With the 2013 TVB Awards Presentations being less than a week away, the Hong Kong media are hot on their tracks in predicting the possible winners for the annual award ceremony. Earlier, reports stated that Chilam Cheung (張智霖), having starred in this year’s highest-rated television drama Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲霄Ⅱ>, will be crowned TV King, while popular actress Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣) for Brother’s Keeper <巨輪> fame will be given the TV Queen honor. TVB Best Actor – Chilam Cheung has Highest Chance to Win Though Triumph in the Skies 2 was unable to match the critical acclaim of its predecessor, the pilot drama was nonetheless met with popular success and maintained an average viewership rating of about 30.6 points, making it 2013’s highest-rated television drama of the year. Stars of the series, Francis Ng (吳鎮宇) and Chilam, are both touted as the main competitors for Best Actor, but as Francis has repeatedly stressed that he will not be attending the awards on December 16, TVB has reportedly decided to pass down the award to Chilam, who is more than ready to accept the honor. Chilam turned down an opportunity to guest star on an episode of a popular mainland Chinese variety show – an appearance that would earn him 500,000 RMB – in order to attend the TVB Anniversary Awards on December 16. Chilam also confirmed that he would be starring in a new TVB drama next year, and publicly supported TVB when bitter TV viewers and fans of HKTV announced a boycott on the channel. Chilam has yet to confirm his appearance on the awards show, but he did state that he would try his best to “smooth out” his schedules in order to make the appearance. The reports further predict that Kenneth Ma (馬國明) from The Hippocratic Crush 2 <On Call 36小時Ⅱ> and Ruco Chan (陳展鵬) of Brother’s Keeper fame as the possible dark horse candidates for Best Actor. Despite a surge in popularity last year with the role “Yat Kin Tau” from The Hippocratic Crush, a role that also garnered Kenneth a TVB award for Favorite Male Character, his character and performance were met with mixed reviews in the sequel. However, as Kenneth was quick in renewing his contract with TVB, while his colleagues were more indecisive, it is highly likely that TVB will hand down the Best Actor crown to Kenneth. The 39-year-old also reportedly turned down several mainland Chinese drama offers in order to shoot more dramas for TVB. On the other hand Ruco Chan, one of the more popular breakthrough actors of 2013, is critically lauded for his performance in Brother’s Keeper. Despite strong support from netizens, Ruco is still considered as a rookie within TVB’s filmography, and it will be difficult to defeat senior favorites like Chilam. Dayo Wong (黃子華), who returned in style with the popular Bounty Lady <My盛Lady>, is another popular candidate for Best Actor, but as Dayo specified that he no longer has a contract with TVB, it is unlikely that Dayo will win Best Actor. TVB Best Actress – Linda Chung vs. Kate Tsui Linda Chung has been hot on the trail to win Best Actress since 2011’s Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir! <點解阿Sir係阿Sir>, but despite the popularity of her dramas, Linda only managed to make it into the top five nominations. In May 2013, Linda guest starred in Johnson Lee’s (李思捷) prank show Office of Practical Jokes <玩嘢王>, earning praise from viewers. Linda’s performance in Brother’s Keeper was also well-accepted, and TVB took this opportunity to start her Best Actress campaign. As Linda has signed a 10-year contract with TVB in 2010, it is very likely that Linda will win Best Actress sooner than later. With the popularity of Bounty Lady, which premiered last month, Kate Tsui (徐子珊) is also tagged as a strong competitor for Best Actress. Edwin Siu Competes for the First Time Edwin Siu’s (蕭正楠) popularity has been on a steady rise since joining TVB in 2008. Taking him two years to earn an opportunity to be cast in a lead role, Edwin is currently nominated for Best Actor for Brother’s Keeper, Best Supporting Actor for A Great Way to Care II <仁心解碼II>, and My Favorite Male Character for his role in Brother’s Keeper. Although Edwin has been receiving TVB nominations since 2011, this year will be Edwin’s first year participating the TVB awards. “In the past I was always arranged to shoot dramas during the awards. I would steal a glance at the TV while I’m working, and I would admire my nominated colleagues. They all dress so smartly and get so nervous. I will carry a rookie mentality with me to this year’s ceremony. I am happy to have the opportunity to participate. It’s definitely luck. I have four nominations this year, and I know I’ll be competing with a lot of my seniors, especially in the Best Supporting Actor category. I am very honored to be able to stand on the same stage with these talented actors, because that means the audience has accepted my acting.” Reported predictions: Best Drama – Triumph in the Skies 2 Best Actor – Chilam Cheung for Triumph in the Skies 2 Best Actress – Linda Chung for Brother’s Keeper Best Supporting Actor – Edwin Siu for A Great Way to Care 2 Best Supporting Actress – Nancy Wu for Triumph in the Skies 2 Favorite Male Character – Wong Cho Lam for Inbound Troubles Favorite Female Character – Niki Chow for Sergeant Tabloid Most Improved Male Artist – Vincent Wong Most Improved Female Artist – Grace Wong Creds: ihktv
