Gallen Harbour

Credit:
Apple Daily, Feng, Renchao reported 12/10/2005
sze_jess and megan for Chinese article re-keying
Jingjing Sun for Chinese-English translation
All pictures are courtesy of Apple Daily
Vietnamese article by mimosa can be found here

2005 is the 600th anniversary of Zheng He’s expeditions to the western seas in Ming Dynasty. In order to praise Zheng He’s remarkable achievements in Chinese navigational history, the China Central Television (CCTV) of mainland has been, for a while now, preparing a 40-episode of large-scale historical drama series, titled “Zheng He’s expeditions”. The drama has already begun shooting secretly in Beijing.

Feng, Renchao knows that Gallen Lo Ka Leung will play the first actor to deduct Zheng He, the legend character. As a star originated from Hong Kong, he adds pride to the actors of Hong Kong.

CCTV always values highly historical dramas. Mostly in the past, those who are appointed in those dramas will be leading actors from mainland China, not the stars from Hong Kong. Gallen, however, has previously played the leading roles in many TV series, which has been rebroadcasted many times in mainland. His performing skills, therefore, are highly recognized. Having been in the industry for many years, Gallen has garnered rich acting experience and great reputation throughout mainland; hence certainly obtains the favor of CCTV.

Carefully study the historical documents

Gallen is the only star from Hong Kong who will participate in this drama. Tang Guoqiang plays the role of Yong Le Emperor, who will have the most screentimes associated with Gallen. Tang is a first-class actor in mainland, whose most widely recognized role is Yong Zheng Emperor in the famous drama titled “Yong Zheng Dynasty”. Another actor from mainland is Du, Yulu, so-called a “national treasure actor”, who played in “Big dwelling gate”. To corporate with those famous actors from mainland, Gallen does not dare to contempt. It is heard that Gallen had carefully studied the historical documents of Zheng He and well prepared for playing this role, by several months before shooting.

It will take more than a half year for the photography to complete, and the drama is planned to be broadcasted in the middle of 2006 at the earliest. The details will be announced in the news release conference at the end of this month.

::: mimosa :::

Copyright @ Gallen Harbour

May the new year of 2006 become yet another successful year for our beloved Gallen. And for all of us, let’s anticipate a year full of great series from the one artist we all admire and adore so much. Let’s see… Lady Wang in Exile should be released oversea very soon. Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Seas should be wrapped up at about May and so we should be able to see at least the trailer of that epic series as well. Just from the titles of these two series, one could see the direction toward which captain Gallen is commanding his career battleship: dramas of the great, ever-mysterious and seemingly bottomless oceans of Chinese history. Though these two latest roles of Gallen are quite heavy on the historical side of TV entertainment, they are indubitably rich, deep, multifacet and sophisticate; hence they are perfect for him to challenge his skills and partially quench his desires to invade and conquer yet another area. Both the roles, The Chanyu of Xiongnu (Lady Wang in Exile) and The Great Admiral Zheng He (Zheng He), are well-known historical figures, yet they’re of two distinctive individuals - heroic and human in their very own ways.

Will Gallen be remembered once again because of these roles, as he’s been so dearly remembered by Tsui Ka Lup (Cold Blood Warm Heart), Winson (Secret of the Hearts), Tim (At the Threshold of an Era) and Ivan (Golden Faith)? Will he change the view of his TV viewers on the worn-out belief that Gallen is not born for ancient series? Not a typical Chinese prince charming with slant eyes, fair skin and jet-black smooth long hair, in both of the afore-mentioned series, Gallen features traditional non-Chinese (or non-Han) figures. The Chanyu (Khan or King) in Lady Wang was a Huns, and Admiral Zheng He, despite the fact that he was the greatest Admiral of the Ming Dynasty, was born a Semur (a tribe outside of China back to the days). The castings, at very cursory glance from a by-stander, seem quite appropriate since Gallen’s facial features are just a shade Western-er than the typical Chinese. Looking at it from another standpoint, and one realizes a very professional and serious attitude of the artist himself toward selecting the roles he wants to play.

Let’s all wish Gallen great success for the year and years to come!

Happy 2006 to all of us!