Hong Kong female star, Selena Li, rose to fame through her “crying” in popular drama “The Life and Times of a Sentinel”, in which her acting was praised by many viewers. When she was interviewed, she expressed that even though she did not understand why the audience felt that her crying face “looks good”, she still thanks the audience for their praise and acknowledgement, making her starting to care less about receiving awards…

Hong Kong TVB has fallen into a state with lack of Fa Dans. Female star Selena Li, plays the lead role of the popular drama “The Life and Times of a Sentinel”, partnering with Steven Ma as a couple. She rose to fame with her “crying”, leaving a strong impression on the audience.

Selena, currently being strongly promoted, also collaborated with the new TV Queen, Myolie Wu, in the upcoming new year drama “Wish and Switch”, broadcasting in January. In the drama, she and Myolie switch identities through a magical website, bringing many comedic scenes to the show.

The day before, Selena came to Singapore to promote for new show “The Life and Times of a Sentinel” and also accepted an interview. This female star, who is rapidly rising to the first-line, states that not only does she love crying on-screen, but is a “cry baby” off –screen as well.

Selena Li (right) and Myolie Wu (left) collaborate in “Wish and Switch”. 

“The Life and Times of a Sentinel” Crybaby character well-liked

Selena Li graduated from the University of Toronto in Canada with a Business major, and in 2003, she participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant and won the “Miss Photogenic” and “Miss Talent” awards. Afterwards, she entered TVB and became a contracted artiste. In 2006, because her role as “Kwok Bo Lok” in “To Grow with Love” was well-received, she garnered lots of attention from local Hong Kong residents, and even gained many endorsement and commercial jobs. Following that, she filmed popular TV dramas “Beyond the Realm of Consicence” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

When speaking of her crybaby role in “The Life and Times of a Sentinel” being popular, she felt surprised herself: “Perhaps the audience like watching me cry, I also don’t understand why some people think my crying face looks good.”

In private, Selena is a girl who cries very easily. No matter if she is happy, sad or angry, she will cry.

She revealed: “Even when I watched Disney’s “Cars 2”, I also cried, I am easily touched by small details. Also, when I attended Mandy Cho and Heidi Chu’s wedding, I also cried. Seeing my good friends say their vows, I couldn’t control my tears of happiness.”
However, Selena will not let her tears be seen by outsiders easily; she cries in a corner by herself. She says: “For example, if I come across a frustrating situation during work, I will hide in the washroom and cry, and won’t let others see, because I don’t want to magnify the situation.”

Out of all male actors, most fate with Kenneth Ma

Out of the numerous male actors, Selena Li and Kenneth Ma collaborated the most, up to 7 times. Her first on-screen kiss was also given to Kenneth, in “The Master of Tai-Chi”. The funny thing is, the two have never had any rumours.

Selena stated: “We already have a lot of chemistry, we do not need to say too much when we work together, and we already know what one another is thinking. Thinking back to my first on-screen kiss in “The Master of Tai-Chi”, I was very scared at the time, as it was kissing a man I am not familiar with for the first time. In the end, because Kenneth saw I was very nervous, so he ended up being nervous with me. Now I feel quite guilty, haha.”

Selena, who debuted from the Miss Hong Kong pageant, has already been nominated in the annual TVB Anniversary Awards for 5 years, but unfortunately has not had any fate with the awards.

She expressed: “When I first debuted, I thought heavily of awards. Even though I have been nominated every year, but in the end, it was never my turn, causing me to have lack of sleep on the night of the awards ceremonies. In the recent years, my acting has been acknowledged by the audience, and I have become a lot more relaxed. Now, I don’t think of awards anymore, let it go with the flow. If I think too much, there will be more pressure. Awards are not the most significant, the approval of the audience is more important.”

Selena Li (right) collaborates with Steven Ma in “The Life and Times of a Sentinel”.

Collaborating with ex-boyfriend’s girlfriend, Katy Kung

After Selena and boyfriend Patrick Tang broke up in 2009, the media has been paying a lot of attention to her love life, especially in “The Life and Times of a Sentinel” as she has many scenes with Patrick Tang’s current girlfriend, Katy Kung. Before the series started filming, a lot of friends expected that it would be very awkward filming with Katy and that it would affect her performance in her role. However, the truth shows that Selena was still able to professionally play the traits of her character.

Regarding her 175 cm good friend, Leanne Li and her 162 cm showbiz boyfriend, Wong Cho Lam’s relationship, Selena stated with envy: “She has a boyfriend now, so she has less time to eat with me. I treasure each time I am able to hang out with her. I am really happy for them. What they have is real love. Although the two’s appearance are completely different; the guy is short, the girl is tall, but they are very sweet because their hearts are connected. I think this is the kind of love everyone hopes for.”

It has always been the same old plots with fighting for family inheritance, police gun battles; however, lately TVB has been using “faux pas” plots (copying others), like “Men with No Shadows”, “Wish and Switch” and “L’Escargot” have made their way onto the screens of TVB. Fantasy, “Hardcore”, “Reality” and more anti-HK-mainstream genres, have been refreshing to the audience, but to TVB’s long-time fans, the style is a bit “weird”. Facing the upcoming new style Hong Kong drama wave, are you able to hold it? TVB producers Nelson Cheung and Lam Chi Wah recently accepted an interview from Yang Cheng Evening News. Nelson Cheung stated that to create new HK dramas, there must be a balance between the creative concept and the market earnings: “Trying with risks only deem two results, either you fall very hard, or it becomes extremely popular. Writers must find new highlights within the plain, usual plots.”

Advancing to new themes

Following the rocketing development of Mainland China television, the trend of Hong Kong dramas have been obvious, many critics and writers have expressed the comment “Hong Kong dramas have not improved in 20 years”. Although the familiar TVB lines and the same-old TVB plots are still their mainstream dramas, but recently, there have been many new elements appearing on TVB’s screen.

From last year’s “Men with No Shadows” with the plot of “trading with the devil” to the currently airing drama based on Hong Kong residence issues, “L’Escargot” and this year’s “Wish and Switch” with an “identity switch” theme, TVB has attempted fantasy, “hardcore” and “reality” themes. These plots were different from the usual ‘housewife’ style dramas; winning a lot of young audiences, but at the same time, received many complaints from the ‘housewife’ audience group, causing ups and downs in the ratings. For example, although complex plotted “When Heaven Burns” was lined with first-line siu sangs and fa dans, Bowie Lam, Moses Chan and Charmaine Sheh, it caused a large portion of the ‘housewife’ audience group’s refusal to watch, and hit a record-low in ratings of the dramas in recent years, almost having to be cut from broadcasting. Given the name of ‘HK Version of Dwelling Narrowness’, “L’Escargot”, and “Wish and Switch”, which was accused of copying a Korean drama, surprisingly achieved an average rating of 27 and 28 points during Chinese New Year, along with a good reputation.

Producers guarding the gate

The recently popular drama “Wish and Switch” does not have a strong cast line-up; only with the newly crowned “TV Queen”, Myolie Wu as the backbone. But second line actors, Selena Li and Vincent Wong gave a decent performance. Selena Li brought the helplessness and sadness of a woman married into a rich family through a contracted marriage to its maximum, while Vincent Wong plays a cool and cruel rich second-generation son. The two’s love and money struggle has brought the relaxing, comedic drama quite a bit of tears.

Lam Chi Wah expressed, after being through so many stages of mainstream, TVB has been actively promoting and training many newcomers. Selena Li’s wealthy wife character has a lot of fate with the audience. This character’s personality is outgoing. For this character, she was willing to cut her 18 years of long hair without a word. Vincent Wong’s ‘prince syndrome’ rich son character was also very successful. This character and his true personality are very different; lots of comedic effects.”

Hong Kong people’s spirits are the “magic” of ratings

Although “Wish and Switch and “L’Escargot” were both accused of copying, but after broadcast, their ratings and reputation were very desirable. Many viewers were attracted by the elements of the dramas. Lam Chi Wah claimed that there are always new Hong Kong elements to discover within the dramas: “No matter if it’s the characters’ personalities, or the family structure; both are quite ‘Hong Kong styled’. Like Ram Tsang’s character “Fan Tai Kit” [in Wish and Switch], is a middle-aged man who loves to complain, while Myolie Wu’s character, “Fan Suk Heung” is a mirror of a typical Hong Kong housewife – these are all Hong Kong’s characteristics.

唔肯派利是
戲中分別演杏兒弟弟同外甥女嘅佘杰樺同石天欣,當日提早向杏兒拜年逗利是,杏兒即詐嬌話:「我派?我都未結婚!係都搵王浩信啦!」杏兒仲話家以工作為重,暫時冇計劃同男友黃宗澤結婚。杏兒將要獨自離港兩個幾月,佢話未試過一個人過年:「唔知到時會唔會覺得好寂寞,所以今次特登請佢哋食飯提早團年,順便當歡送我。」

劇中扮夫妻嘅李詩韻同王浩信一到場就派利是,王浩信將會過婚後首個農曆年,佢家最緊張係老婆陳自瑤腹中乖女,佢話:「諗到囡囡就出世就有啲緊張同擔心,聽講孕婦臨生前個幾月,好需要丈夫喺身邊,老婆預產期係 6月,但我 3月仲要去上海拍一個月劇,都驚陪唔到佢,惟有一得閒就返香港陪佢。」

Selena Li and Vincent Wong play a couple on a contract in TVB series Wish and Switch. Selena said over the 8 years she’s been in this industry, this series is the one that she had the most kiss scenes.

Vincent said his wife Yoyo Chen does not mind the kiss scenes repeatedly: “But she will definitely not watch it!” Selena plays the millionaire’s daughter-in-law, but in reality she rather be a housewife with a loving husband: “It is too pressuring marrying into a wealthy family. Also, with that much money, there is no way one can savor life.”

Asked who she wants to ‘trade’ lives with the most? Selena said she wants to be a mermaid the most: “I always dream of a Prince Charming coming to pick me up. If I meet the right person, I may just go for a lightning marriage.” As for Vincent, he wishes to be like his idol Chow Yun Fat and possess powers of the Iron Man: “I always dream of myself having super speed, haha!” Vincent suggested the two pairs (Johnson/Vincent; Myolie/Selena) do a kiss on the lips to celebrate the high ratings. Selena said: “At that time, I’ll kiss Myolie Wu, and Vincent will kiss Johnson Lee.”

Myolie Wu and the cast of Wish and Switch including Johnson Lee, Selena Li, Vincent Wong and Angela Tong held a private dinner celebration for the good start of a 31 point peak rating. They all hoped the ratings continue to rise. When asked who will be paying for the meal that night? Myolie laughed and said she recommends Johnson pay for the meal.


Myolie, Selena, Vincent, Johnson and others went to eat dinner together.

Myolie and Selena hope the ratings will be even more higher, they will take turns to pay for the meals.

Selena frankly said she is very excited and happy that the series had a good start. She believes the scene where she reveals her career line and the bed scene with Johnson will push the ratings up. Selena likes to be clean, but when she was shooting for Wish and Switch, she had to clean the toilets for the first time. She expressed she wanted to vomit as she was shooting those scenes.

Selena Li and Michael Tse tried out watches and jewelry for the TVB Anniversary Awards Ceremony. Regarding Koni Lui’s sudden marriage that she announced in weibo, Selena was a little surprised and said with a smile: “I would also want, suddenly to announce this day to the world. Previously I worked with Koni before, we talked about a strong woman who behind has a weak side, hoping to have someone to love, now she has found someone she love, I will feel happy for her.”

Michael Tse feels nervous fighting for award

[Apple Daily] November 24th, 2011

Michael Tse and Selena Li who had placing for Best Actor and Best Actress this year, went together to Tsim Sha Tsui to try out watches and jewelry. Selena feels really happy since this is her first year being nominated for Best Actress category. Michael Tse is hot favourite for Best Actor, he normally who talks a lot, recently starts to feel nervous.

Earlier, Selena Li was dragged into the beauty pyramid scheme incident, that day Selena immediately explained the matter from the beginning to end at TVB. Yesterday, Selena expressed at her weibo that she received the letter of apology from the involved company “Enlighten”, she also requested them to issue a statement at a newspaper. Besides, she reaffirmed that she only owns “Technique Beauty School”, as for “Body 9ine Culture” which was involved at the same time, that is only a spokesperson contract job that her management company accepted for her, she absolutely owns no shares of that company.


Selena received “Enlighten”‘s letter of apology [data image]

Because the incident was placed into Hong Kong local news section, the impact on her was tremendous: “Thanks everyone for their trust, concern and support. This time it has a considerably big impact on me. I also understand that doing business as an artist will definitely have to endure several attacks, but I have learned a lot through this experience, I will continue do my own and my work! Thanks everyone for their concern!”

Translated by Lizzy

Lizzy: Forward Selena’s weibo to show your support!

The make-up school that Selena Li opened was suspected to be involved in a pyramid scheme incident. Because of this, she had to endure tremendous pressure. The day before yesterday, she clarified the matter and after she returned home afterwards, she cried heavily to vent out her emotions.


Selena Li [data image]

Yesterday, she accepted an interview by phone and said: “I didn’t deceive people. If I did do that, I am most willing to (endure this). (My goal of) opening a make-up school is to help students have a way to enter (the cosmetic industry) and not thinking of a way how to make money. If students are really being deceived by someone, I’d rather them not to give me money. Also, no students did request to refund this month.”

However, Selena expressed that she also has responsibility in this incident. The biggest mistake is to picked the wrong business partner.

Translated by Lizzy

Former Miss Hong Kong participant Selena Li is spokesperson for a beauty company, which has been reported to be collaborating with a marketing agency allegedly to instigate adolescent girls to lend money from finance companies using false information for paying beauty treatment courses and courses at the make-up school opened by Li. For this matter, Selena rapidly showed up and accepted an interview for «Scoop» yesterday to clarify the matter.

For being said to be involved in a pyramid scheme marketing strategy, Selena expressed that the intermediary company mentioned in the report is a business partner of her school. The company is responsible for helping her school promote products and courses, but she’s completely unaware how that company operates. She also stated that both sides did not sign a contract. Only when students visit her school to look around, she will divide the commission to share the profits. Selena stressed that she has already aborted cooperation with that intermediary company. As for the beauty company that Selena is spokesperson for, she stressed that she’s only the spokesperson, and that the operation and management of that company is completely unrelated to her or her school. She admitted that this incident has caused a major impact on her personal reputation and the reputation of her school. She retains the rights to take legal action.

Business partner’s operation said to be confusing, Selena Li denies fraud and immediately cut off ties

[HK Headline] November 16th, 2011

The make-up school “Technique Beauty School” (TBS) that Selena opened earlier is said to be involved in a “beauty pyramid scheme”. Yesterday afternoon, Selena was accompanied by TVB Deputy Director of External Affairs Tsang Sing Ming for a meeting with the press to clarify the matter.

Selena frankly said that this incident made her mature a lot.

The report said that a victim complained for being lobbied by a salesman at the streets to join the sales ranks, but she has to pay $28.000 HKD first for beauty treatment courses and products of Body 9ine Culture, for which Selena is spokesperson for, and TBS make-up school courses. Yesterday, Selena met the press and stated that the report is absolutely not true. She also explained that the marketing company “Intelligence Express” originally was one of her business partners. That company is responsible for promoting TBS school courses. If they successfully manage to convince students to attend the courses, they will receive divided commission. After the report was published, Selena just discovered that the operation of that company is confusing and below the requested, she immediately cut ties and won’t be collaborating anymore. Also, she’s only the spokesperson for Body 9ine Culture.

Accompanied by Tsang Sing Ming, Selena Li clarifies the report to the press.

Selena said: “This morning I received many SMS messages, I wanted to cry at one moment, but I understood I have to maturely deal with it and face it.” She also stressed that anyone who has paid for her courses or products and have problems with it, she welcomes them for refund, because she’s not someone who puts money above all.

Earlier, Selena opened TBS make-up school. [Data images]

Step 2 – For the category of Best Actress (最佳女主角), put a tick against 紫禁驚雷 – 李詩韻 (卓紫凝).

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