Gillian Chung Ka-lai[4] (born Chung Tik-shan, 21 January 1981), known by her stage name Chung Yan-tung, is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She is a member of the Cantopop duo Twins, along with Charlene Choi.[5]

Gillian Chung
鍾欣潼
Chung in 2019
Born
Chung Tik-shan[1]

(1981-01-21) 21 January 1981 (age 43)[2]
Nationality
Other namesChung Ka-lai[3]
Citizenship
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2000–present
Spouse
Michael Lai
(m. 2018; div. 2020)
Musical career
Also known as
  • Ah-kiu (阿嬌)
  • Ah Gil
GenresCantopop
InstrumentVocals
LabelsEmperor
Stage name: Chung Yan-tung
Traditional Chinese[note 4]
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōng Xīntóng
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationJūng Yāntùng
JyutpingZung1 Jan1-tung4
Hong Kong RomanisationChung Yan-tung
Real name: Chung Ka-lai
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōng Jiālì
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingZung1 Gaa1-lai6
Hong Kong RomanisationChung Ka-lai
Birth name: Chung Tik-shan
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhōng Díshān
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingZung1 Dik6-saan1
Hong Kong RomanisationChung Tik-shan
Websiteeeg.zone#/artist/211

Early life

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Chung was born in Hong Kong as Chung Tik-shan (鍾狄珊).[note 5][6] Her father died when she was one year old.[6] When she was two years old, her family believed the character Tik (狄) from her birth name to be too strong and renamed her to Chung Ka-lai (鍾嘉勵).[note 6][6]

She initially grew up in a single parent family until her mother remarried to a man also surnamed Chung, when Chung was in high school.[6] She was given the English name "Gillian" while in high school.[6] Chung graduated from Kowloon True Light Middle School and briefly attended the William Angliss Institute of TAFE in Melbourne, Australia.[7]

Career

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Early years

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In 2000, Chung was contacted by one of the model agencies she worked part-time with when she was in Hong Kong. She was offered a job opportunity by Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG), which she accepted in that year. She became a contracted artist and underwent training before making her debut.[8] She was advised by her manager Mani Fok to adopt the "Chung Yan-tung" (鍾欣桐) as her stage name, after consulting fortune tellers. The name was supposed to enhance her business skills.[6] On 18 May 2001, the management company assigned her to form a singing duo, Twins, with Charlene Choi. Chung and Choi released their first album three months later.[9]

Acting debut

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Chung made her acting film début in U Man (2002). She appeared in a number of films such as Beyond Our Ken (2004), which earned her critical acclaim as well as a nomination for Best Actress in the Golden Bauhinia Awards.[10] In Beyond Our Ken, Chung played Chan Wai-ching, a spurned girlfriend of the eponymous Ken. The film had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival and grossed HK$3,886,355 at the box office.[11]

In January 2006, the film 49 Days that Chung starred in had exceeded the HK$10 million (US$1.28 million) mark, earning a spot in one of Hong Kong's best box office films for that year.[citation needed]

Return to film industry

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After withdrawing from public for more than a year following the Edison Chen photo scandal incident and later confessed to having contemplated suicide, Chung apologised for hurting those around her, especially her long-time bandmate Charlene Choi. During the hiatus, she took classes in many areas, such as kung fu (Wing Chun), gymnastics, singing, dancing and acting, which she hoped would serve her professionally.[12] In March 2009 she discussed the scandal on an episode of Be My Guest, which garnered 679 public complaints for the show.[13] Afterwards she returned to work as spokesperson for TOUGH Jeansmith in the Asia region with a seven-figure pay-check. She flew to Taiwan, Shanghai, and other places for promotion.[14] In July 2009, it was disclosed that she would get a 7-figure sum for the endorsement of botox treatment clinic Dr. Pro.[15] Chung also appeared on stage in an adaptation of Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures, produced by Emperor Concerts, part of EEG, for a budget of HK$2 million.[12]

Silent expression art

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On 13 September 2009, Chung showcased an emotional performance art video at the Harbin Ice Snow World carnival singing competition.[16] The silent video, previously filmed in Hong Kong, was shown at the fair lasting 8 minutes and 43 seconds.[16][17] The video showed Chung switching from laughing to crying. This attraction drew hundreds of visitors each day.[16] Many audiences thought that Chung used the art expression to reveal her apologetic attitude.[16] However the video was only meant to show how attitudes are expressed through art, according to artist and video creator Jiang Zhi.[16]

Debut solo album

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On 27 March 2010, Chung released her début solo EP, which was sold as part of the package of Twins' fourth compilation album Everyone Bounce (人人彈起). The EP includes six songs, including début solo single More Hearts (心多) that was released a year prior to the album release.

Sisters Who Make Waves

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On 5 August 2022, Chung debuted at 5th place for the third season of Sisters Who Make Waves which premiered on May 20, 2022, on Mango TV. Chung decided to join the competition with her long time bandmate Charlene Choi and compete against other 28 female artistes with diverse talents. At the same time, Chung aimed to lose weight and retuning her mindset. Due to 4 months of rigorous dance rehearsals and sheer willpower, Chung succeeded in shedding 20 pounds at the end of the competition.[citation needed]

Personal life

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2006 invasion of privacy incident

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In 2006 during a concert in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, a reporter surreptitiously photographed Chung nude in the changing room. On 22 August 2006, Hong Kong tabloid magazine Easy Finder published the photos as a cover story. Hong Kong celebrities such as Jackie Chan and Andy Lau staged a public protest denouncing the magazine.[18] The Obscene Articles Tribunal classified the published photographs as "indecent".[19] On 1 November, Easy Finder lost its appeal against the obscenity ruling,[20] with the appeal panel declaring the article as a "calculated act of selling sexuality which is corrupting and revolting".[21] Jimmy Lai, founder of Easy Finder's publisher Next Media, apologized to Chung and offered to return all the negatives.[22]

2008 photo scandal

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In January and February 2008, sexually explicit photos of Edison Chen with a number of Hong Kong female celebrities were leaked online. The scandal involved Chung, as well as Bobo Chan and Cecilia Cheung, amongst others.[23] The pictures tarnished Chung's "squeaky-clean image",[24] and she apologized to the public for being naive and silly.[25] Her subsequent television appearance on Jade Solid Gold triggered over 500 complaints to TVB, while the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority received over 1200. Other promotion events were cancelled.

Chung was dropped from performing in the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony by director Zhang Yimou.[26] She was originally set to appear in Chen Kaige's film Forever Enthralled and Oliver Stone's W., but her scenes were left on the cutting room floor.[12]

Marriage

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In July 2017, Chung met Michael Lai, a Taiwanese gynecologist, while filming Tree in the River in Taiwan and they were in a relationship in October. On 1 February 2018, Chung announced her engagement with Lai on Instagram, with a photo of a diamond ring given by her fiancé.[27] The pair held a wedding ceremony in Los Angeles on 26 May,[28] and one in Hong Kong on 20 December. The couple separated in March 2020.[29]

Discography

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Year Title Notes
2010 Everyone Bounce Cantonese EP
Move On... Cantonese EP
2013 Vernicia Flower Mandarin album
2014 Wholly Love Mandarin Album
2022 Two Faced "Forensic JD" Drama Ending Theme

Filmography

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Film

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Year English title Original title Role Notes
2002 U Man 怪獸學園 Candy Tong So-sum / Piggy
2002 Summer Breeze of Love 這個夏天有異性 Kammy Chung Lai-san
2002 If U Care.. 賤精先生 Gillian / Kiu
2002 Just One Look 一碌蔗 Decimator / Ghost girl
2003 Happy Go Lucky 低一點的天空 Snow White / Snowie
2003 Colour of the Truth 黑白森林 Katie Wong
2003 The Twins Effect 千機變 Gypsy
2003 The Spy Dad 絕種鐵金剛 Cream
2003 The Death Curse 古宅心慌慌 Linda Ting
2004 Fantasia 鬼馬狂想曲 Chopstick Sister
2004 Protege de la Rose Noire 見習黑玫瑰 Gillian Lu
2004 Love on the Rocks 戀情告急 Mandy
2004 Moving Targets 新紮師兄2004 Wing
2004 The Twins Effect II 千機變II之花都大戰 Blue Bird
2004 Beyond Our Ken 公主復仇記 Chan Wai-ching
2004 6 AM 大無謂 Herself
2005 House of Fury 精武家庭 Natalie Yue
2005 Bug Me Not! 蟲不知 Auntie
2006 49 Days 犀照 Lam Siu-chin
2007 Twins Mission 雙子神偷 Pearl Alternate title Let's Steal Together
2007 Naraka 19 地獄第19層 Rain
2007 Trivial Matters 破事兒 Cheng Sze-wai
2008 Forever Enthralled 梅蘭芳 Fu Zhifang Scenes deleted
2008 W. 小布希傳 Belly dancer Scenes deleted
2010 Just Another Pandora's Box 越光寶盒 Sun Shangxiang
2010 Ex 前度 Yee
2010 The Fantastic Water Babes 出水芙蓉 Gillian Law Kiu
2010 Super Player 大玩家 Beauty
2011 Nightmare 午夜凶夢 Angela
2013 Love Retake 愛情不NG Nina Su
2013 Ip Man: The Final Fight 葉問:終極一戰 Chan Sei-mui
2013 The Midas Touch 超級經理人 Chinese-Korean police officer Cameo
2013 The Fox Lover 白狐 Xiao Cui Alternate title Bai Hu
2014 Who is Undercover 王牌 Su Jie
2015 The Spirit of the Swords 情劍 Zhu Er
2016 I Love That Crazy Little Thing 那件瘋狂的小事叫愛情 Princess Loulan Cameo
2016 A Chinese Odyssey Part Three 大話西遊3 Spring Thirteen Mother
2016 The Wasted Times 羅曼蒂克消亡史 Xiao Wu
2017 Soccer Killer 仙球大戰 Princess Changping
2017 77 Heartbreaks 原諒他77次 Heartbeat Cameo
2017 The House That Never Dies II 京城81號2 Ji Jincui
2019 Missing 失蹤 Ying
2019 Prison Flowers 女子监狱
2021 The First Myth: Daji 封神妲己 Daji
2022 Green Snake: The Fate of Reunion 青蛇: 前缘 Green Snake

Television

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Year English title Original title Role Network Notes
2001 The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra 齊天大聖孫悟空 Purple Rose TVB
2003 All About Boy'z 一起喝采 Tina now.com.hk Appearance in episode 5, 9 & 10
2003 Triumph in the Skies 衝上雲霄 Gillian TVB Appearance in episode 6
2003 2半3更之困車立 Kiu now.com.hk
2004 Kung Fu Soccer 功夫足球 Kiu TVB Guest star
2004 Sunshine Heartbeat 赤沙印記@四葉草.2 Dancer TVB Guest star
2004 家有寶貝 Kiu
2004 上海灘之俠醫傳奇 Female assassin
2006 Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain 雪山飛狐 Cheng Lingsu ATV
2006 Project A A計劃 / 盜海奇兵 Mandy ATV
2007 The Spirit of the Sword 浣花洗劍錄 Zhu'er ATV
2011 The Holy Pearl 女媧傳說之靈珠 Baixi Xianyue / Ding Yao ZJSTV
2011 Da Tang Nü Xun An 大唐女巡按 Xie Yaohuan Dragon TV
2011 Secret History of Empress Wu 武則天秘史 Shangguan Wan'er Hunan TV
2012 The Happy Marshal 春光灿烂之欢乐元帅 Tian Mao Nu / Xian Zi (Fairy) / Qiao Miao GZTV
2013 Wheel of Fortune 財神有道 Eighth Princess CCTV
2014 Swords of Legends 古劍奇譚 Princess Xunfang HunanTV
2015 Extremely Urgent 迫在眉睫 Grace Chen Mo CCTV Alternate title: Guardians of Ancient Magic 护宝联盟
2018 Tree in the River 动物系恋人啊 Chu Zhi He Sohu TV
2022 Twins Flower Shop 双生花店 Gillian & Charlene Short Series (都市短剧)
2022 Forensic JD 女法医JD Lin Xiao Mei / Wei Zi Ling / Miao Zi Ling WeTV / iQiyi / myTV SUPER Twins 20th anniversary 12 EP reunion drama

Variety Shows & Other Shows

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Year English title Original title Network Notes
2016 饭局的诱惑 Tencent Video Appearance in episode 6
2017 心路 Tencent Video Guest star (Twins)
2017 熟悉的味道2 Zhejiang TV Appearance in episode 9
2017 If You Can Talk 冒犯家族 iQIYI Appearance in episode 7
2019 鲁豫有约一日行第9季 NengLiang Media Guest star (Twins)
2019 Everybody Stand By (Season 1) 演员请就位第一季 Tencent Video Appearance in episode 1,4-8
2020 举杯呵呵喝 第二季 YOUKU Appearance in episode 7
2021 因为是朋友呀 Douyin Appearance in episode 1-12 (Twins + Joey Yung)
2021 Twinkle Love 怦然心动20岁 Jiangsu TV Appearance in episode 1-10
2021 Perfect Summer S2 完美的夏天2 Dragon TV Appearance in episode 5-7 (Twins)
2022 Sweet Tasks 2022 甜蜜的任务 2022 Mango TV Guest star (Twins)
2022 Hello Saturday 你好,星期六 Mango TV Guest star (Twins)
2022 朋友请听好2 Mango TV Appearance in episode 4
2022 Sisters Who Make Waves (Season 3) 乘风破浪3 Mango TV Debuted 5th Place
2022 90婚介所2022 Bilibili Guest star (见证官)
2022 百川可逗鎮 Douyin Guest star (Twins)
2022 Promise For You 星星的约定 Mango TV EP1 released. Off air till further notice
TBA 美好在出发 Dragon TV
2022 - 2023 Meet Rosy Clouds 与彩云相遇 Yunnan Int. Channel Show title renamed from 'Promise For You'
2022 - 2023 Hunan Satellite TV's 2022 - 2023 New Year's Eve Concert 湖南卫视2022-2023跨年晚会 Hunan & Mango TV 2 Performances (Twins + First Day)

Notes

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  1. ^ After the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, all Hong Kong people of Chinese descent automatically became Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality.
  2. ^ a b Chung was born British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTC). After the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, BDTCs who registered to retain its British nationality became British National (Overseas) (BN(O)). BN(O)s are not British citizens, but British nationals and Commonwealth citizens.
  3. ^ Hong Kong permanent residents, regardless of whether they have Chinese nationality or not, have the right to vote or register as voters.
  4. ^ On 26 August 2013, Chung changed her stage name 鍾欣桐 to 鍾欣潼, both of which are pronounced the same in Cantonese.
  5. ^ traditional Chinese: 鍾狄珊; simplified Chinese: 钟狄珊; pinyin: Zhōng Díshān; Jyutping: Zung1 Dik6-saan1.
  6. ^ traditional Chinese: 鍾嘉勵; simplified Chinese: 钟嘉励; pinyin: Zhōng Jiālì; Jyutping: Zung1 Gaa1-lai6.

References

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  1. ^ FACE Vol. 043
  2. ^ EEGmusic. "EEGmusic Archived 25 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine." Other information. Retrieved on 9 March 2008.
  3. ^ Sina HK. "Sina HK Archived 13 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  4. ^ "阿娇注册结婚,真实姓名曝光,不叫钟欣潼,这个俗气名字鲜为人知". Sohu (in Chinese). 27 October 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. ^ Gillian Chung at IMDb IMDB. Biography for Gillian Chung
  6. ^ a b c d e f Be My Guest (7 March 2009 episode)
  7. ^ Mingpao.com. Gillian Chung @ Mingpao.com Retrieved on 10 March 2009.
  8. ^ Be My Guest, episode featuring Mani Fok, Chung's manager.
  9. ^ Mak, Clara (2 August 2009). "Twins: a history of the teenybop sensation". The Review. South China Morning Post. p. 3. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  10. ^ Buckle up for the Twins Mission Archived 10 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ HK Film Archive
  12. ^ a b c Mak, Clara (2 August 2009). "Back to business". The Review. South China Morning Post. p. 2.
  13. ^ Wen weipo.com. Wen weipo.com. Retrieved 26 October 2009
  14. ^ Yahoo News. "" Archived 16 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Yahoo News, 11 March 2009, retrieved on 24 March 2009.
  15. ^ "Gillian Chung Had 40 Botox Injections!". 88news.net. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010.
  16. ^ a b c d e Sina.com: [1]. Retrieved on 25 October 2009.
  17. ^ China.com.cn. China.com.cn. Retrieved on 25 October 2009.
  18. ^ BBC. Chan in Hong Kong photo protest. Tuesday, 29 August 2006
  19. ^ ""Hong Kong magazine to be prosecuted in pop star pictures row"". Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2006.
  20. ^ HONG KONG: "Twin photograph ruling upheld" Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Agencies via CRI (2 November 2006). "HK Magazine Loses Appeal Over 'Obscene' Pop Star Pics". china.org.
  22. ^ RTHK mediadigest
  23. ^ batgwa.com. "batgwa.com Edison's Conquests Sex Photos – Suspect Arrested Archived 2 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 31 January 2008
  24. ^ "Tech jailed for stealing sex-with-starlet photos". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 May 2009.
  25. ^ Damon Pang (12 February 2008). "Twins star apologizes to her fans". The Standard. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010.
  26. ^ Sydney morning herald. "Dirty downloads: diva axed from Olympic ceremony Sydney Morning Herald, 26 February 2008, retrieved on 21 July 2008.
  27. ^ "Canto-pop star Gillian Chung is engaged". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  28. ^ "HK singer-actress Gillian Chung and boyfriend hold wedding ceremony in LA". Asia One. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  29. ^ Kwok, Kar Peng. "'She doesn't love me': Gillian Chung separates from husband". Asia One. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
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