Gallen Harbour

Source: Sun HK [on.cc]

Photo: on.cc

From left: Gallen Lo’s life is open and aboveboard, carried out with clear conscience [carried out with nothing to be ashamed of]; To lead a single life, he needs time to adapt; His favorite drinks - use them to open up (a passage to) his heart.

[Brief]

Gallen Lo says frankly that he has yet to get used to the life of a bachelor after divorcing his wife. Entering a new stage of life, he admits there are many things to learn and to adapt to. Using wines to refer to life, Gallen likes to think of whisky as prime time, where an internal flame would be required.

His life now is more like a cup of sake.

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.

Continue Reading »

Continued from Transcript (1)

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

The “Wooden Figure” Lo Ka Leung

S: When you first started, many commented that Lo Ka Leung was (as stiff as) a wooden stick. Upon hearing such criticism, you must have felt terrible.

G: Yes, of course.

S: What did you do to overcome?

G: I didn’t think I was so bad…

S: You thought those criticisms were unreasonable, perhaps?

G: Something like that. I thought since I was trying my best already, it didn’t quite make sense that it wasn’t there. But a year or two passed by and those criticisms didn’t go away. I wanted to cry out - all of us needed a way to earn a living, you used a pen, I sold my act, why couldn’t you possibly leave me a way out? Then later while chatting with a close friend, it suddenly dawned on me “But they might very well speak the truth. If so, I probably need to try even harder, make it even better, right?” Thinking back years later, I thanked them for what had been written. It truly was a motivation.

S: Did you ever think of reaching out, mingling with those reporters, giving them friendlier treatment, and hoping they would not write so harshly about you? Have you ever done so?

G: No, I haven’t. I do, however, have friends who work as reporters. Whenever we meet, we are nice toward one another. But so far I’ve never purposely set up appointments with them. I believe the only one you could count on is yourself. You have to do what you do well, you have to show everyone that you could do it, then naturally people will acknowledge your effort.

S: Which series or scene was it - when you felt that you’d improved and learned how not to be a wooden stick? What was that turning point?

G: “Vengeance”, since…

S: Ah, Kiu Lik!

G: Yes, Kiu Lik. He was an antagonist, very evil, but it made sense how he became such a person.

S: Weren’t you worried about the challenges of (portraying) an antagonist?

G: I wasn’t. The fact is I had stuck with the good characters for years up to that point - 8, 10 years into my career, and…

S: And yet no breakthrough? hahaha

G: No breakthrough, I was so sure I was doomed, haha… So when Kiu Lik came, I just, well… When the series was aired, my character was doing fine. But after that came nothing much, not a single note-worthy role. That wasn’t a very optimistic period of time.

10 Years of Struggling

S: After you finished with Kiu Lik and no other good role came along, you continued to struggle. Has it ever crossed your mind - the thought about leaving showbiz?

G: No. I wouldn’t have known what else I could do (once I left showbiz), would I?

S: Dead end?

G: Yes, dead end! Then I was thinking, no, more like trying to convince myself - This was my job, a job. And the pay was okay…

S: But you were miserable! I’ve read some tabloids who said you had to save a lunch box for both lunch and dinner?

G: Well…

S: That was true?

G: The worst for us actors back then was attending function. Unlike nowadays when everyone has sponsors, back then we didn’t. Whenever there was a function, half of your monthly salary would go into your attire. From about $3000 (HKD) you were left with $1500, and you’re doomed. We dreaded those press conferences and functions, but there was only one option left: you have to act really well, you have to make a name for yourself, or else you’d have to play with the (financial) balance.

S: Someone commented that the reason Gallen Lo Ka Leung had to wait for such a long time for a chance to make his name was because of his lack in socializing skill or rather, his lack of socializing. How do you think? Is it correct?

G: Yes, it was like that for a long period of time. Back then the first floor of the TVB building was for us actors, while the fourth floor was for directors and producers… I can’t remember exactly when, but one day it shot through me… “Hey Lo Ka Leung, shouldn’t you try to come up to the fourth floor more often?”

S: Just passing by so at least the directors and producers could learn about your existence, huh?

G: Just passing by, haha… It wasn’t so bad, was it? But it all depended on your perspective. A very close friend of mine once teased me “Gallen, I was walking so far away and you still said hi? Isn’t it a bit too obvious?” What could I say? He was a friend and I really did want to say hi. I felt okay, and since then I tried to become more initiative.

S: Did it really help?

G: Somewhat. I thought of each series I filmed as a harbour I had reached. Once a person got to know me, he would recognize my ability, and that mustn’t be a bad thing… At least I wouldn’t be out of jobs.

S: At least they’d think of you?

G: Yes, exactly. The most important thing is still how you treat others.

S: You have reached so many harbours, which one was particularly helpful to you?

G: I can’t really pinpoint…

S: Hey, be honest, will you?! Which one?

G: I guess that must be uncle Tommy [Leung Ka Shu]

S: “Cold Blood Warm Heart”!

G: Yes, “Cold Blood Warm Heart”. I talked to him quite often, chatting, asking for advices. When filming of CBWH wrapped up, he gave me some suggestions. “If you would like to earn the audience’s affection, consider switching to comedies!” That was his advice. “Old Time Buddy” had yet been announced at the point, so he asked me whether I’d like to try “I haven’t told anyone”, he added.

S: And he told you?

G: Uh huh

S: I think what he tried to say was “I think you should try, but any consequences won’t be my responsibility!”, wasn’t it? hahaha…

G: No, hahaha… Well, such a chance would revive or it would kill, but I felt since my life wasn’t so significant, let me just give it another try. It went something like this “Geez, I’ve been on this line of business for 9, 10 years and couldn’t make a decent name. I deserve to just disappear. Haizzz, nobody would ever invite me to be on the cover page. That’s it. I’m done.”

S: Even when you divorced, and still, nobody asked you to be on the cover, hahhaha

G: See, I just am not worth it, hahaha… But, well, thoughts like that just… came.

Continue Reading »

Part 1

Part 2

Transcript:

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

Host (Stephen Chan): Our guest for dinner today is Lo Ka Leung. Lo Ka Leung joined TVB nearly 20 years ago and is the first artist who won Best Actor three times. Recently he and his wife have divorced, blaming their own personalities and not any third party as the culprit. That was nearly 30 years of feelings. (Let us see) how much memories this had brought Ka Leung.

Stephen: Cheers! Welcome your return to TVB!

Gallen: Cheers.

S: Have you seen the ad, the “Lo Ka Leung returns” ad?

G: Oh, that!

S: How’s the feeling?

G: Absolutely good… Warm, and touched!

S: Really?

G: Yes

S: What’s so touching?

G: I’ve been with TVB for many years. Now because of me, TVB did such publicity (the ad), I felt very much honored.

S: We’re good to you, yes?

G: Good attention, yes.

S: So does it mean it doesn’t matter how much ATV promises, you won’t go over there?

G: Haha

S: Have they, in fact, sought you out to talk?

G: Yes, yes, we’ve talked a few times. But the truth is I have always regarded TVB as my home. See, I grew up here.

S: You have left for many years. Should have been almost five years. Now you’ve returned. Do you feel any difference working here now, or it is still hard work, just like in the past?

G: Hmm, not much difference, really. But coming back here and getting back in touch with so many good friends, for me, is feel-good time.

S: Just the past few weeks Ng (Francis Ng) criticized TVB new actors and their acting skills, frankly saying their skills are raw and amateur… Now you, even though you have left the TVB circle for a while, but when you come back and interact with the new generation of actors, it shouldn’t be totally unfamiliar since Myolie and you have cooperated before. Do you think that such criticism is unfounded, or do you share the same view?

G: First, actually, if I was one of the veterans…

S: You are, haha

G: Well, if we assume so, I think we should be inclusive, we should be sympathetic to, and be willing to accept. If you ask yourself how in the end their acting would end up being. I think we all need time. Francis and many of us all spent many years to learn the art. But then, we did benefit (learn) a lot from our seniors as well. I myself, for example, had received many pointers from Bik Jie. She mentioned that when you’re (trying to act that you are) not happy, you could sit on a bed and draw a knee up toward your chest, you know, the way your grandfather would sit…

S: She actually taught you that?

G: Yes, taught me in the back room. She said doing so would look very good (natural). [Mimosa: I'm thinking of the image of Tim half-sitting on his hotel bed with a knee drawn upward, in the adjacent room Helen (Flora Chan) was singing Amazing Grace]

S: You’re such a good student

G: It was a good suggestion, hence I listened to. My point is, good guidances are very valuable.

Continue Reading »

Source: Sun

Photos: Sun

From left: Gallen Lo has been working in Mainland for years, has many friends and hence will not feel lonely; Gallen plays down his feelings, hopes time would heal; Gallen tries to look at everything with a sense of calm and balance, believes there is a solution to every problem.

[Brief]

Coming back after years of working in China Mainland, Gallen Lo is still very much himself, except that he is now again a bachelor.

If time could be turned back, would Gallen do something to prevent the tragedy from happening, to re-write his own destiny? After all, they’ve dated, married, and had a son. Within those 28 long years by each other’s side, they must have shared not only hardships, but also honors. Isn’t it such a pity?

“I really want to say the feelings have been overwhelming,”  lamented Gallen.  “But then I think it’s part of life - the differences, the difficulties, and I could only try to look at everything in its sense of balance.  It helps in relieving the pressure, allows the problem to be narrowed down, allows a solution to be found, sincerely.”

Admitting defeat (facing the failure of their marriage) is one thing, being responsible is the other. Parting as friends, Gallen and his wife share mutual understanding of each other’s cares and needs. Leaving their son in his wife’s custody, Gallen himself continues on to earn their bread from the entertainment industry.

Credits:

Original article: Ming Pao

Magazine scans: Anime of TVB Index

English translation: Rea

Our special thanks!

Informed Jessica Hsuan about his divorce before revealing it to the press

Gallen Lo – Would collaborate with her again

In the beginning of July, Gallen Lo admitted his divorce in this magazine. Even though he has insisted that the breakup of his marriage was not caused by a third party, Jessica Hsuan is already being indicted into this incident. Recently, when Gallen returned to Hong Kong to attend a function, he was relentlessly questioned by the press and has become the object of their interest even though his lifestyle has not changed at all since his divorce. Gallen already predicted that Jessica would be hounded by the press and informed her about his divorce before it became public news. In addition, Gallen will be returning to Hong Kong in November to film a 40 episode series for TVB. It hasn’t been decided yet who is female co-star will be, but Gallen wouldn’t mind working with Jessica again.

Ever since Gallen Lo admitted his divorce in this magazine’s second monthly issue (7/15), he has remained working in Hong Kong. He has further become the target of the press when reports came out that he had given his wife the $40,000,000 house and that he himself now has no more than $2,000,000 in assets. There are further reports that Jessica Hsuan was the cause of the breakup. To this, Gallen directly responds, “I disclosed the breakup of my marriage because I am part of the entertainment circle. I’ve said everything in my MingPao Weekly interview. Anything else is false and I will not respond to it.”

Even though Gallen’s divorce has been finalized, he continues to remain at his ex-wife’s home in Yu Ying Wan, indicating that their relationship remains on good terms. He says: I will remain in Hong Kong to attend promotional functions for “When a Dog Loves a Cat” and other activities. I will stay at my ex-wife’s for the time that I am in Hong Kong. My life remains mostly the same and has changed very little from before. Whatever happens, time will tell.” He keeps in contact with is ex-wife and son, who are vacationing overseas. He says: “I will not disclose any information about them, just that my son is having a good time where he is.” Even though Gallen will leave in the beginning of August to return to film overseas, he will come back Hong Kong in September to help his son adjust to the new school year.

Likes to Film Long Series

As for rumors of Jessica Hsuan being the cause of the breakup, Gallen has already predicted it and so he informed Jessica before news of his divorce became public. He says: “The press is going to go after her, which is something beyond my control.” Gallen is still busy promoting his new series, but will start filming a new series for TVB in November. However, neither his female co-star nor other cast members have been cast yet for the series. He says: “There is Ray Lui,…It was only when I read the newspaper that I found out that a female co-star has yet to be chosen (Would you mind working with Jessica Hsuan again?) It doesn’t matter, whatever the company decides.

Gallen’s contract with TVB has already ended, so his collaboration with them for the new series is freelance, which gives him more freedom during negotiations. He says: “Many netizens want me to film a longer series, probably because Cold Blood Warm Heart, At the Threshold of an Era, etc. have all been long series, which gives the audience time to enjoy. I actually like filming longer series as well because when filming twenty-episode series, I have a feeling of incompleteness.

Considering Living Situation Overseas

Even though Gallen will stay in Hong Kong for roughly four more months to film the 40-episode series, but the overseas market remains his priority. Regarding it, he says: “The real estate market in the mainland is really competitive. Hong Kong residents are considered outsiders, so they are only allowed purchase one piece of property. Besides, there are predictions that the prices of property will fall after the Olympics, so I plan to take my time choosing a suitable one. However, I have never said that I will relocate to Beijing or somewhere else in the mainland. I’m only considering living quarters so as to make it more convenient when I am working overseas.

As for the new series “When a Dog Loves a Cat,” a lot of people are no doubt looking forward to it because it’s been five years since Gallen has filmed a TVB series aired in Hong Kong. He says: “My only hope is that the audience will enjoy it. Even though I have aspirations for overseas work, there’s no pressure right now to pursue it. WADLAC is very special in that it will feature many dogs and cats. I had a good time filming it, getting the chance to spend time with old friends. After filming, we often would go out for hotpot. It felt like a party oftentimes.”

In WADLAC, Gallen’s relationship with Myolie Wu has changed from family to a romantic couple. Regarding her acting skills, he says: “She is constantly improving and very hardworking. She sets high standard for herself as an artist, and in this regard, I really admire that.” Even though Gallen and Myolie have an age gap of more than ten years, they are still able to exude the feeling of a couple, it seems that Gallen’s youthful appearance may have something to do with that. He says: “I’ve always considered walking to be a form of exercise. I spend an hour power walking every night. Actually, this habit was fostered since I was a child because the building I used to live in Sum Sui Bo doesn’t have a lift. In the fourteen years that I lived there, I had to climb eight flights of stairs everyday. During breaks between filming, I still get around by walking. I don’t sit around much nor eat too much. When filming overseas, I loved eating noodles with spicy foods. I heard somewhere that eating spicy foods is good for the skin, which made me want nothing but spicy foods all the time. Also, I drank a lot of water and two cups of coffee everyday because coffee is good for the body.

Please credit Rea should you wish to repost this article. Much thanks!

Ming Pao Weekly: Gallen Lo Frankly Admitted Divorce. His ex-wife: It’s a Form of Relief

Link: http://www.mingpaoweekly.com/

Scans: Baidu (click on thumbnails to enlarge)

07.05.2008

Free falling from cloud nine to rock bottom, I am now crushed! Gallen Harbour will be on hiatus from now until I figure out a way to convince myself that divorce is really so common, especially in show business. Meanwhile, you could visit TVB Index where Anime will continue to bring you the latest of TVB buzzes, among which you might find Gallen’s pieces. Anime, thanks!

So long!

07.12.2008

“If one’s dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again…”

Thank you all for your caring comments, here as well as elsewhere. The insights you shared have helped me a lot to get back onto my feet and start picking up a broken piece. Thank you!

The following translation of the above-mentioned article was generously provided by Rea from Mosiac. Please credit Rea if you wish to repost. Other related articles can be found here (thanks to Sehseh) and here (thanks to TkN for the link and to Dragon888 for the translation). Gallen has also poured his heart here in his latest blog entry. We can do nothing but respect Gallen and his family for their decision, and continue to support him in this difficult time the little way we know how.

Verbal Dialogue has always been the most ideal form of communication, but when the worst type of communication – arguments, is no longer present either, what will happen to the relationship between two people?

Recently, when news of Gallen Lo’s divorce from his wife of ten years, Fong Man Yee was released from the legal court, I almost didn’t believe it and contacted Gallen to confirm, and was in even more disbelief when he admitted it, saying: “Paper cannot cover fire, when that time comes, I will have to face the outside world. We were already separated for a year and just recently finished completing the divorce procedures. We talked for a long time before making the decision to divorce.” I didn’t think that Gallen would be willing to speak so candidly about his divorce over the phone.

As for Mrs. Lo (or rather the former Mrs. Lo), when asked by this magazine about the divorce, said: “Divorce was a type of resolution and after we made the decision, I felt relieved.”

Both parties insist that they remain friends, she also went on to say: “Our relationship as friends is more suitable for us, and I feel better about it.”

Fong Man Yee has been with Gallen for almost twenty-eight years from the time of their dating days to marriage, and to divorce. Almost heading to thirty years, communication should not be a problem for their relationship, yet that was precisely the problem in their marriage. Gallen states: “It was gradual. We often went an entire day without speaking to each other since we were both so busy. That is not what we wanted from our marriage and we felt like we’ve been living that kind of life for the past ten years. (There’s no third party?) Of course not, after a year of separation, we sat down together with peace of mind and talked for a long time before coming to the decision to divorce. It was only recently that we completed the divorce proceedings.”

It turns out that Gallen and his wife has been thinking about divorce since 2001, but at that time, they considered the fact that their son was only three years old, still very young, and they had hoped that their marriage could be saved, so they intentionally did not bother to begin divorce proceedings. Gallen says: “We did discussed it at that time, but the notion was eventually forgotten, not to mention I left TVB in 2003 and started finding more work overseas and spent a lot of time away from my family. To my family and I, it definitely had an impact. The time away also didn’t allow me to address the problem in my marriage.”

Never called her “My Wife”

Starting from 2003, Gallen has been trying to break into the mainland market, constantly filming five, six series during the time between 2003 and 2006. In the last two, three years, Gallen has only returned to Hong Kong two, three times to visit his family, so during school holidays, his wife would visit him on the mainland set with their son to take advantage of some family time, causing his relationship with his wife to experience “Clear Weather after Rain”. He says: “During this time, we both worked hard at salvaging our marriage and our relationship improved, but there were other exterior factors that came with trying to pursue my career in the mainland, and whenever I encountered obstacles or problems, I didn’t like to talk to my wife about it because I felt that it wouldn’t help matters anyway, but it turns out that she wanted to hear about it. She wanted to know how I was doing. Because we both didn’t bother to tell each other about what was going on in our lives, the chasm between us grew larger and larger, and then there was nothing left to talk about. Not to mention, I’ve always been an introvert, not wanting to speak much, and during these last few years in the mainland, I’ve been living on my own. Whenever I finished filming for the day, I usually returned to the hotel to rest, read a book or watch DVD, which fostered my habit of not talking. We could spend up to a day without speaking one word to each other. When we returned to Hong Kong, the silence continued. She would be cooking in the kitchen or taking care of our son, I would be in the living room reading the newspaper. I was even growing distant from my son. My wife and son could spend the whole day talking to each other, and I rarely participated in their conversations. Whenever I played with my son, she was never present. Even in this activity, we were separate. We were beginning to have our own individual lives.”

In addition to the lack of communication, the reason for their divorce could also lie in their individual lifestyle. He says: “I never called her ‘wife’ like our son would call her ‘mommy.’ Even in correspondence, I would use ‘Mr. Lo,’ not ‘husband.’ We don’t even argue. Arguments are also another form of communication. Without communication, without passion, should we really continue on? So we sat down together with peace of mind and harmony, hoping to resolve the problem, and in the end, we finally decided to live separately for a year before performing the divorce proceedings.”

Difficult to break the news to family

After deciding to divorce, the two actually felt more relaxed, Gallen states: “In the past, I felt that it was a requirement for my wife to take care of me. I never expressed my gratitude to anything that she did, but now I am able to express what’s deep in my heart. The feeling is different.”

But another issue arise after the decision to divorce and that was to tell both families about their decision. Gallen says: “Because my father has been experiencing some heart trouble, his health was not doing so well. I was concerned that he would not be able to accept it, so I didn’t dare to tell him. My wife advised me to control my emotions, that I cannot be too hasty, that I must speak calmly, because she understood what my personality is like whenever I felt impatient. She always said that it only takes me three seconds to go from zero to a hundred. Happily, my parents did understand our situation, but now there is another problem, and that was how to break the news to our son. I had to tell him before it is printed on the tabloids.”

Caring about son’s well-being

When talking about his son, Gallen states lightheartedly: “Everyone knows I deeply love and care about my son. Whenever I encounter the paparazzi when I go out, I would ask that his picture not be taken. It never occurred to me that I would be the one to hurt him. Even though I want to be able to live with him, he will live with his mother, but I am still in charge of his well-being and needs. Living with his mother and having her care will be better for him, not to mention I will not be able to take care him as well as I should because I am always away filming. Before our divorce, whenever I spent time with my son, I always felt so torn. On one hand, I wanted to spend as much time as I could with him, but always felt sad because I was going to miss it. I hope that he’ll someday understand where his father is coming from.”

When Gallen was interviewed, he still referred to his wife as ‘Tai Tai (wife).’ It seems like the current state of their relationship is not bad. As for what’s going to happen to their material assets, Gallen has in the past year sold the house he purchased in 2003 and purchased another property nearby. The distribution of their material assets is now being decided by legal means. Gallen says: “We still have a mortgage on the house, and selling it was the most logical step. As for putting my wife’s name on the lease, it is only logical because my wife has always been responsible for it. My wife has always taken care of our assets for many years. I didn’t look too much into it because money is only an object. I only hope that my wife and son can live happily. She is a good daughter in law, mother, and wife. It is just that our fate as husband and wife has ended.”

Ex-wife…still friends

From the looks of it, Gallen and his wife can still maintain a friendly relationship, so when we expressed our desire to interview ‘Mrs. Lo,’ Gallen immediately said: “Sure, she knows you as well. I’ll get her on the phone for you.” Ten minutes later, Mrs. Lo really did come to the phone. About their divorce, she says: “I’m not part of the entertainment industry, so I don’t want to say much. After our divorce, my relationship with Gallen is very good. I just want him to take care of his health, don’t drink too much. When we meet again, it will be as friends. Our relationship as friends is actually more comfortable. Divorce was a form of resolution for us.”

After divorce, Gallen resumes his solitary lifestyle and filming overseas, but he also said: “I also want to film another 40 episode series with TVB, so I can meet with the Hong Kong audience again. Before he ended our conversation, he said: “Even though times have changed and divorce is not such a big issue anymore, but I will always remain my son’s father. I hope that this event will not affect my son and that they will not become fodder for reporters’ gossip. I am very grateful for the help of my friends during this time, their support is very important to me.”

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