Women say they need to get married before they reach the age of 30, and its time to get married when they've dated a boyfriend for 7 years, or its better to have a child early..... but it's all the in the eyes of their parents, relatives, and even reporters.
Over the age of 30, Shirley Yeung and Gregory Lee have dated for 7 years, and thus many people have recently rushed them to get married.
"Before entering the entertainment industry, I did think I would marry before I reach 30. However, afterwards I realised there are many things which I cannot control. Your plans may not go as you plan! Don't say next year, even things you've planned next month or in the upcoming 4 or 5 months can change. I do not dare to think about it once it's changed! For these few years, I have been concentrating on work, I'm not going to think about other things." This answer is very similar to what Charmaine Sheh had given few months ago.
After becoming an actress, Shirley's standard in life is higher than yours or mine. With her first job as an artiste, she encountered her most loved within a short period once entering the entertainment circle. Her career has also been on a high-rise, so therefore people who rush her into marriage is something very natural. Shirley's situation is "the king's not worried but the eunuch is".
Shirley has always been quite simply with family plans. In recent years, many people have said that the entertainment circle is not suitable for people like Shirley with that particular personality. On the day of the interview, Shirley was met with traffic problems so she was late half-an-hour. Her first reaction was like a child apologising to a teacher. However, when taking photos of her, she was like a young girl jumping up and down; her smile was brilliant. A girl like her, what type of family plans does she have? "I haven't thought about it, and it's quite hard to have such plans. When time comes, it'll all come naturally, so there is no need to waste time thinking about it now."
Plans To Have Children
"I have thought about [having children] though. However, the only limit is not becoming a high-age pregnant woman. Though, I'm not going to have children now." The entertainment circle is brutal - they like comparing the guy and girl's family. A working example is Louis Cheung and Kay Tse, and Gregory and Shirley will not be spared.
"There is not much 'waves' [being with Gregory]. They're mainly outsiders making comments, but there isn't much effect on us. We're not going to let other people affect us. Gregory's parents treat me well, it's OK."
"Now I need to work for my family. I need to earn more money so I could provide them a better life! They have spent many years caring and looking after me, so I need to think about them."
Up until now, Shirley has not appeared on the covers of much magazines due to rumours. "I'm not the type of person who has said a particular phrase that makes it on the cover page. If I'm sure about particular news, I won't say too much about it. I've focused mainly on filming series these few years."
"The entertainment circle probably only needs those type of news. On the other hand, those normal or those who speak in a simple, straightforward way do not draw any fasination. It's like they need to "first take one's gold", but I'm not that type of person. I will firstly be myself; I'm not going to care about disputes, rumours or bad-terms - place it on the side!"
Although saying so, Shirley's sexy figure is one of the discussions of many people. "I'm not very aware if people are paying attention to me. Probably because I'm small, and my figure is quite petite, but I don't think it's anything special. At the end of the day, if I've got a job, I'm going to do it well."
A winner of the Miss Hong Kong pageant who has won the most awards in history, is like that. She is well-behaved, modest and loved by those with power in TVB.
"If the series requires me to dress very sexy, I can accept that, so its OK. If its for another cause, then I don't know if I could. However, I will discuss with them and see if anything else could be arranged. In terms of shows, those are prepared for your by the designers of the company!" (It's not important to be more sexy?) "The company will know how the audience will react once it airs, so I'm not worried."
Although Shirley may have a "petite" figure, her apetite is quite big, and loves to eat durian. "I don't need to say anything as you can see my pimples, hahahaha! I've tried to hold myself back, but I have a lot of work to do, or stress I cannot control. Eating is my biggest relaxation, ease and also a stress relief. So I'll worry about it after I eat!"
"Whenever I eat durian I will get pimples, so poisonous - but it's so tasty! Its more OK when it's frozen like icecream. I really like eating it. Once I can smell durian I would really want to eat it, I can't control myself!"
Many years after Shirley took home the winning title. Shirley is Szeki Mui. 2nd runner-up Heidi Chu (right) is now a host. 1st runner-up Gigi Chung is nowhere to be seen.
"A Chip Off The Old Block" has been criticised for plagiarising other stories. Though, Shirley's life belief is: do every job well.
"Doing a few of these helps. I don't do much exercise myself. There are parts where it was extremely hard to get skinny. If you're helping someone else advertise a product, you cannot be too fat!"
Shirley with Gregory during "Blade Heart". Forget what the storyline was, but remember horse riding instructor Lee Ka Ting.
"The year I graduated from the Institute of Education, I did apply for a few government jobs. However, the week I applied for Miss Hong Kong, there was news saying that I would be part of the competition. They also asked me to sign a contract as Miss Hong Kong contestants need to perform duties. If they had contacted me earlier, I would've probably went back to teacher. It was quite funny, but that was life."
Shirley has been in the entertainment circle for 8 years now. In terms of awards, she won the "Most Improved Actress" and "Best Supporting Actress" in 2004 and 2006 respectively. However, there still seems to be distance to the "Best Actress" award. "It's hard to force yourself. Just let everything come naturally. If others see that you have tried, they will take notice of you. Then, your acting will be confirmed and thus, award you. I won't insist on the award, but it doesn't mean that I'm not making progress nor not striving for it."
"At the moment I'm happy that I have received an international award. It was due to filming 'Women With Dreams III" and I portrayed a sight-impaired girl. It was quite a challenge, and I haven't tried that before. The uniform I wore was quite similar to my old school's, the feeling was really good! I would have never guessed that due to that I would receive the 'Most Outstanding Actor' award at the 42nd Chicago International TV Awards. The director also told me that no Chinese person has won the award in the past 5 years, so that award was unforgettable!"
My Name Is Shirley
Eric Tsang had orginally called Shirley "Szeki Jie", but Shirley thought she shouldn't have such a similar name to her elder "Sze Kei Jie". Therefore, she would be called "Szeki Mui" and this name continued till now.
"On the streets, many children would call me Szeki Mui, so funny! I remember a mum saying: 'You should call her Szeki Jie Jie, she's so much older than you!' However, the children couldn't change it, which shows how much impact TVB has."
Shirley also has an english name, Shirley. "Very little people know this name. People will call me that when I'm overseas or attending an english class during school. My mum had given me that name when I was born. Shirley Kwan is also called Shirley, and Shirley Yeung is called that too! And I love their songs! Hahaha!"
"I have seen Sze Kei Jie, she is the princess of Hong Kong. When she was young, she was very beautiful and had many qualities. She was also refined and gentle. She is an elder with manners!"
I believe, once Szeki Mui becomes Szeki Jie, she can also tell her children: "When I was young, I was very beautiful, had many qualities, was also refined and gentle, and has manners...."
Translated By: Fiona
