Gillian Chung

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]

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Chung. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Gillian and the Chinese-style name is Yan-tung.

Gillian Chung
鍾欣潼
Chung in 2019
Born	Chung Tik-shan[1] (1981-01-21) 21 January 1981 (age 43)[2] British Hong Kong
Nationality	China[note 1] United Kingdom[note 2]
Other names	Chung Ka-lai[3]
Citizenship	Hong Kong[note 3] Commonwealth[note 2]
Occupations	Singer actress
Years active	2000–present
Spouse	Michael Lai ​ ​ (m. 2018; div. 2020)​
Musical career
Also known as	Ah-kiu (阿嬌) Ah Gil
Genres	Cantopop
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	Emperor
Stage name: Chung Yan-tung
Traditional Chinese	鍾欣潼／鍾欣桐[note 4]
Simplified Chinese	钟欣潼／钟欣桐
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōng Xīntóng Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jūng Yāntùng Jyutping Zung1 Jan1-tung4 Hong Kong Romanisation Chung Yan-tung
Real name: Chung Ka-lai
Traditional Chinese	鍾嘉勵
Simplified Chinese	钟嘉励
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōng Jiālì Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Zung1 Gaa1-lai6 Hong Kong Romanisation Chung Ka-lai
Birth name: Chung Tik-shan
Traditional Chinese	鍾狄珊
Simplified Chinese	钟狄珊
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōng Díshān Yue: Cantonese Jyutping Zung1 Dik6-saan1 Hong Kong Romanisation Chung Tik-shan
Website	eeg.zone#/artist/211

Early life

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

Early years

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

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

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

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

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

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

2006 invasion of privacy incident

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

Main article: Edison Chen photo scandal

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

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

See also: Twins discography

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

Film

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

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

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

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. 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

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. 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. 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. Sina.com: . 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.

External links

• Gillian Chung at EEG
• Gillian Chung at IMDb
• Gillian Chung at the Hong Kong Movie Database
• Gillian Chung at Chinesemov.com