Ron Ng's Climb to Popularity

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Acting was a career that Ron Ng (吳卓羲) never thought he would touch on.

“I was a backup-dancer for Louis Koo’s (古天樂) ‘In Style’ <今期流行> at the time. When we were getting ready in the dance studio, he sat beside me and asked, ‘Leng Jai [Handsome boy], are you interested in an onscreen career?’ I said no because I wasn’t very familiar with how the dynamics worked. If I was interested, I would have auditioned for the artist training class instead. Louis continued, ‘Not interested? Do it!’ I told him I’ll consider it. Afterwards, an executive from the artist training department had a talk with him, and that’s how I got from being a dancer to an actor.”

For the next two years, Ron was cast in minor speaking roles in several dramas. He obtained his first major supporting role in 2003’s Triumph in the Skies <衝上雲霄>, the same series that propelled Ron to instant fame. Not only did Ron become one of TVB’s most promoted siu sangs, but he also became a singer and released an album, which sold fairly well.

Low Point in Career

Ron’s career took a downturn in 2007 with the onset of negative rumors. His clean-cut image affected, TVB arranged Ron to film mainland Chinese dramas for a period of time. Ron admitted that it was a period of low tides.

“Was I unhappy? Of course I was, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that I must coordinate myself. Do not get arrogant when you get good results. I have kept this in my mind since I first joined the industry. The entertainment circle is a very difficult career. Your luck can change like a roller coaster at any time. I am not the type of person who likes to talk about my own misfortune with others, because many of my friends are not in this industry. When I am unhappy, I will grab a friend and just talk random things, to take away the worry. When I first read about my gossip, I really didn’t want to walk the streets. I didn’t want people to stare and point at me. Afterwards, I thought – I’m not a murderer. I didn’t do anything illegal. I’m not a rapist. I shouldn’t be so caught up with such nonsense gossip. It shouldn’t affect the way how I look at myself.”

Admiration for Francis Ng

In the industry for 13 years, Ron’s personality has matured, similar to his character, Issac, in Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲霄II>. “Maturation in the entertainment industry is faster than other fields. It forces you to mature. Working in the entertainment industry for one year is equivalent to four to five years in another field.” Ron added, “After growing up, my thinking has also changed. In the past, I didn’t like to talk about my personal matters, only knowing how to close myself up. Now I know how to open my heart, widening my perspective.”

Working with Francis Ng (吳鎮宇) again in Triumph in the Skies 2, Ron got along better with his “elder brother” since Ron has matured over the last decade. While filming in England, Ron visited Francis’ hotel room and they chatted about the drama. Francis listened to Ron’s input and they mutually agreed on how to approach their scenes together, resulting in a believable brotherhood onscreen. Ron said Francis has a great sense of humor, but will become more serious during filming due to his passion for acting. They often say insulting jokes at each other, similar to their onscreen banter.

Betrayed by Colleague

Both Raymond Lam (林峯) and Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) debuted around the same time as Ron, but they have also become much more successful than Ron. Fortunately, the three friends stay supportive of each other. Fighting for the top is never written in their book.

“When we first debuted, I told Raymond that, whatever status we may reach in the future, we should not compare ourselves. You do well, I’ll be happy. I do well, you will also be happy. When I am not doing well, you will stay by my side and support me. This is what a true friend will do. In TVB, everyone has their own position and status. If the position is yours, no one can steal it.”

There is a dark side to the entertainment industry. In an industry as competitive as the entertainment circle, there are people who are willing to do anything to reach the top. Ron revealed that he had experiences of being bullied and humiliated.

“We all have ambition, but it’s hard. We only have two hours of sleep every day, and we still have to come up with plans to take down others? It’s so hard to live that way. I’ve had experiences of someone harming me. I didn’t do anything to you, but you still stabbed me. When you hesitate, people will step on you. I’ve always faced my career with the mindset of protecting myself. I did that more than stepping on others shoulders to reach the top.”

Did Ron hold a grudge against the colleague who harmed him? “The job was originally mine, but suddenly we had to exchange jobs. I did all my preparations already. This was many years ago. I kept thinking, why did you have to do that to me? Did you really have to go that far? But that incident didn’t change who I always am. I will not harm others to get to the top. That isn’t me.”



Creds: ihktv