Date: 16 Aug 01
Diary fr al.com

15/8---Today unexpectedly have one day holiday, but I really feel uncomfortable.
Nickname ‘Asian Iron-man’ me, but the producer is worried that I will become unbearable physically, specially requested me to stay at home & rest. Practise only at night. Really joking………!When everyone is busy, sleep at home the whole day, actually feel quite uneasy! But really wish to thank them for their concern!
Aih………….! Just have my meal, thinking of sleeping again zzzzzz, goodbye!

14/8---Concert enters in to emergency state, only 3 days…..every member of the crew is actively doing his part well.
Day after day of continuous training, all the dancers are tired out. As all were too tired, some have fallen ill. Luckily I who always have a healthy body, good immunity & determination perseveres on, so everyone don’t worry!

Source: Ming Pao/Apple Daily/ Oriental Daily

Taiwanese ‘Golden Voice’ Cai Qin is holding a concert in Sept at HK Coliseum. She was asked if she is afraid of competitors as there are many singers holding concerts lately. Replied, “Andy is not my opponent, Sammi is my senior, Alan not the same age.” Actually she is just joking. She said Andy is a strong competitor. He is experienced, is a serious singer, she hopes he can come to see her concert.

Source: Apple Daily
Headline: What a romantic scar

When there is a scar on the body, you either hide it or make a story out of it.

Many yrs ago the writer watched a movie called ‘Feng Yan Chen’. The male lead Andy acted as the triad head. At one incidence his gf used her back to bear the slash from his enemy. The two was separated to avoid being spotted. When they met again finally, at bed scene, the male lead gently stroke the scar at the female lead’s back up & down, saying this long scar is like a rail, hoped that it could bring him back to his hometown.

Wah! What a romantic scar!

Andy's concert is kicking off in 2 days time! It is said Andy has invited a guest as secret weapon. He does not wish to expose this guest too early so it is still kept a secret. A high 7 digit figure was used to invite this superstar from Hollywood. Another 6 digit was used to book plane ticket & hotel lodging, plus a 7 digit figure insurance coverage. Andy gives total care to this VIP guest. He will be involved in the 'Primitive Forest' section of the concert.

When contacted yesterday, Andy still refused to disclose the name. He said, "No, no special request to call in friends as guest. Every yr is the same, whoever comes & whoever wishes can come to the stage." The reporter told him he got the news of a Hollywood star. Appearing shocked, Andy replied, "Who told you? But now temporarily cannot say, will know who the person is on the 17th." Asked if a big sum is involved. "Yes, it is with friend's help that I can invite him. As to how much, cannot say. But it is value for money. He will be equally stealing the show. He is helping me with Forest part. Will he sing? You will know then! Haha.."

In the forest section, Andy will dance with an axe. Will he appear as Tarzan? "Don't ask lah, guarantee exciting."

Source: Apple Daily
Title: Andy's acting has dimensions

Almost all summer holidays movies have been released. HK movies have done well. SS has set a new record for Stephen [50 mil]. Andy's LOAD collected 40 mil, FTK is almost 20 mil, the 2 adds up to 60 mil. Both Stephen & Andy are big winners.

In reality these few years after opening up, Andy's acting skill has indeed improved. His is in control of every role he plays, he has dimensions.

Lately Chen Zhiqing was in Hainan Isalnd for filming of a commercial on hair shampoo. She was able to film the commercial was because of Andy. She is grateful to him, because 2 yrs ago she filmed a motorbike com with Andy. With Andy's popularity, she was accepted by Mainland fans.

Diary fr al.com

13/8---Still has 4 days.......
Today went into the real stage, everyone is v busy preparing, arranging the stage...the sond system...lighting .dancing....v busy nonstop, everyone becomes more & more anxious, but my mood becomes more merry, how abt you......?

Owyang Miaozhi , a HK actress & 3 other actresses attended California Wild Wines wine testing. The emcee asked the ladies which the man they would choose to spend a night with. OM, despite being attached, admitted unabashedly that the person is Andy. Many years ago she had collaborated with him in his MTV, Kiss Me Again. Andy directed the MTV himself. He wanted to kiss her on the lips but she was too anxious & rejected him saying that her father objected to it. There was only a kiss on the cheek. Though she has no regret, if there is a chance now, she wont mind.

In '93, she was chosen to be a dancer in Andy's concert. She feels that Andy is v personable, good to others, caring, & v hardworking. His has v charming eyes. He is clear-minded with private & work matters. She wishes she could have a romantic night with Andy.

Diary fr al.com

12/8---Today all those who are involved in the concert performance gathered in the training room for a full-scale rehearsal. Though he aircon was put to full, everyone still 'big drops atop small drops' sweating profusely. Everyone is v serious!
At this busy time of concert preparation, receive a good news. FTK box office has reached 14 mil, not even 10 days after screening. It is really exhilarating, but I am sure some friends still havent watched, now my concert havent started, hurry go & see…….!

[ I came back to S’pore this morning by train & was at work till now. Two rows of shop-houses in the small town where my parents live were burnt down by fire last week. I went back to see my parents. They are fine. Thanks a lot for your concern, dear friends!
Please help to cast votes for Andy. We lost last year. Win or lose this year, please help to vote, esp on the last day tomorrow, thanks a lot!! ]

Headline/Source : Andy & Alan Tam trying to look younger (Apple Daily)
Andy wants to hold matured concert, was guest at Alan’s concert (Ming Pao)
Andy as guest in Alan’s concert (Ta Kung Pao)

Andy was guest of Alan Tam’s 2nd night concert 2 nights ago. Alan & Andy’s make-up was first class, both wore black shirts & pants. Andy sang one of his old songs.

Andy praised highly that Alan’s concert style is young. Alan joked, “U don’t know that the thing I do is always the opposite of my age?” Andy replied, “In that case, my concert has to be a matured one!”

Alan followed, “your concert need more old songs & dance more oldies!” The audience laughed. The atmosphere was pushed to the highest.

Teamwork has plans to film a dram serial called ‘Endless Pursuit’ in Nov. The leads are non other than the hot fave Korean stars, the ‘double Song’ , who were made famous by the drama serial ‘Blue Dying Love’, [ SOS, Veronica, I don’t know their names in Korean, Thanks! ] …

Diary fr al.com

11/8---Tonite attended Alan’s concert as guest. Wah……! Really v bustling! Everyone stood up to dance. This is like giving me a pre-concert practice.
This time my concert is having ‘fun-fair’ as theme, so……I think everyone should not sit dumbly on the seat! 5 more days only…….everyone can start to get warm up!

10/8---Today’s mood is more relaxed than yesterday. Because today finished rehearsing the opening section of the concert. Though it is still rather not too familiar, the feeling on the whole was satisfactory!
But I havent thought of how to get onto the stage that can give everyone a surprise. Everyone can email me, let me have an idea!

Source: Easy Magazine Lethal Killer Look [Part III]
Andy not a pro killer?

Andy wants to depend on FTK to become Best Actor, but there are loopholes, because in this movie 2 products used by him, totally & completely destroy his pro killer image. Is it that serious to affect his chance in getting Best Actor award? Check it out!

Unprofessional killer sunglasses. It is said this pro killer is photophobic & vomits on seeing light. so he has to choose his glasses that looks pro, but this pair of glasses is Gucci product produced 4 months ago, the frame is not tough enough or clean cut, it is too trendy, enough for uv protection, but not the most pro selection. The in-optical boss said sale of the glasses is average, many shops after selling carries do not ask for replenish, no stock, only his shop has stock, hope Andy can buy the galsses $929

Andy pro selection
He said Andy can try this style of local product, the exterior look likes Gucci, but its frame of one line is clean cut & looks tough, uv protection is 100 %, real protective to light, the price is as Baleno, cheap! $244.

Not pro killer glove

The other object that pull down Andy is his glove. It looks like the one used by small bus driver. It is definitely not for holding guns. Terry of Three Gun shop owner said, "Wearing gloves to hold a gun is to prevent sparks, in every firing of gun shots there will be sparks. If there is glove then there is no worry of being burnt. But his gloves have so many holes, what is the use? Andy do u underatand?

Andy pro select

Terry introduce this type of glove, fingers & palms have light padding, can cut off sparks & does not look like a bus driver. Andy carrying heavy gun will look convincing with this! $150

Andy finally is still Mongkok

Andy wears this snake skin looking boots. It comes from Mongkok Zhe Wang Hollywood shopping center. It is of exclusive design. Andy wears Mongkok product. Yes, you are still representative of Mongkok. $698

Andy is v popular in Mainland China & has gone there often for performances. Lately an internal magazine called 'Healthy Life' carried a report saying tricksters had used Andy's name to cheat & raped 60 females.

According to the report, 3 Hongkongers who were acquainted with showbiz artistes used Andy's name in Chongqin, Xi-an, Shanghai, Changchoon, Chnagsha, & other big cities to cheat women. 4 mil yuan were swindled from 112 women, out of which 60 were raped. The culprits were finally arrested in Macau.

One of the culprits has external look resembling Andy.

In last month issue of the magazine, there was a report written by one of the victims who was a model. She said the rapist, original name Chao XX, but called himself Liu Tian Long & claimed to be Andy's manager. He said he was in charge of selecting gfs for Andy. The trickster told her if she is interested to become Andy's gf, she has to go to Changsha for an interview. She believed him & went to Chansha. But 'Liu' told her there were too many competitors & she had to be tested on the bed first. She again believed him, gave him $5,000 yuan & lost virginity to him. After that 'Liu' promised to arrange for a meeting with Andy.

Coincidentally, Andy was in Changsha for 'Golden Eagle Movie Art festival' at that time. She was arranged seated on the first row, & had a chance to shake hand with Andy. She was even given a photo with Andy's signature & a tape with Andy's 'sweet talk'.

Later she followed 'Liu' to a hotel's presidential suit. That night she saw with her own eyes, thro' the door, a man in pyjamas looking like Andy in the room. But v soon she lost consciousness. When she woke up, she was in another presidential suit. She was told she had a night with Andy, who had left. Since then, 'Liu' became not contactable

She realised she had been cheated but was too late.

When told abt the news, Andy was v shocked, thro' phone, he said, "I have told my fans many times. I told them not to believe strangers. There were instances before where people used my name to cheat money & body. Such fairy tale story can never ever happen. I havent read the magazine, not sure if it is true, I too hope it is not true. Here I wish to tell my fans again, be careful. From beginning to end I do not have a manager in the Mainland."

The reporter had called Changsha police stn who said there was no one reporting the case to the authority but Andy was in Changsha Sept last year for a performance.

The magazine editor was contacted, she confirmed the article was written by a 3rd party, as it is entertainment news, they did not probe further.

The reporters made a survey in Shenzhen yesterday, most females feel the case is unimaginable.

Miss Cong, 25, salesgirl, "Ridiculous, luckily I have little impression on Andy."

Miss Chiang from Dalian, "Unimaginable, so many people fall in to the trap!"

Miss Lu, 19, "I like Andy, but I will not give my body for him."

Diary fr al.com

9/8---Practise dancing, singing, dancing, singing, , dancing, singing…………….
These are the main things everyday. Only one week left, a bit anxious, how………..?

Despite being busy with concert preparation, Andy went for RTHK radio interview yesterday.

He was told that audience from a UA cinema were evacuated while watching FTK due to a fire alarm, triggered off by a burnt smell.

The cinema indicated that those with ticket stubs are able watch the movie again within these 5 days. But most had lost the tickets in the scurry & felt it is unfair.

Andy said if the audience don't mind, they can go to his private cinema at al.com to watch again. The reporter reminded him it is hard to identify who the victims are. Andy then apprehended the problem. He said accidents are hard to prevent sometimes & hopes cinemas can have better preventive measures with this experience.

Andy's concert is kicking off next Friday. He will have fire & water in the Coliseum. This is because of the concept of concert . It is divided into the 5 Chinese celestial signs: gold, wood, water, fire & earth.

To have fire in Coliseum? Andy gushed, " Everyone don't worry! My fire is v safe." Do the audience have to keep the tic studs ? "Of course must keep! But for souvenir!" Andy said full precaution will be taken but he is still waiting for the approval from Coliseum which will be known in a few days time.

Actually Andy has more worries with showering the Coliseum with man-made rain. He is worried that some audience may get wet! But he has already taken precautions. If the audience happens to sit at the rainy area, they will be given rain coats. So don't worry! Haha, Andy laughed heartily.

How much does he spend to make water? "Total production cost is 35 mil, come & experience how much is spent on making fire & rain!" said Andy

Diary fr al.com

8/8---Lately many friends call me, all ask abt buying tickets to my concert. Now time is blurred day & night preparing for the concert, where got time to bother this?! Luckily I have a gp of good assistants, other than keeping me company in the afternoon for the rehearsal, prepare me the healthy food for lunch & dinner, also spend a few nights helping me to send out tickets, really want to say "Thank you!"

Source: www.mov3.com
HK Box office on 7 Aug

No---name of movie---single day collection---nos of days screened---total collection

1.--- FTK--- 1.79mil--- 5 --- 11.74 mil
2.--- SS--- 510,000--- 34--- 54.22 mil
3---KOTD--- 510,000--- 6 --- 4.16mil
4.---POTA--- 400,000--- 24--- 9.87 mil
5.---PPS --- 230,000--- 29 --- 6.45mil
6.---TR--- 140,000--- 26--- 16.08 mil
7.---Shrek --- 90,000--- 19--- 17.19 mil
8.---Spy Kids--- 60,000--- 19--- 1.97 mil

Headline/Source: Andy lifts up dancing queen with one hand(Apple Daily)
Andy full of 'advantage' in Latin dance (Sin Pao)
Andy Latin dance alike Popeye the Sailor Man (Sing Tao)
Andy challenges dance limits (Wen Wei Po) Andy chest to chest with China dance queen (Oriental Daily)
Andy practises hard for Lantin dance 9 hours daily (Ming Pao)

Andy’s Summer Fiesta Concert is kicking off next Friday. He is v busy with concert rehearsals. To do a big scale Latin dance, he has to practise 9 hrs daily. He has specially enlisted help from the Latin dance king & queen of China. The dancing king, Ma Jin, coaches Andy personally whereas the dance queen, Shirley, will partner him on the stage.

Andy dance with the dancing queen is sizzling hot. In many occasions they are in close body contact, & cheek to cheek. But to Andy he does not feel it is an advantage. Said he, "Latin dance is so different from the usual dance I do, v complicated, has 6 to 7 types. It makes my head swells by 2" to remeber the steps!"

Other than 6 hrs of practise everyday, when he goes home he practises for another 3 hrs. Even in his dreams he is turning round & round dancing, & he experiences nightmares sometimes.

Andy has shocking manoeuvre in the dance. He can lift up Shirley with one hand! The reporters commented he can change his name to Popeye. Andy smiled, "Yes, Shierly is 100 lb! I dont need much energy, she hops onto my arm! I take ‘spinach’ everyday. Not sure who is more mighty, can challenge him!"

The ‘spinach’ mentioned by Andy, is actually food prepared by mama Lau & the maid. Almost everyday Andy takes boiled vegetables, without a single drop of oil. Similarly for meat, it is also boiled, plain & tasteless. Andy indicated that he has lost 5 lbs lately.

Source: Apple Daily

FTK after 5 days of screening, collected 11.1 mil. The result is not bad. Though the movie on the whole is not as good as ROOT, Andy's acting is better than Takashi. Maybe due to the role! SS collected 54 mil. Kiss o a Dragon collected 4 mil in 6 days, average response. Planet Apes 10 mil in 13 days, results not as good as in the States

Diary fr al.com

7/8---Concert preparation is intensively underway. Whole afternoon tried out the clothes for concert. As the body is more toned & tough…..beautiful (haha..haha), so the clothes are all loose, all taken back to alter.
Okie…..so busy…………..talk tomorrow!

Andy graces the covert of U Magazine issue #14

School exam results are out today. Students have to make a choice with future, Many artistes who had gone thro' the stage hope to give some encouragements to the students.

Andy, as WOYP, believes failure in one exam does not represent failure forever. So those who had put in effort should not take the exam results too seriously. Many successful persons in HK such as Li Kashing does not become successful because of good exam results. If the result is no good, remember 'failure is the mother of success', work harder next time.

He said whoever wants to work in the society, don't do so in a hurry, so as not to be cheated, understand the companies details & discus with the family first.

Source: Ta Kung Pao/HK Commercial Daily

Ping Kuan had recorded a song titled "Liu De Hua ' before. He said he had sought Andy's permission. The content of the song has nothing to do with Andy, just that he feels Andy is the most handsome among al the handsome guys. Andy is the representative of the 'handsomes' & his name rhythms with the lyrics so was used. He does not mean the other singes are not handsome.

Source: Wen Wei Po

The writer had not counted box office of HK movies for a long time, because the figure is just ugly, it makes no dif in counting. But this yr the collection is really exciting.

LOAD total collection in 6 weeks is at HK$40,230,000. Collection of the 6 weeks in its order: $16,710,000, $14,180,000, $5,790,000, $1,900,000, & in the first 42 days an average of $957,800+.

[Hi buddy Margaret, I think I got all my zeros right this time?! Thanks for checking them! Thanks!]

Source: Sin Pao

FTK continues to have good news! Other than topping the chart with 8.3 mil box office, sitting at the top of HK box office this week, it has the invitation of Columbia Film Festival , the movie will be screened in Columbia in the September festival.

The crew of FTK were all v delighted. Andy has said proudly FTK is his representative piece of work, he is happy to work with an excellent actor Takashi Takashi in turn praised Andy is hardworking. Johnnie To believes FTK is his most satisfactory work since start of his filming career.

The storyline & the roles played are all above standard, Andy is thus confident that the movies will get some awards.

The movie had caught the attention of America film dealers because of its opening success in box office. They called Teamwiork to enquire on the right of movie release in America.

Source: Easy Magazine Lethal Killer Look [Part II]

Tok difficult to become classic

Movies filmed by Andy, many a time become classics, such as Time of Romance Wah Dee, Full Throttle motorcyclist Joe, lately his Ah Hu, & fatso in LOAD. But his cast as Tok in FTK is hard to become one, how come?

Said Andy, "The whole movie is Johnnie To's product, in total. There is nobody that stands out, nobody is able to steal another's show. Previous movie had benefitted Andy, but this time even if there is change of roles, I believe it is still exciting. Even if it become a classic, it will be the whole movie, & not Andy who acted as Tok."

This killer likes to laugh the most

"But this time the killer acted by Andy is really v different from killers in the usual movies. Tok is not a cool killer. Be it in killing someone or being beaten up, he never stop laughing. This is a movie that I laugh the most. Everytime before 'action' Johnnie will remind me, remember to laugh! Also Tok is a v high profile person, I have to exaggerate when I act. These few yrs I am used to acting low in movie, so this is a real challenge."

Pic showing Andy in the Taste Of Killing & Romance, "The look is that of a different era, the requirements is diff." He said.

Tok loves to watch action movies the most. he had mentioned a movie of a killer who holds a guitar before killing people, as '3 steps to killing'. He imitated him by playing Er hu.

Tok admires Japanese comic "Tear Drop Killer' lead, who has the support of his wife from behind, so Andy chooses Kelly Lin as his woman!

[To be continued]

Diary fr al.com

6/8---First day went to Band room to practise singing, the mood is v exciting!
Earlier on knowing there is concert, had learnt the lyrics by hard, so not so much time needed as in dancing. To practise with the band is different. Because it means the concert is coming near, tomorrow doing the countdown, is everyone ready?

HK Movies screened this summer holidays include LOAD, Shaolin Soccer, ParaPara S, FTK, Wishing Tree, etc. Of these movies, the weakest in box office is Wishing Tree & ?Holidays. Aaron's Para Para S screened 11 days collected only 6 mil, it is not satisfactory.

Andy's LOAD screened for 46 days, collected abt 40 mil, FTK screened only 3 days, collected abt 8 mil. He is one of the the big winners this summer holidays.

Source: Easy magazine
Headline: Strict voting by viewers, lethal Killer Look [Part I]

[Easy Magazine has become a paid magazine online]

Andy's full force acting in FTK has won praise from audience, "So stylish!" Actually other than Andy's impressive 'killing' killer look, there were many classic killer casts before him in HK movies, Easy Magazine takes this opportunity to make a survey with 100 votes, to see who is the most lethal of all!

No.1---Andy Lau, with 30 votes.

Andy in black leather jacket, black pants is already shockingly stylish, plus a handsome face, even without gun he is lethal, no wonder he is Killer King No.1!

No2---Chow Yin Fat (23 votes), No.3---Leon Lai (20 votes), No.4---Chen Pao Chu (12 votes), No.5---Chiu Shu Zhen (9 votes), No6---Jacky Cheung (6 votes)

[Andy's interview coming up later]

Diary fr al.com

Filmed MTV for the new song thew whole day today. It is a light catchy dance song, though had ractise with the dancers for a few days, to get the beat angles, from morning till night, continuously dancing, practise, pose, a total of 10 over hrs, full exercise, really legs also a bit soft……………

Dicky Cheung while in M'sia lately was asked on an old feud he had with Andy. He was asked if Andy had pushed a cigarette stump on his palm before. Dicky said he had forgotten & avoided the topic by saying that Andy taught him a lot in their first cooperation on a period drama.

Source: Ming Pao

Lin Xinlei commented life of an artiste is tough & had wished to pull out from the circle. But she likes Andy a lot, if she pulls out then she would lose the chance to see Andy. Because of Andy, she has dropped the idea.

After 3 days of intensive promo activities, FTK opening box office hit a high record of 2.21 million, breaking the record of LOAD & overtaking Stephen's SS.

Result of top 10 movies opening day box office:

1)Mummy II , 2.7 mil on 14/6
2)FTK, 2.21 mil on 3/8
3)SS, 1.96 mil on 5/7
4)LOAD, 1.8 mil on 21/6
5)Tomb Raider, 1.55 mil on 19/7
6)PH, 1.25 mil on 21/6
7)Planet Apes, 890,000 on 26/7
8)Kiss of TD, 770,000 on 2/8
9)Para S, 780,000 on 26/7
10) Shrek S, 550,000 on 5/7

[Show 8 news comes late in the day, I have missed some of its nice pics]

Andy is v happy with the result. SS has come up with another longer version. At this moment FTK alreday has 2 versions with different endings. Andy joked that that he is thinking of a 3rd version, & come up with a special edition to counter Stephen!

The 3rd night of premiere was at Tong Lor Wan New York cinema. Andy one brought 3 this time: Lin Xinlei, Yin Caier & the female emcee. Thousand over fans again turned up to support. The streets were thronged with people. Screaming of fans covered Andy's talking. Andy chaired 'Breakthrough 38 mil' lighing ceremony. When Andy was asked if he is confident to be No.1 at box office. He humbly said to break SS 50 mil is just a fantasy, his target is v low, over 30 mil will do!

Andy said it is a good beginning, if a movie can invite comments from different levels it is a good sign. Some commented Johnnie was trying to 'torture' Andy by asking him to speak in many languages, but this helps to bring the movie to international level.

Many also commented the movie is hard to understand. Andy joked that the movie has to watch 3 times, once to look at the dialogue, once the action, & lastly the editing. If one does not wish to look at subtitles, then can read the book first. He has the copyright of the book, all in all, he is the one to collect the money, he laughed heartily!

He likens FTK as his BB, now he can put it down & brings up another BB, his concert!

Other than this activity, Andy attended another activity at Central Library, as guest to present awards to winners of 'Battle of the Entrepreneurs' of the tertiary students.

Diary fr al.com

4/8---Read newspaper early this morning, so……………unhappy! But hope everyone don't believe all..…
The report on the priority ticket incidence, actually I know abt it, I too wish so much to meet everybody, but because of other subjective matter, things are impossible to be settle alone myself, on the support from fans, I know the best!
Because of what has happened this time……….I can only say 'sorry!' to everyone.

3/8---Today FTK opens officially, despite having practise my concert till v late last night, his morning even before call from my office, I called back to ask abt the tic sales in the cinemas. Unexpectedly……………!!! Got a v good news, with the support of everyone, the cinemas box office ar a ll v good. Haha……..!Haha…………!!
· Night time attended FTK special preview activity, as it was held at Tong Lor Wan busy street, so it was v busy! Can see frinds support me all 3 nights, really v touched!