霍建華 大男人愛情宣言
September 2006 (City Lady)
Translated by orion
This is not our first encounter with Wallace. We were impressed by his reticence when he promoted his movie Hands in the Hair more than one year ago: he never talked more than necessary to answer the questions. To cope with this handsome man with few words, we did quite a bit research beforehand on his friends and his favorite basketball. However, when we met and began the interview, his openness and bright laughter embarrassed our over-precaution.
I laugh because I feel happy. A fake laughter just makes me sick.
Wallace is known for his many roles on TV. From the widely acclaimed At the Dolphin Bay to the recently broadcasted Romance of Red Dust, his screen images were either cool, hot, or sorrowful. However, in his latest series Wu Shi Lang, he surprised the audience by making a comedy with the famous comedienne Miriam Yeung. In his own words, “He is an ordinary man: greedy, awkward, and bad martial art skills. He has all the shortcomings that you could find in common people; he is shallow, but he is also real.”
It was more than obvious that this role made him happy. We invited him to do an ad lib on this character. After pondering seriously for a while, he laughed. “It is not the right situation!”
Q: In our impression you didn't laugh a lot like this.
I am also surprised that I laughed quite often recently, without specific reasons. Sometimes in the filming studio people asked me why I laughed. I always replied, “Then why are you laughing? Can we only laugh for certain reasons?” I guess I had laughed all that I should do in ten years.
Q: Is that because of the comedy you just made with Miriam?
(pondering, and laughing) I never worked with someone who never abides the rule. I must be infected by her optimistic attitude, which is something I learned from her.
Q: In the past you used to be serious. Why?
I grew through different stages. Now I laugh because I am really happy from the bottom of my heart. A fake laughter only makes me sick. (Q: Then why you were unhappy before?) I always got sorrowful characters in the past. I could not enter the role if I laughed often. To tell you the truth, I don’t like it. That kind of deprives me of my right to laugh.
Q: What do you do when you are not filming TV?
Web surfing. I will browse my websites to read my fans' messages and all kinds of updates done by them. I also do some msn. I don't watch TV a lot, though.
Men only begin to mature after 25
To laugh, or not to laugh, with his impeccable look, Wallace is always the best synonym for a “florally pretty face” which takes center stage of nowadays entertainment business. We told him that he was crowned by some websites as “the man who is even prettier than a woman”, and his reaction was a bit outrageous. “Don't be kidding me. Do you agree with them after seeing me? Those who know me appreciate me as a genuine man, from face to feet!” He protested.
Although Wallace emphasized his simple style with T shirt, jeans and no make-up, and carefully avoided the issues on collaborating actresses, his name is still coupled with a lot of heresay love affairs. Perhaps this is the common fate of stars who have such attractive looks like him.
Q: You have made quite a few TV dramas with several actresses. Let's talk more about them.
In the beginning Miriam and me were like strangers, and she didn't laugh a lot, either. Later on we became good friends. She is a natural girl with laughter that can infect people. I think of her as my buddy.
Q: I am not sure whether she would take such words as compliments.
Either way will do (laugh), but it is good for guys who work with her, I mean, treating each other as buddies. In fact, she is quite considerate. For example, sometimes I got injured during shooting (pointing to the skin burns by fireworks on his neck), and she would help me with the medicine. In private Shu Qi is quite open, unlike those typical “girly” girls, and she is also considerate. However, she changed into a different person when shooting. I was often allured by her eyes when acting with her. Her deep understanding of the character can bring you to another world. It is very hard to describe what I felt from her. Sun Li is absolutely a “guy” in temper and personality. Ruby Lin is also like that, a guy-like personality encased by a tender girl outlook.
Q: So there is no Miss Right among so many actresses whom you had worked with?
(thinking for a while) No. Man, they are all buddy-like. What a shame. (laugh) (Q: What kind of girl do you like?) I like the neutral, more balanced type.
Q: Are you saying Yu-Chun Lee?
That's too neutral. What I mean is a balanced personality. The most important thing is communication. Also I hope she can be somewhat independent and can take care of herself without my attention all the time.
Q: If a girl actively pursues you…
I am OK, as long as she is not overwhelmingly open, which will scare me. I cannot imagine someone scream and jump on me (laugh). In fact, I don't have a lot of crazy things going on in my life. My life is quite plain, not as dramatic as that in the TV. You could say that my life is boring. The reason why I like making TV is because I can fulfill what I cannot achieve in real life. For example, the girlfriend stuff (laugh).
Q: Will you confess to someone you like?
I wouldn't do that in the past. I used to spend most of my time waiting. Now I may be more actively pursuing someone. You may lose something if you don't grab it when it comes. This year I want to be nice to myself. In the past I used to give way to other people, but now I won't. Man only grows after 25, perhaps.
Q: What makes you think so?
(thinking for a few seconds) There had been someone whom I liked two years ago but I didn't take the chance. I am so regretful since she is such a nice girl. So now I have made up my mind. As long as it is something you really want, just go for it, no matter whether it is a girl or sneakers. It is very likely that you never meet the same one again.
Q: I feel you may become a shopping-philia.
Shopping sneakers is a good way to relieve pressure. I buy three pairs every week. I often go to Shu Gia Huey when I make TV in Shanghai. I always go to the sports gear area in the stores.
Q: Are you romantic? What kind of presents will you buy for girls?
I am not romantic (sigh). I am a practical Capricorn. As for the gifts, necklaces, perfumes, something like that. Girls like to wear them everyday (laugh). I never send people sneakers because that means being chased by police. I never send flowers. They wither so quickly and it is such a waste. Money is also a good gift (laugh).
Q: It is said that Capricorns are chauvinistic.
Maybe. I hope she can follow me. For example, if I want to go to the zoo, I will ask her to go, no matter whether she wants or not. However, I will do the same thing for her, in exchange.
Postscrpt
Wallace said that his life is quite boring and has nothing other than making TV. If you ask him frankly whether he had been commented on as a boring handsome guy, he will admit with an embarrassed laughter. “People said that before. I don't mind. I only wish to be myself.” What does it mean to be oneself? “Do what you want.” His wish is simple: making good dramas, making music CD if chances allow, and perhaps other career choices or investments after 30…. Under the florally pretty face is a man with a simple and pragmatic philosophy for life.
Super basketball fan
It is well known that Wallace is a big fan of basketball. He often exercised after the shooting, and the gear of Kobe Bryant, the famous NBA star, is his talisman of TV making. “When I put it on, I gain confidence!” He said.
In the past his idol was Michael Jordan, and now it is Kobe Bryant. He played in the school team when he was in high school, but now he can only collect Jordan and Bryant's gears and shoes. The busy filming schedule does not grant him a lot of basketball time.
“When I own their gears, it makes me feel that I can have the same style and thinking as them. Especially in the recent two years, I learned a lot from them. In fact Kobe and Michael share something in common. They have frustrations. They may lose the game. But they never give up. This is also true to other business, especially the entertainments. There are a lot of criticisms and blows and difficulties, but you cannot give up. Kobe had a huge stumble in the past. I still remember in one CF this year, he said many people hated him, but this was why he became popular. It makes sense. It doesn't matter people hate me. The more you hate me, the stronger I will grow. When people think low of you, you should try to jump as high as you can. Of course I can only learn their attitude. If I also have their basketball skills, I will be in NBA right now!”
Translated by orion
