ANDY NEWS JUNE/JULY 2000
9/7---This is the worst record for Andy's song on S'pore 933 Top 20 chart. You Are The Greatest Pride In My Life tumbles to the 8th position, 7th time on the chart. If other singers's fans can vote their songs to be No.1 5 times, Andy's fans can vote to keep this song for some more weeks. Dear S'pore fans, continue to call & call & call, 1900-912-0933, can, please??!!...
Date: 11 July 00
Source: Show 8
....Andy was guest performer at Miss HK Beauty Pageant. Roman Tan in an interview praised that Joey Yeung performed well, but the best performer for the night was Andy Lau, for a long time he has not seen Andy so handsome (Andy Town:...seen all the time!...), followed by Eason Chan...
Headline: Andy Lau targeted by Madame Trousseau Wax Museum
Madam Trousseau Wax Museum in London with its 100 over years of history has set up its only Asian branch in HK, to be opened officially on 29th of July. Boxes of the mannequins had arrived in HK, other than the famous few from HK including Jacky Chan, Bruce Li, Li Ka-shin & Li Li-shan, the in-charge, Paul, disclosed that the next person on their target is Best Actor Andy Lau.
Paul added that the targeted persons are selected by a commettee based in London, the criteria is that the person must be well known internationally, it cannot be bought with money, & not many persons will be added each year, every mammequin costs HK$350,000 to make, they have invested HK$ 1.2 billion on HK branch....
....Regarding Anita Mui appearence on andylau.com, Alan Tam said Anita & Andy has strong emotional link, he does not block any side, there is no problem for Anita to appear at Andy's web....
Diary from andylau.com
9/7---Went as guest for Miss HK Beauty pageant, thought had a chance to see beautiful ladies, but they had rehearsal, there was no chance! But, before the show I have already encouraged everyone! Andy
Date: 10 July 00
Source: Apple Daily
Headline: Teacher-discilpe filming of commercial has changed government, Andy granted permission from Sin-hua News Agency to learn art of change-face
Earlier on Andy paid rspects to Peng Denghui as teacher to learn Sichuan art of change-face, but had invited much antagonism from Sichuan cultural group, they thought the art is an exclusive property of the country & is not to be imparted to outsiders.
Accodringly, news from Central pointed out that Sichuan official side has now 'changed face', they have arranged for Andy to be officially accepted to the Sichuan opera school, so as to understand in depth the art of Sichuan change-face.
Low-key signifies sincerity
The commercial of HKnet displays the art of change-face, Andy & his teacher appear together, it was approved by the appropriate govt depts & Sichuan Sinhua News Agency, this clearly indicate opposition staged by the unit has taken a turn, they feel the ad can help to glorify the art.
In order to learn the art, Andy has all along wishes Sichuan govt & cultural dept understand his sincerity, in response to the earlier opposition arising from this event. Andy from beginning to end appears very low-keyed, & he just hopes that the ones who oppose to it will understand one day, now finally the sky is clear after the storm, maybe they are moved by Andy's sincerity.
The reporter tried to contact Andy yesterday, until news time he has not replied.
Diary from andyalu.com
8/7---Continue to record for my new album. Today collaborated with a new producer, hope can have different style for everyone to listen. Finally, only one song is recorded today, never mind lah, it is said slow work produces fine products! Andy
Date: 9 July 00
(I could not login to diary
section of andylau.com till this am, wah, so many days!)
7/7---Personally & basically I love recording radio drama , as can shake off own image, use your voice & feelings, to move others, everyone will not be because of my face then like my voice. The drama series on the net is calld 'Ah Jou's Direction'. The storyline is all abt daily city life, of course deviates not from love! But one step further than needing you. The one who write this drama series, is the same authior as Needing You, named Ah Ming, I think everyone is v familiar, as in our previous collaboration, there are many things that everybody likes, hope this net drama serial 'Ah Jou's Direction' can again moves everybody! Just who is my partner? Go & listen for yourself lah......! Andy
6/7--Today has no time to write, as we plan to do a web drama series, just what is it, take note of my diary tomorrow!
5/7--Quite busy these few days, attended many different conferences, & has to go back to comapny. Suddenly, rememmber going for programmes in the old days, the TV programmes, & one of the previous concert, suddenly tonite, really really wish to have a new concert for myself, do some more new things for everyone to see. Until now still not clear, is it to go behind the scene, or be an artiste on the stage?...........See if I can cope with both! I think my work on the stage will be better than before, hope work behind the stge, can be better & better, support me ya! Andy
4/7---Today feel very complicated, cant tell happy or unhappy, hope after a good sleep this feeling can be out of me. Andy
3/7---The whole afternoon discuss script with Tokiwa Takako, so happy! It is a good beginning, hope can film a good movie, as this is Team Work first movie after re-launch. After that saw Anita Mui & ShenXue, feel andylau.com progress is getting bigger, hope we encourage one another, also hope everyone supports me lah! Andy
Date: 8 July 00
Source: Ming Pao dated 7/7
Headline: 'Hua Mui Project' benefits entertainment circle
Andy Lau has plans to train newcomers, he even seeks the help of Anita Mui, & called it 'Hua Mui Project' (Two A Project), this is obviously is a good sign.
All along youngsters' entry to the showbiz is like a flock of ducks scrambling for food, many hopes to enter the circle, if there is a systematic way of nurturing them, it is of course better than they themselves searching like blind-eyed houseflies, banging here & there. With the talent & commanding power of Andy Lau, coupled with that of Anita Mui, obviously it becomes not the same, it will undoubtedly attract a lot of youngsters.
Actually many is the circle are training newcomers, such as Mai Jiewen, Roman Tan, Tai Sicong, Maria, Li Xiao-tian, Lu Dawei, etc, they do it by holding different classes, to recruit members. Anita has 2 students under her wing at the moment.
There are many such type of movie-tv production teaching schools on the street, plus the many classes offered by the TV stations, & various contests, actually there are many ways to enter the circle.
The problem till today is that there is still a lack of a complete & systematic syllabus & requirements that these newcomers have to learn & studied. Previously there were 2 teachers who hold very practical classes for TVB, it is a pity these classes have been shortened to be like tutorials! So now with Andy Lau to train newcomers, the author hopes Andy will have a systematic training programme, & makes this 'Two A Project' becomes a real training ground for the newcomers to enter entertainment circle.
Andy Lau has personal experiences, the sweet-sour bitterness as newcomer, he knows how to equip himself to meet the demands of the future. Similarly, Anita Mui has experiences, so if they could use their experiences to draft the syllabus, then it will be most ideal & practical, those who is serious about entering showbiz will be benefitted greatly.
Date: 7 July 00
Headline/Source: Andy has approval of govt to film commercial with change-face teacher (Show 8)
Andy & Peng Denghui film ad to sell change-face, has approval to promote the art in a commercial way (Oriental daily)
Not afraid of being banned teacher-disciple acted together, Andy new commercial has chang-face (Apple Daily)
Andy & change-face teacher cooperate in filming commercial (Ming Pao)
Andy learning of change-face becomes learning of Sichuan opera (Sing Tao)
Andy: no single date to avoid troubles (Ta Kung Pao & Show 8)
Andy has hope in learning Sichuan opera (Wen Wei Po)
Andy appeared in Kowloon Tang yesterday for the press con & premiere of CCT HKNet broadband commercial. Together with the chairman of HKNet they initiated the operation of the ISP.
In this ad, Andy is seen busy in HK keeping fit, while the change-face guru is in Sichuan practising change-face skill, at the start of computer, the screen shows the teacher's face, saying, "Now we meet again." In the ad, Peng displays his skill of rapid face change, depiting the fast speed of broadband. With superspeed of the broadband, the distance between Andy & Peng is brought nearer thro' the net.
Filming was done separately, Andy filmed his part in HK, while Peng filmed his in Sichuan.
Andy said that HKNet had approached him initially with the idea, but he dare not accept after thinking for a long time, as it involved his teacher, he does not wish to create any more misunderstandings & does not wish the art to be associated with money.
CCT contacted the concerned dept in the Mainland, including Sin Hua Agency, it was finally approved not only that Peng can film this commercial, they wanted Andy to appear too, to promote this exclusive art of Sichuan. On the fee for Peng, HKNet said it is not suitable to disclose.
Cooperation between Andy & Peng has busted the previous rumours on them. Andy was asked on his learning of the art. He replied that Sichuan Opera School has invited him to visit anytime, Andy said he is making some arrangements to visit & learn the opera.
Anita had said that pressure from the media has impeded the natural progress of their relationship & she dares not have date with Andy alone, Andy agreed. He said that the paparazzi are good at taking photos, with the photos any story can come out, then they will be like a Needing You couple, if they dine together, they will be on the look-out for the reporters too, to avoid trouble, they will not have 1-to1 date.
Li Chin has approached Anita on a play, Andy has intention of getting Anita too for his stage play. Is Andy worry that Anita will accept Li Chin's play instead of his? Andy replied as long as as Anita is happy she can accept from anybody, better if she acept both, as he wishes Anita to have more offers...
Date: 6 July 00
Source: The Straits Times dated 5 July
Title: Don't shoot me, I'm just the singer
FIRST it was Hongkong singer Kelly Chen who was accused of singing a plagiarised song. Now it is fellow singer Sammi Cheng.
Her song in her latest movie, Needing You, is said to be a take-off from the 1970s' Simon & Garfunkel hit, The Boxer.
Needing You, in which Cheng appears with Heavenly King Andy Lau, is showing in cinemas here.
Hongkong deejays had been pointing out that the songs were similar since her Love Line started playing on Hongkong's radio stations, said Apple Daily.
A deejay even put the issue to a poll among listeners by playing both songs on air. The result: At least half of the listeners agreed that the melody of Cheng's song sounds extremely like that of The Boxer.
But, when asked about it, Cheng, who is familiar with The Boxer, said she had simply been asked to sing the song by the film's director, Johnnie To.
To, in turn, admitted plagiarising from The Boxer. He said he did it deliberately as he thought that the ""feel'' of The Boxer fitted Needing You. ""So I had asked the songwriter to write a song like that of The Boxer for Kelly,'' he said...
Headline/Source: Anita wary of paparazzi dare not go out alone with Andy (Show 8)
Anita is afraid to have dinner together alone with Andy (Oriental Daily)
Anita thinks of having dinner alone with Andy? (Apple Daily)
Anita: I never have dinner alone with Andy (Ming Pao)
Anita was appraoched by the reporters yesterday, she who admires Andy's character is almost always mistaken as secretly in love with Andy, but many around her also wish that the two can be together.
Lately she has more opportunities to work with Andy. She will put more time on filming now after her singing contract expires . It was said Li Chin is working on a stage play other than Andy, Anita said Andy has mentioned to her in passing, she has not seen the script....
She was asked if Andy owes her too much? Anita replied nobody owes anybody anything. Is it the media giving her too much pressure that she is wary of working with Andy? She nodded, "....cant be help, I dare not even go for dinner with him alone.." She affirmed that there is nothing between she & Andy for the reporter to write. Pressure from the media has impeded the natural progress of relationship....
Date: 5 July 2000
Headline/Source: Join andylau.com in addition to being boss of StarEast, Anita: I can go to wherever I like (The Sun)
'Hua Mui Plan' has no contradition to StarEast (Oriental Daily)
Anita as 'Hua Mui Plan' teacher (Ming Pao)
Anita wants to be teacher & not Headmaster (Ta Kung Pao)
First appearence in dream-lover's website, Anita $30,000 garb to please Andy (Apple Daily)
Anita Mui finally had her first appearence in andyalu.com 2 nights ago, to show the importance of the occasion, she wore a $30,000 dress, all dressed up with Dolce & Gabbana branded items. She donned a white tank-top under a white semi-transparent blouse, & a pair of skin-tight sexy black leather pants. Andy, on the other hand, wore a beige color blouse atop a pair of black jeans, from Calvin Klein (...Katherine's favourite!...) & Levi's, costing only few thousands. But the duo appeared very compatible in their attire, as if in lover's suits.
Andy was very caring & protective to Anita at the interview.
Anita explained that she is the director of StarEast, she will not withdrawn from it, Alan & Eric are both her friends. They understand her, she joins andylau.com to work, so there is no contradiction.
Anita's post in andylau.com is the 'Headmaster' of a Net School, but she felt the name Headmaster is too serious & is reserved for Alan Tam, she wishes to be called a teacher. Her duty is to select potential talents to study the Net School. The other teachers involved include Sunny Wong (to teach dancing), Derek Yee (acting skill), Eunice (make-up), Guojin (modeling), Shen Xue (script writing), Cheng Family (action stunts). The first batch of abt 40 students will not have to pay school fee. Anita was asked if she is paid, she was all smiles, answered sweetly, "I dont know, ask him." Andy answered, "No, I didn't give her money."
To thank Anita, Andy gave her a laptop, he had even put in the wallpaper with the pic of 2 of them beforehand, what a happy surprise it was for Anita!
There were a lot of complaints on traffic jam during the LIve Chat, Andy said he is helpless, during Live Chat, they always try to use the best & latest technics, still there are limitations, there is still room for improvement.
Source: Apple Daily
Headline: Tokiwa Takako arrived in HK secretly for the cast make-up
...Lately Tokiwa Takako arrived in HK secretly, to try out the make-up for the cast in Andy's new movie, she will act as a director of an orphanage, will be in Thailand at the end of the month for filming...
Date: 4 July 00
Source: Show 8
Headline: Anita Mui joins andyalu.com, set up 'Hua Mui Plan' to train newcomers (Show 8)
Anita dressed to the nines to attend andylau.com Live Chat last night, brandishing her official cooperation with the site. Anita stressed that this is purely a working cooperation, she did not sell her shares in StarEast, added that an artiste can have several status, & can work with different websites, there is no contradiction....
Headline: Andy wants to be Anita's 'man-behind her back'
Andy chaired Live Chat on his dotcom last night, he invited some of his friends in the showbiz to attend, including Anita Mui, Johnny To & others. In the Live Chat, Andy disclosed that he will launch plans to nurture newcomers, Anita will be a teacher of this plan.
Andy did not denied that Anita is an important person in his web, when he disclosed that the plan will be 'Hua Mui Plan', the reporter asked him if he likes to eat Hua mui' (sour plum), he smiled, "Of course I like to eat, really very tasty." Anita who was seated just beside him broke into sweetest smiles...
Andy & Anita was to be seated side by side for the reporters to take photo, but Andy shifted his chair backwards so that Anita can be better seen be the reporters from both sides, Anita threw tantrums like a kid, Andy knowingly said, "I want to be man-behind-your-back!" Wah! Andy so eloquent in talking, it is no wonder Anita smiled so broadly, seeing only teeth & not the eyes!
Anita appeared all dressed up last night, even better than when she atended Lydia Sum's party, is this Live Chat of more significance to her? Andy defended her by saying, "Of course not, I know her for so long, she always dressed up formally for all occasions, even during her sleep." Anita interrupted, "Have you seen me sleeping?" Andy laughed, "I had seen on the plane!" The duo were having fun teasing each another, appeared to be intimate, the reporters were all gasped.
In RTHK interview yesterday, Andy selected Anita Mui as his choice for the type of wife in his mind. Though Anita's reaction was denial, saying such problem is very obsolete, from Andy's comment, it is obvious that he wants to prove to Anita that she is an important lady in his life.
Andy admitted he has means, the newcomers under him will be like holding iron rice-bowls
Contrary to Anita's attire last night, Andy appeared unshaven. Actually Andy is keeping his beard, not because he bemeans his programme, he has to act as a rough & boorish boxer in the new movie, to be shot at the end of the month. Let's see if Andy can act as one who is uncouth..
Andy has glamourous result in movies last year, many directors have praised that he can act many different roles. Andy said, "Johnny To commented I am like a newbie, I feel that I am entering a different stage, there are many roles to try out in movies."
Andy also introduced his office for the web, he said there will be a studio to preview the movies, he joked with the reporters, "Wait for you all to buy tickets to watch movies, so difficult. The reporters jeered him back, he turned around & said, "Except my movie." (...what a clever twist of words, Andy the joker...)
Asked what the prospects of those who graduated from his webschool will be like, Andy replied, "I have good relations with the movies & records companies, their future will be like holding a govt post!"
Headline/Source: Andy clarifies he has no shares (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy seeking place to build bowling arcade (Ming Pao)
Andy clarifies he has never built a bowling arcade (Wen Wei Po)
There was once rumoured that Andy had bought over the old market in Whampao to buld a bowling arcade, thus affecting the livelihood of the local residents who had staged a protest against him. Now that the arcade is almost completed, Andy clarified to all that he has no shares in it , he did not contribute a single cent. He was told to cut ribbon for the opening ceremony, but he has turned it down, other wise he will never be able to shake off the suscipion from the hawkers. To prove his innocence, he will not step into that arcade too.
Andy said though he is not the boss of this arcade, he has interest in investing in bowling business, he is still looking for an appropriate place to bulid a bowling arcade one day...
Diary from andylau.com
2/7---Very happy tonight!
Attended Fei Fei Kaixin Variety 40 years', met with many 'old' friends, really have not met for a long time, everyone chatted & laughed, as if back to the old family, talked till refused to leave.
1/7---More free today, have to go for phototaking for the commecial in the afternoon, estimated time abt 4 hours, but not knowing that after 3 hours can finish, can even sit down for a cup of coffee. Night time, continue with recording in the studio, finish earlier than expected, can go home earlier. Very happy! a very smooth day! Andy
Date: 2 July 00
Source: Sing Tao & Show 8
...Lydia Sum Tian Xia has been in showbiz for 40 years, in celebration TVB held a charity programme for her. Many guests turn up. Andy Lau, Anita Mui & Jacky Cheung were guests for the opening number...
Andy praised & admired Lydia, "Fei Xie is an artiste of the century, I have been watching her since small. No matter what happens, she can brave it cheerfully. 40 years! Hope TVB can do a show for me 40 years later!"
Andy added that he has not really work with Lydia before, he hopes with the opening of Team Work, he can cooperate with her as soon as possible...
Date: 2 July 00
Headline/Source: Andy: Of course Anita Mui likes me!
Little Darling met with strong rival Needing You, Aaron lost to Andy 'by a street' (Apple Daily)
Needing You box-office at $13 million in 8 days (The Sun)
Andy hopes Anita will settle with StarEast before joining him (Show 8)
Andy wants Anita to be clear with her status (Ming Pao)
Anita denied selling shares of StarEast (Oriental Daily)
Andy Lau smooth flowing on entering Y2K (Ta Kung Pao)Andy asked for bonus (Wen Wei Po)
Needing You is the champion among HK movies that were released lately, within a week of hitting the screen, it has netted $13,414,168.
Collection on the first day of release hit $1.69 million, beating Little Darling, which was released 1 day earlier & collected $740,000, by two-fold.
Though M:I2 box office is rising, luckily there is Needing You of HK movie that can put up a glorious fight.
Boss Charles Heung held a celebration party 2 nights ago. Johnny To at the party praised that success is firstly due to the outstanding performance of Sammi, secondly by Andy Lau, & thirdly by the scriprwriter Han Jiawei. (Andy Town: ....so humble, of course success goes to Johnny To too!..)
Andy was very happy at the party, as he has shares in it, he asked for bonus from the boss rightaway...
Actually Andy is happy not because of success of movie, he said, "Since the start of Year 2000, everything is very smooth with me, not only in movies, my song Give Myself To You, was No.1 for 4 weeks, for a long time I have not been No.1 for a consecutive 4 weeks."
Andy luck is good, did he get any tips?
"My princilpe is, in good times I will continue to surge forward, if it is the other way I will adopt a 'wait & see' attitude."
Andy was once frozen by TVB, what is his advice on Nicholas Tse? "Time can help to lightened things up, but has to depend on oneself, I didnt think it is a big deal, if not for the experience, how can I learn 'a body of wushu & skills'."
Regarding comment by Eric Tseng on Anita, Andy was bashful, he said, "Of course Ah Mui likes me! I like her too."
On whether Anita will join him, Andy said, "As I had said before, everything will have to wait till Anita has reached an agreement with StarEast, if Jacky Chan can serve another web, there will nothing that is not negotiable."
Asked if he will console her as she is bothered by the directors dividents in StarEast?
"How to console? I am not sure what goes on among them, maybe can talk on something else to divert her unhappiness."
Anita Mui when contacted yesterday, cofirmed that she will not leave StarEast.
Will there be any bed-scene with Tokiwa Takako in A Fighter's Blue ? "I will only love, there is no bed scene, also before Takako signed the contract, she had seen the script, there is no exposed scenes."...
Diary from andylau.com
30/6---So long have not been to studio to record songs, today start recording again, never thought can be so smooth, finish recording 2 songs so soon.
Today is another happy news, it is the 'celebration' party of Needing You, on show 7 days already collectedd $13,000,000, a figure that really make people happy, hope this movie can be more & more prosperous as it is being screened !
One good movie, is sure welcomed by all. Andy
Date: 1 July 00
Headline/Source: Anita Mui confirmed to appear in andylau.com (Apple Daily)
Won't stop Anita appearing in andylau.com, Eric Tseng: everyone knows she likes Andy!
Anita Mui will go to andylau.com office & be interviewed by Andy on Live Chat on the 3rd of July. Other than Anita, Sammi & Johnny To will also be there.
It was rumoured that Anita is unhappy with StarEast & is planning to leave StarEast. The contract stipulated that an artiste of Star East cannot appear in another web activity, her move is qiute indicative of her decision. Eric Tseng, on the other hand said he has confidence with Anita, he wont mind Anita appearing in andylau.com, he joked, "Everyone knows she likes Andy a lot la!"...
Diary from andylau.com
29/6---Wake up at 6:30am this morning, preparing to film a new commerial, hope to start early & end early.
Filming process was v smooth, but...... ...
Film so ...... ..slowly! The time that I am writing the diary now is already morning 1am+.
Really hate the director, also really hate the photographer, thought want to finish early to catch Eurocup 2000, Holland against Italy, never thought ...... ...
Ai! ! !Hope Netherlands can win! Andy
Date: 30 June 00
Diary from andylau.com
28/6---Today very happy the whole day! But the whole day is also very scarry!
This morning search & find a pair of coffee-colored shoes bought in UK but haven't worn before, like it very much!
Really feel like wearing it today, but search & search, cannot find a belt that suits it, almost made me late.
Wear this shoes to attend 2 functions, thought myself is exceptionally handsome today!
Went to 2 different places, many frinds were there, many sent lots of food & drinks, esp drinks from many different brands, so scare to receive! Also scare not to receive! Luckily have my assistants at the scene, other wise if I were to receive them, it will be a big 'event'!!!
Here I take this small opportunity, hope nothing of this sort like today happen again, next time if anyone wnats to but drinks for me to drink, please buy 'that' brand that I advertise for, thank you! Andy
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