historical dramas – the Qing-centered Sweetness in the Salt <碧血鹽梟>, Tang-centered Can’t Buy Me Love <公主嫁到>, and The Confidant. Unlike many of his colleagues, who dread filming costume dramas due to the long makeup hours and heavy costumes, Raymond enjoys filming costume dramas the most. In fact, having the chance to wear the iconic traditional robes is a big reason why Raymond prefers costume dramas. “The costumes are very pretty and extravagant. Along with ancient dialogues, movements, and the environment, this is something that we will never have a chance to experience today. That’s why I really like to portray characters living in the historical times, or during the Republican era.” A costume drama, according to Raymond, also has a more adjustable market. “Take mainland China, for example. Due to our different cultures, we sometimes cannot understand the underlying theme in the story lines of their modern dramas, and it is also hard for us to feel any empathy and sympathy for the characters. Costume dramas are different. They do not take place in modern times, so we already share an understanding that their culture is different from ours. That’s why costume dramas tend to be more acceptable from both cultures,” said Raymond. “Although filming costume dramas are really difficult and time consuming, you will have a huge feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction after completing it. This feeling is incomparable to that of completing a modern drama. “Of course, another reason why I like filming costume dramas is because you get a chance to go back in time and live in another world,” added Raymond excitedly. What is Raymond’s favorite costume drama? Raymond immediately said, “Definitely the 1984 version of The Duke of Mount Deer <鹿鼎記>, the one where Tony Leung (梁朝偉) portrays Wei Xiaobao! Tony Leung was very good at bringing this character to life! Wei Xiaobao is a very intelligent and sneaky person. He takes no sides. He has a very colorful personality, and just thinking about that makes me want to portray him! It will be fun! If there’s a chance, I really want to portray a similar character in the future. Of course, the most important thing is that I will have many women around me!” Raymond joked. Raymond: “Acting is My Only Career” Raymond was an information technology major student at the Hong Kong Tang King Po College. After graduating from high school, Raymond took up a modeling job in the summer, and was discovered by director Johnnie To (杜琪峯). Raymond said, “My major in college, information technology, was not something I chose. It chose me. I really did not have a target in life. When Johnnie To scouted me and offered me a filming opportunity, I decided to give it a go. Even then, I wasn’t sure if acting was something I wanted to do for a career.” After performing in several Johnnie To movies, Raymond knew that he had found the right job. “I matured a lot in my first several years of acting. You don’t need just luck to stay in this industry. You have to earn it too. I began to study acting. I grew to love my job more and more, and now it has become impossible for me to switch careers.” Creds: Astro
