Gallen Harbour

Continued from Transcript (2)

The following transcript is not a news article, so please do not repost elsewhere. Thanks.

Cross-references:

• Vietnamese Transcript by Uyentam

• Chinese Transcript by 粉色梦呓

Photos: Baidu

Behind the Divorce

S: Everything about you is… long-lasting. Your showbiz career has lasted 24 years, with 18 years at TVB. Such a long time. Your love life was quite long-lasting as well. Since the time you two met, dated, got married, and until recently, divorced, this love story had lasted for almost 30 years. What was the reason that had forced you two to make the move, to divorce, to re-evaluate?

G: I have thought, and I have said these: in this world, it’s very difficult to say what is wrong, and what is not wrong. It’s just so hard to separate them, and so the most important thing is having both parties willing to face the problem calmly and to solve it peacefully. Sometimes, the viable solution would be, such as my case, a breakup. Divorce, in the typical eyes of the general public, wouldn’t be a good thing. I meant, everyone would most likely, if not definitely, advice against it. But then in some cases, it mustn’t be a bad thing. For us, even though we are now divorced, but things are still as well as, if not better than, before. We are polite toward one another, yes, but it stems from sincerity. There are many things you wouldn’t see or appreciate when you are inside. Not until you lose them. For me, I’ve lost something, but I’ve also gained something else…

S: What have you possibly gained from this?

G: In the past, I would go home after filming, see my son and wife, and felt nothing so special about it. It was as normal as it should be. Now that we have decided on this move, have parted, I on the contrary begin to think of many ways - of what and how to try - to love my son. I have always been the one that makes him laugh, but I’ve never tried more (than that).

S: What actually happened that brought you to this decision? Was it just time that made you realize it’s more appropriate to go separate ways?

G: I feel, just like our elders said, it was fated.

S: So the problem was that you no longer felt toward one another? How did you approach it?

G: Yes, that was the problem. We talked… As you know, it is I who work in this entertainment business which my wife and son have been innocently dragged into. They don’t work here, yet because of me, she has to share many of my burdens.

S: You had separated for a year before reaching the decision of an official divorce. You must have insisted on keeping the secret under wrap. How did you do that?

G: I must thank all my friends who had helped me (to keep it a secret), I have realized through this incident that they are my true friends.

S: You told your friends?

G: Yes, I did.

S: And they kept it under wrap?

G: They did help me to do so.

S: Are these friends of yours in or out of showbiz?

G: Both, actually.

S: Did you break this to your parents?

G: Yes, it worked out fine one day when my parents came to visit. At first I wouldn’t think my father could come, since he had been suffering from a heart condition. But that day they both came, and somehow Clare and my son were out, as was our housekeeper. It was about 2 in the afternoon and I was getting really nervous. I didn’t know how to break the news to them or what kind of reaction I should expect. I went to the fridge, got myself two beers, and downed them to summon my courage. I found my father watching daily news on TV, so I waited until they were done, then came forward and declared “Mom, Dad, I have something I need to tell you!” I sat down while my parents’ eyes grew as wide as headlights. “What happened? What have you done?” I’d never talked that way to them, and (obviously) made them nervous. I had to start with the… daily news to calm my father down, and finally broke the news about the divorce “I had to so-and-so…” Luckily my parents were quite sympathetic, and they respected my decision.

S: What about your son? How did you tell him? He’s nine, isn’t he? What did you two tell him?

G: Very gently… Not right after the decision was made, since we strictly can’t talk to him in a heavy mood. We had to wait for a while, then told him gently that both Mom and Dad still loved him so much. We had to tread very lightly.

S: Did he accept?

G: He did. But then his personality is very mild. Even when he was little, if a friend pushed him, he would never push back.

S: Just like yours.

G: Yes, he wouldn’t fight back. He is very generous, very accepting. I think his EQ is also quite high.

S: Has he ever said “Mom, Dad, please do not…”?

G: Well, when the problem first emerged…

S: In 2002?

G: (I think) he knew it. He could feel it.

S: Nowadays children are very quick in sensing (such things)

G: That year I was filming in Shanghai, Clare took my son to go visit me. He didn’t say anything, but he tried to imply his hope by holding both my hand and his mother’s hand in his, swinging himself in between us. He tried to talk using his action.

S: It must hurt.

G: It still does.

S: Back in 2002 you two did see the problem, did try to manage it, so that you could stay together?

G: We did.

S: Have you ever thought of the past as so unreal? You loved each other for 19 long years, and then the marriage only lasted for 9 years.

G: It’s really hard to say. I thought it was fated, such divine arrangement. You have what you have, and lose what you lose. What else can I say… But then, in this whole story, the only thing the media cares for is whether or not a third party was involved.

S: Yes or no? Was it a reason, or was it just rumor?

G: I can only say that time will prove everything.

S: You mean there’s no third party, neither from your side nor your wife’s? Only… love has faded?

G: Affection…

S: But then there are so many marriage couples who have come from love to appreciation and even stay together solely because of responsibility. You didn’t think you could do so?

G: If it was just because of responsibility, I don’t think we should do so.

S: So what’s your plan? Will you visit them periodically?

G: Definitely, definitely. I will also try the best to have more time for my son. I’d like to bring him to class, spending more time with him. I just have to try my very best.

S: What about the future? Will you consider marriage if in the future you meet a special someone?

G: The future is unpredictable. If you ask me whether I am suffering from marriage-phobia, then the answer is no. I still believe in fate, and still try to recuperate. It’s a little hard, but I’ll try. I know I am a little stubborn.

S: Well then, as you have to assume your responsibility, you just have to shoulder your wife and son’s living expense, hahaha… It’s not a problem, right? If only money would solve problems, then there would be no problem too big (to solve).

G: Lols… It is only secondary. I found the sentiment as much more important.

Cannot Escape - [Jessica] Hsuan Huen

S: There is an actress who has always been dragged in…

G: Hsuan Huen.

S: Yes, Hsuan Huen she is.

G: lol

S: What role did she really play?

G: She? Her role? Why don’t we ask her? Being born into this world and (bothered) for the last ten years or so, she must have owed me or something, lol

S: Ah, yes. For that rumor of Jessica wanting to have a baby from IVF and Louis to be the donor, you said “why him, why not me”, didn’t you?

G: lol. It was during the time I came to Singapore. I was only joking, implying nothing whatsoever. We are very close, so she should feel free to ask. It’s not a big deal. I know us, Chinese, still have a very traditional mindset toward this (IVF), but I don’t see why we shouldn’t (consider IVF).

S: You don’t mind being a donor?

G: No, I don’t. It’s modern society we’re living in. Many people have resorted to this solution. It should not be about you or me, or any other donors. Between her and I, I don’t see any problem. If there was (something between us), I wouldn’t have said what I did say, lol.

S: hahaha, so has Jessica ever been able to attract Gallen?

G: Well, the fact is I do have feelings toward my partners while filming. I’ve said this during (earlier) interviews - since I film a lot of series, current one isn’t wrapped up, the next one is already waiting, there isn’t any time to think about (those feelings). I really hope the audience would understand that we artists are not that liberal. (We don’t) entangle ourselves with all the complex relationships. It’s not like that at all. We are rich of emotions, however. Let’s just say we “sell” our emotions on screen. For each series or movie, we must let ourselves become the characters, and for a certain period of time (of filming), we just hope to do our best.

S: Now that you have officially divorced your wife, yet you still live under the same roof? Will there be any problem?

G: I don’t think so. I respect her decision, however. If sometimes later we need to live apart, then we will. I’ll see what she thinks.

S: I really hope and sincerely wish you a happy love life in the future, rebuild your family, so that your son would feel the warmth of love and security. Wish you and your wife forever be friends.

G: Thanks.

S: Thank you for joining me for dinner tonight. It’s time for the souvenir. (Please, Helen). I know you love music so I got this HiFi system especially for you. It’s the latest model…

G: It feels heavy. Must be good…

S: You know these gadgets best. Hopefully you could enjoy it together with your son and Clare. It will prove that you are friends. Well, needless to say, your son will always be your son. Thanks.

G: As if you were giving me another award, lol.

S: Is it not? The fourth, haha… Hope you will continue to win. Thank you.

G: Thank you!