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Was the online blogosphere strife between Elvin Ng and Guo Liang a publicity stunt to raise awareness for their year-end drama series, or was it a heartfelt commentary made by the former?
Since Elvin's controversial blog entry titled "I met a bad person" (loosely translated from Mandarin) surfaced a few days ago, it sparked off a furious online debate amongst netizens who believed it was a cry for attention by the production team of Breakout to boost awareness for the year-end blockbuster. Guo Liang will play a ruthless villain, Yang Tianwei, in the show and Elvin plays an autistic child, Zou Jieming.
Contrary to popular belief, publicity stunt it is not.
In said entry, Elvin indirectly referred to how the bad person (whose identity was later unraveled to be seasoned actor-host Guo Liang by netizens) made things difficult for him on countless occasions such as the Star Awards Ceremony and during the recording of a new variety programme, Gatekeepers.
Over a phone interview with Elvin after the news broke out two weeks ago, the latter explained that the blog entry was his way of "fighting for what is right, fighting for yourself" and clarified that it was not a call for people to take sides and go against others, but "more of highlighting a prevalent issue in society."
Conceding that he foresaw repercussions coming his way, he remains steadfast and stands by his stance of going public with his thoughts, saying, "If given one more chance to do it again, I wouldn't have done it any other way."
Although initially bothered and disappointed by netizens' outpouring negative comments, Elvin got over the backlash after sorting out his thoughts, a deft comparison to his rookie days where he would brood and mull over problems for days long.
Definitely proving to be more resilient these days, he mused over how he is "more matured, confident and sure" of himself, frankly adding, "I'm no longer eager on people's opinions, no longer wanting to be a goody-two shoe. I'll go about my way and I don't have to follow the crowd."
He does not hold it against critics who believed that he is "childish" and "not suitable to be in the industry" and instead feels "happier these days".
"This is not affecting my work. I'm just enjoying my job and my role now," Elvin chirped positively.
After making waves for his remarkable portrayal as the big-hearted and guileless Tarzan in Ch 8's 2009 blockbuster series Together, he's on a roll with his next challenge as an autistic child with a high level of intelligence in Breakout.
Moments before his interview with xinmsn at the drama's imaging session, the executive producer specifically requested for Elvin's sideburns to be shaved off for an even more "realistic and earnest" portrayal of his onscreen character.
Sporting a short boyish bowl-like crop at Breakout's imaging session Elvin good-naturedly laughed off his new nerdy and goofy look.
Heaving a big sigh, the helpless one mused at his own predicament, "I was a little worried because I felt that I looked better with my sideburns. Now that they are all gone, you can't say it looks stupid or 'gong gong' (colloquial term for silly), though it does feel a little like that."
Looks like Elvin won't be dressed to the nines in his usual debonair and dapper suits. Instead, he'll be going for buttoned-up polo t-shirts (nerdy!) that will be fully tucked into his high-waist bermudas (geeky!), paired with knee-high school socks, chunky sport shoes and a primary school kid's backpack.
"I'm hoping it won't turn out to be an act-cute type of role," he admitted, afraid that the image makeover might backfire on him.
No stranger to playing simpleton roles after his turn as Tarzan -- and receiving rave reviews for his heartwarming depiction of the character -- the 30-year-old confessed that there might be difficulties playing the autistic Zou Jie Ming.
Crux of the problem would be the tricky task of "playing a simple-minded guy" without coming across as "being stupid" and the actor found inspiration for his role at a recent holiday trip in Australia during a chance encounter with an autistic boy and his family.
Describing the kid he met as one with "twinkling eyes" and "a very bright smile" who tends to "appear a little shy at times", Elvin enthused at the boy's infectious smile and innocence which gave off a warm vibe of happiness.
Planning to base his character off the kid he met, it dawned upon him that 'This is Zou Jie Ming', he thoughtfully shared.
Entrusted with a role peppered with room for creative development does have its upsides and downsides. Great nuanced acting might represent a breakthrough while overly forced antics and "too many small actions" might come across as being "too unnatural".
Recognised for his marked improvement in acting with the "Rocket Award" last year, he feels that he might stand a chance at next year's Star Awards' Best Actor nominations if he "deals with the role appropriately."
"Of course that won't be the emphasis of everything.
"What's important is to feel the character's soul and hope that the viewers can feel it too. I think that it is most important to bring happiness to the viewers," he admitted.
Breakout is slated for telecast in December 2010. Gatekeepers is shown on every Tues, Ch 8, at 8pm.
Since Elvin's controversial blog entry titled "I met a bad person" (loosely translated from Mandarin) surfaced a few days ago, it sparked off a furious online debate amongst netizens who believed it was a cry for attention by the production team of Breakout to boost awareness for the year-end blockbuster. Guo Liang will play a ruthless villain, Yang Tianwei, in the show and Elvin plays an autistic child, Zou Jieming.
Contrary to popular belief, publicity stunt it is not.
In said entry, Elvin indirectly referred to how the bad person (whose identity was later unraveled to be seasoned actor-host Guo Liang by netizens) made things difficult for him on countless occasions such as the Star Awards Ceremony and during the recording of a new variety programme, Gatekeepers.
Over a phone interview with Elvin after the news broke out two weeks ago, the latter explained that the blog entry was his way of "fighting for what is right, fighting for yourself" and clarified that it was not a call for people to take sides and go against others, but "more of highlighting a prevalent issue in society."
Conceding that he foresaw repercussions coming his way, he remains steadfast and stands by his stance of going public with his thoughts, saying, "If given one more chance to do it again, I wouldn't have done it any other way."
Although initially bothered and disappointed by netizens' outpouring negative comments, Elvin got over the backlash after sorting out his thoughts, a deft comparison to his rookie days where he would brood and mull over problems for days long.
Definitely proving to be more resilient these days, he mused over how he is "more matured, confident and sure" of himself, frankly adding, "I'm no longer eager on people's opinions, no longer wanting to be a goody-two shoe. I'll go about my way and I don't have to follow the crowd."
He does not hold it against critics who believed that he is "childish" and "not suitable to be in the industry" and instead feels "happier these days".
"This is not affecting my work. I'm just enjoying my job and my role now," Elvin chirped positively.
After making waves for his remarkable portrayal as the big-hearted and guileless Tarzan in Ch 8's 2009 blockbuster series Together, he's on a roll with his next challenge as an autistic child with a high level of intelligence in Breakout.
Moments before his interview with xinmsn at the drama's imaging session, the executive producer specifically requested for Elvin's sideburns to be shaved off for an even more "realistic and earnest" portrayal of his onscreen character.
Sporting a short boyish bowl-like crop at Breakout's imaging session Elvin good-naturedly laughed off his new nerdy and goofy look.
Heaving a big sigh, the helpless one mused at his own predicament, "I was a little worried because I felt that I looked better with my sideburns. Now that they are all gone, you can't say it looks stupid or 'gong gong' (colloquial term for silly), though it does feel a little like that."
Looks like Elvin won't be dressed to the nines in his usual debonair and dapper suits. Instead, he'll be going for buttoned-up polo t-shirts (nerdy!) that will be fully tucked into his high-waist bermudas (geeky!), paired with knee-high school socks, chunky sport shoes and a primary school kid's backpack.
"I'm hoping it won't turn out to be an act-cute type of role," he admitted, afraid that the image makeover might backfire on him.
No stranger to playing simpleton roles after his turn as Tarzan -- and receiving rave reviews for his heartwarming depiction of the character -- the 30-year-old confessed that there might be difficulties playing the autistic Zou Jie Ming.
Crux of the problem would be the tricky task of "playing a simple-minded guy" without coming across as "being stupid" and the actor found inspiration for his role at a recent holiday trip in Australia during a chance encounter with an autistic boy and his family.
Describing the kid he met as one with "twinkling eyes" and "a very bright smile" who tends to "appear a little shy at times", Elvin enthused at the boy's infectious smile and innocence which gave off a warm vibe of happiness.
Planning to base his character off the kid he met, it dawned upon him that 'This is Zou Jie Ming', he thoughtfully shared.
Entrusted with a role peppered with room for creative development does have its upsides and downsides. Great nuanced acting might represent a breakthrough while overly forced antics and "too many small actions" might come across as being "too unnatural".
Recognised for his marked improvement in acting with the "Rocket Award" last year, he feels that he might stand a chance at next year's Star Awards' Best Actor nominations if he "deals with the role appropriately."
"Of course that won't be the emphasis of everything.
"What's important is to feel the character's soul and hope that the viewers can feel it too. I think that it is most important to bring happiness to the viewers," he admitted.
Breakout is slated for telecast in December 2010. Gatekeepers is shown on every Tues, Ch 8, at 8pm.
