Two-three years ago, there wasn’t much of a need so she only needed the brand “Starrywood”, which produced Mickey Mouse, Felix The Cat clothing to sponsor her.
The Shirley Yeung nowdays doesn’t need anything. She says: “When I earn money, I would give it to my mother to save it up for me - in preparation for emergencies.” Anyways, she has a new clothing sponsor, an Italian brand Perme, “is quite stylish”. Although the word “stylish” isn’t stylish at all, but it has definitely improved. (What is stylish this season?) “I believe it’s those star designs. I’ve actually asked colleagues who are into the latest fashion! I was right. “People at home also read fashion magazines.”
“You must improve when wearing clothes because people will mature!” Shirley has been interviewed many years ago, and it is obvious that she has taken hold of opportunities.
Speaking about “Forensic Heroes 2”, since Shirley plays a guest star in the series and there have been numerous rumours saying that she has not been getting along with the female lead, Charmaine Sheh - even though there are plenty of scenes between the two. “It’s like science! Because my character is quite independent, there is much fire in my eyes.”
The issue about boyfriend Gregory Lee being seen with Shirley at Macdonald’s was brought up. (I’ve [reporter] been to Kowloon City a lot of times but I never see the spokespeople of Macdonald’s like Eason and Joey there.) “Really? Why not ask to be the spokesperson? I’m lovin’ it!” (You’re really desperate for money?) “I believe that looking after my family and being greedy for money are two separate things.”
Her speech skills have matured.
Shirley doesn’t need Tiffany because she is already 29 years of age.
Half a year ago, Shirley’s exposure rate was quite high, but it wasn’t due to filming high-definition promotional clips - it was because she took part of hosting a magazine which asked people to invest their finance. Recently, rather asking showing people to see beautiful real estates, there was also a series “The Silver Chamber Of Sorrows” where she played a maid, as a guest star in “Forensic Heroes 2” and now is one of the leads in new series “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly”. In the eyes of the media, it means she has been unfroze, but in her eyes, it’s a different story. “I really don’t think I was frozen. I have been working everyday, it was great. The money in my pocket has also increased and I even look better!”
Haven’t been filming for 9 months, there was another explanation. “I also believe that long series were filming during that time. ‘The Gem Of Life’ is 80 episodes long and ‘The Drive Of Life’ was 60. Many artistes have been held up for 6 to 9 months, so there weren’t much 20 episode series being produced.”
We have found our reason for being frozen - dating in public. “Do you think that’s the reason?” (I think that is some-what the reason.) “Everytime this issue is brought up, it’s always this reason. I really don’t think it has anything to do with it. The time when I wasn’t filming, many other artistes were like that too. Don’t need to worry about me, haha. I’ve always been quiet low-profile with dating. It is a normal part of my life and it’s not like we’re not letting people know.”
From last time we had an interview with Shirley; it is obvious that she has matured. Starting from small issues, “I have previously driven an Echo car for 5 years but I have changed it recently to a 7-seater car. I want my family to be more comfortable.” However, what had only changed was the outer appearance, “the soft toys? I have also put them back in the 7-seater car.”
Shirley had earlier lived in a ‘village’ in Saigon, but now she lives with her parents in scenaric house worth $HK 4 million in Lai Chi Kok. “We’re still paying off the mortgage. It’s more convenient in the city, but I like living in ‘villages’ more and there is more space for my 7 dogs to run around.”
She is changing more than ever, but in clothes sense: “My friends give me lots of suggestions, but many of the clothes are sponsored. Though, the clothes you see my in on the streets are my own. In the past, whenever I knew I would have to attend a function, I would then go out to buy new clothes. Now, it’s like I collecting books at home. If I see something I like, I would immediately buy it, as there will be times I can wear it eventually.”
There is also the fairytale world Shirley cannot say goodbye to. “I still like Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse. I have a lot of soft toys and pyjamas of them but mostly of them are at home.”
In two interviews, we talked for 8 hours. I’m quite sure that Shirley likes to earn money, but she is definitely not arrogant - especially the times when you think of her boyfriend, Gregory Lee. After dating for 4 years, majority of newspaper headings and articles are always about the girl earning more money than the guy. “Reporters are always like that. With people writing like that about you is quite upsetting but it depends on how you interpret it. I have comforted him and that we are dating normally like anyone else would. It’s just wrong how people write about us like that.” As you can imagine, there is a lot of pressure put upon Gregory. “On the positive side, we both have to work even harder in our job with our determined effort.”
“I believe that money and love are definitely two different things. Even if you get married to someone rich, you might not be happy. The time he spends with you is very little, so it’s not just money that makes someone happy. Maybe because when I was young, we didn’t have that much money, so my mum had always taught me to be thrifty. I want to earn more money so that my family will have good days. I am frugal, but not greedy with money - they are two different things.”
Gregory has a lot of time on his hand, “Do you see him much? It’s ok. If we don’t see each other, we can still talk on the phone.... my whole family talks too!” Next up will be very sweet. Is he ideal person for marriage? “He’s pretty good. When I’m on a date, the aim is not having fun. We get along quite well, and our communication with each other is good. I’m a quiet person whereas he’s one who moves a lot, haha, but when he’s quiet I’m loud. It’s good that we both work well together, but sometimes he has a lot to talk about!”
Throughout the whole interview, the most surprising is this part. “In ‘Forensic Heroes 2’, Charmaine Sheh is the police and so she has to question me, we have quite a lot of scenes together.” I haven’t even asked yet, but she continued talking. “There are the most scenes with Charmaine in ‘Angels Of Mission’. Did you know there were a lot of science-related matters when we were filming? Because we were all facing one other, and there were sparks in our eyes. The words added even more provocation to it.”
I remember when asking about not getting along with one another, Shirley kept on saying no. This time, there are bones, but since they’re so big, you’ll definitely notice them. There is a chance you might choke someone to death. There is no comparison when being compared to the TV Queen. “I just said the result is very good, everyone did a great job. Those were just for series promotion, it’s not a big deal. We don’t feel awkward when we see each other and we chat sometimes too.”
In the end, Shirley suddenly remembers: “Ah! Can you please thank Siu Ching Jie (‘Forensic Heroes 2’ producer) for me? Also, have to thank Terry Tong (‘The Silver Chamber Of Sorrows’ producer) as well. They both gave me such a big chance.”
30 years of age. “Don’t remind me. Entering a time where a 3 comes first seems weird. It’s like I have to push myself to do even more work.” Shirley is actually 30 at the end of the year. However, she is not like any other female artistes. She gives many people the impression that she is not mature enough. “I’m actually starting to look more mature now. I’m maturing, I’m maturing. Make-up artist can’t help laughing. “Having a baby face has its advantages. You can work for a few more years.”
Shirley plays a maid in “The Silver Chamber of Sorrows”. When she had flown to Kuala Lumpar for promotion, “people would call me Chow Gook! I was really happy about that.”
Shirley claims that she has not contacted Charmaine privately. It’s normal as they are two different people. Shirley believes a dress that is worth $2000 is expensive. Luckily, Gregory and Ron Ng are two different people as well.
In 2004, Shirley won the “Most Improved Actress” award and in 2007, won the “Best Supporting Actress” award.
In “The Good, The Bad & The Ugly”, Shirley will be paired up with Eric Suen and Vivien Yeo will be their third party. In real life, has such thing happened? “I would step out because it’s too complicated. All of a sudden there is an extra leg in the space inbetween two people, very hard!” But she doesn’t need to worry; I believe that Gregory is quite faithful to Shirley.
2001 Miss Hong Kong winner is Shirley Yeung, 1st runner up is Gigi Chung and 2nd runner up is Heidi Chu. After participating in the pageant, they all went for their driver’s license, but actually a “van” license.
At the end of the year, Shirley will turn 30. She says that she hasn’t been online much, and just been to yum-cha with family.
Translated By: Blue_Angel_12
