Yuan Carnival (organized by TV8, NTV7 and radio station OneFM) is a yearly event held at several states in Malaysia, featuring Chinese artiste line-up from local and abroad. Attending for the first time, the function proves to be a crowd puller. An array of TVB personalities (Benjamin Yuen, Nancy Wu, Edwin Siu and Eliza Shum - 袁伟豪, 胡定欣,萧正楠 & 岑丽香) were on hand to spice things up. A closed door meet-and-greet-cum-press conference invitations were also extended to selected lucky fans. By now, Benjamin Yuen and Nancy Wu have joined the ever growing list of TVB celebrities to proclaim Malaysia as their second home. Let’s not forget that Edwin Siu and Priscilla BB (Wong) have recently flown to Malaysia for a secret romantic rendezvous, too. Nasi Lemak is Edwin’s top pick for local food. Nancy took the chance to promote the soon to be aired TVB’s anniversary drama – “Trade Wars” (商戰) which includes Edwin in the cast. With the record breaking viewer ship garnered by “Line Walker”, it will be tough for “Trade Wars” to match or exceed "Line Walker"'s astonishing ratings and popularity. You know that the series is BIG when TVB turns it into a movie version. Regardless of the outcome, I feel that it is already a sweet personal triumph for Nancy and those who have relentlessly rooted for her (including me) over the years. Yes!! Nancy has finally landed the sought-after leading role in “Trade Wars”! Probably it is due to her choice of song but Nancy’s performance of Wanting’s Mandarin number is definitely below par, considering Nancy has consistently sang superbly in past live shows. This time around, there was a significant presence of Nancy’s fans, with placards and flower bouquet. My happiness for Nancy was short lived as one of the fans in the front row stood on a portable stool the moment the TVB stars appeared, blocking everyone’s view. Tell me, why do you need to stand on a stool when you are already in the first row?!!! Luckily, the fan quickly abandoned the plan after one of the irritated spectators complained.
Benjamin Yuen would be seen flexing his muscles on tv soon as the much anticipated sequel, “Tiger Cubs – 2”, is slated for October release. Benjamin did not disappoint with Lee Hom’s mid-tempo track and his singing ability gets better all the time. Benjamin shared things that he has done in his younger days to woo his girlfriend. Due to financial constraint, Ben did not splurge on flowers but made handicraft gifts instead. I think now all Benjamin has to do is put on his cool biker jacket and any gals would willingly hop on his beloved Ducati bike for a spin.
Next up is Eliza Shum. Her Cantonese has improved tremendously. She now speaks with only a slight accent. Singing still remains mediocre. I can hardly hear her when she sang “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. I did not have a good impression of Eliza when she first debuted. My perception of her slowly changed for the positive after “Hippocratic Crush 2”. I used to think Edwin is pretty hot when Anita Mui was still alive and showering praises on the then newcomer (competing with Juno Mak and their much publicized rivalry). After years of struggling in China, he is carving a name for himself again since re-signing with TVB. Lady luck is definitely smiling on Edwin in the career and love zone. Edwin is more good-looking in-person, especially that winning irresistible toothy smile of his ! Edwin performed the title track of “Brother’s Keeper” (minus Ruco, of course). Edwin still remembers a Malay word that he used to say in comedy “Daddy Good Deeds” (he played Malaysian citizen, Ah Yap) – “cicak” (lizard in English). After a brief hula hoop game sessions with a few kids (member of the audience) and an awfully long photo session with many groups (comprising winners of various contests), they bade farewell to the crowd. I have a hunch that all four will be back in December for Malaysia’s TVB awards.
