Date: 26 July 01
Headline/Source: Andy played with fire under temp of 38 degree C, rode motorbike to bomb police station (Apple Daily )
Faced with danger Andy stood in for Johnnie as director (The Sun)
Andy bombed police station personally (Ming Pao)
Andy assumed two roles to bomb police station (Sing Tao)
Andy in full speed played with life (Oriental Daily)
Andy threw 2 mil to bomb Thai police station (Sin Pao)
Under twmp of 38 degree C to film explosion scene, Andy's leather jacket melting hot (Ta Kung Pao)
No miss for Andy to bomb police station (Wen Wei Po)

Calling himself 'Super Motorcyclist', Andy filmed a dangerous explosion scene during shooting of FTK in S'pore. He acted personally in this breathtaking scene.

Shooting was done in the studio rented from TCS [not TBS].

[...Look out for pretty Wendy who acted in this scene as backdrop!]

In this scene, Andy rode a bike to bomb a 3-storey Thai police station. He had to plant the bomb which was timed to explode within 60 sec.

Within this short interval, he had to leave the place looking cool & calm, a sec late he would be in danger of being killed!

To film this scene, a 7 digit figure was used to rent the place & employ the explosive experts. Under hot climate of 38 degree C, Andy did not wear the leather jacket, not until it was time to shoot.

As Johnnie To had left for HK that day, Andy stood in as director, in addition to being the actor [& boss too].

As the explosives could be used only once, the scene had to be done with only one take. Andy though anxious, tried to calm the crew. When they asked if he was alright, he reassured them, "No problem, I even jumped from the train, I play motorbike since young, in Time Of Romance & Full Throttel, I was a motorcyclist!"

Together with the crew, he had another praying session, to pray for smooth shooting.

After bombing, Andy left the scene in style, the workers clapped for him. He said, "The temp was so hot, with the heat from explosion, the leather jacket was just melting away, I rode as fast as possible, telling myself to leave to another world."

More than 20,000 boxes were used for the explosion. After the take, Andy looked back at the ruin, said, "A mil dollars over in a minute!"

Actually Andy himself was quite anxious before shooting, he had to make sure everything was done perfectly with only one take, & timing had to be exact for him to leave the scene.

There is a movie promotion tomorrow. Andy will appear in the annual comic exhibition to autograph for 150 in an hour. For HK$200, the fan get an autographed poster of FTK. Proceeds go to aids for an eye hospital. 1,5000 copies of The Making of FTK vcd will be given to fans. A comic book on FTK is up for sale .with the vcd. Andy had helped with the packing of vcds, it was done within 2 hours.

Diary from al.com

24/7---Today went back to office for the monthly meeting, as I was more busy before this, the meetings were stopped temporarily 2 months. Looking back these 2 months. Actually the co has continued to make changes.
Especially al.com the changes is especially more, other than the look, the member nos has increased quite a lot, esp friends from the mainland. Also received many mails on ideas for the new web, more are praises then condemn, all these made me v happy! Hope al.com can become more complete in development, giving all a new space!

FTK starring Andy & T Sorimachi is coming at full force, the duo launch action figures alike the roles they play in the movie.

This is the first time Takashi filmed HK movie. Acting role of Ah O, he said happily, "This killer role is v different from that acted by Andy, he was a high profiled, arrogant killer, I am cold & introvert, but both like the female assistant at the same time, leading to an intrigue relationship." Andy praised Takashi for acting well, he will have more filming opportunities in HK.

Diary from al.com

23/7---Day after day, continue with the practice of the concert, today suddenly hope that the concert starts tomorrow, hope to share the fruit of my practice. Today went o the radio stn for an interview on the concert, if u have listened, u will know the style of the concert this time.
Actually all this while I have been busy with concert preparation, no time for other matter, all the other work are left aside, but FTK premiere is coming up soon, I would use all the time I have on this matter, because this is v important to me, I will wholeheartedly involved in it, hope I can bring new surprises to u all, everyone get ready for it!

Recently Andy was at Metro Radio for the promote of the movie FTK. Talking on his role, he said, "I take up the role of a high-profile & arrogant killer this time. Actually I had thought of doing the role played by Takashi, but if I again acted role of a killer with low profile, it is like ROOT, so I choose to try this new role."

Headline/Source: Andy thinking of Miu Sai Ren the most (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy cannot forget Miu Sai Ren(Ming Pao)
Andy feels Takashi is able to open market in HK

At Metro Radio for the promo of FTK lately, Andy was asked which artiste he misses the most since he joined the circle, without a second thought he said it is Miu Sai Ren. [an actress in the '80s]

Andy said, "Earlier on while I was passing by a busy street, by chance I saw her on the road. But I was in the car, so was not able to said hello to her, really regret, she is still as beautiful."

Don't be mistaken, Andy just feels that she is a great beauty.

Andy also talked abt filming of FTK, because he likes the story so much, he feels he must make it into a movie. There were 2 killers of different characters , O & Tok. The first is cold & proud, resembles ROOT main lead, so he chooses the optimistic Tok, but this role needs to smile a lot, Andy is worried abt lines on his face. He has also acted as an 'ostrich' in the movie. Until now he dares not watch this movie yet. But he has confidence with Johnnie. "There were many action scenes, maybe Ah To can help me pave a road for action movies, many will ask me to film."

Takashi who is first new in HK movie, has successfully enters HK market.

Source: The Straits Times dated 23/7
Title: ROLE MODEL

Andy Lau poses with a 30-cm figurine of himself which is modified after his likeness in the upcoming Fulltime Killer. The toy sells for HK$980 ($230) each on andylau.com & has changeable heads & clothes plus firearms. It will retail with one modeled on Lau's Japanese co-star Takashi Sorimachi in the film. But while the pants on Sorimachi's figurine can be removed, Lau's cannot." I wish to leave some privacy for myself." The HK star joked.

Diary from al.com

22/7---Other than practise dancing today, has an extra work this afternoon, that's become a packing man in the factory.
Went to movie co this afternoon, see many workers were v busy working, working v hard to pack 'The Making of FTK' vcd into a cover package, v busy…..Since I have some free time, of course must help , don't worry…I wont make it worse, every package put only one vcd, no extra.

Source: Liberty Times dated 14/7 [Part IV]

Andy with King of the Idols label on his back, admitted that he is not worried abt getting old, change of external look, unstable status & other problems, his only worry is not having enough time to do a good piece of work, such as in acting, he at 30 to 40 is at the best, mature, & cultured, can be said to be a beginning!

King loves to eat, weird eating habits, cannot resist food

Though the King has no fear, privately he has a v cute habit. Running his hands on his flab-less body, he said to keep in shape, he eats v little before sleep. But he loves to take breakfast, he can forgo lunch. Many a time when the work is busy, he is without food a whole day. For him, if he does not see food he is alright, but if there is a spread of food in front of him, he will unknowingly finish all the food.

This habit is still not too queer, the most queer habit is after sleeping, he said, if it is not because the day before was too tired, that he went to v deep sleep, almost everyday he wakes up at 3 or 4 am, to look for food in the hotel room or his home.

Andy does not eat much, the most is a simple fruit, nibble 2 pieces of biscuits, so his home in HK always have some corn flakes for emergency use. His mother stews birds nest soup for him to take in the morning sometimes, with the instructions that he cannot eat any other thing 1/2 an hr after, until all the birds nest soup is absorbed.

The record promoter said, once, they discovered that all the food in the hotel had finished, then they knew Andy woke up at night, not being able to find anything to eat, ate up all the edible thing!

[The End]

Source: United Daily News
Headline: Andy settled debt of HK$40 million

Andy who is 20 yrs in showbiz was bestowed title Heavenly King long ago. But actually he becomes a real mature King only last year, & he had settled a heavy debt of HK40 mil not long ago.

Even a King was deep in debt! This is because 10 yrs ago he set up a movie production co called TeamWork, the movies made were not consumer-orientated but he continued to pour in money, without knowing how to be a boss. Within a short period of 4 yrs, the co was in negative balance, he has to withdraw his shares & became a salaried staff.

The experience makes him learn that it is easier to lose money than to make. He estimated the 40 mil he lose could only be cleared till yr 2000. Andy, a v determined person, promises that at the time when the debt was cleared, he would relaunch TeamWork. Not only has he done that, he gathered another 40 mil to film FullTime KIller, with Takashi coacting, directed by Johnnie whose movie directed by him won Andy Best Actor award.

Andy became famous v early, he held a record of filming 14 movies in a yr. But he admitted most of the movies portrayed him as idol. Though he did not agree to it, he endured the time. He said, 10 yrs despite feeling uneasy, he still received all the movies without giving others a chance. He realised his behaviour was wrong, his acting showed no improvement. He felt he had cheated the audience to go to the cinema, so he should now compensate by forming TeamWork.

Though TeamWork brought Fruit Chan to fame, Andy did not bother with the process of movie production, so it becomes him helping friends to film movies, leading to the high debt. Now he has become rather cold-blooded, he wont invest blindly because of friendship, despite the high production cost, from the overseas screening rights collection, as long as HK box-0ffice exceeds 10 mil, he can make even Fulling dream of being the Best Actor, singing care at tip-top condition, Andy now is no longer light in the ears.

Diary from al.com

21/7---Everyday practise for the concert, today finally can have a day rest. My prg is v rich today, that's to wholeheartedly arrange my new home! Other than cleaning taken care of by my family, all the arrangements are to be done by me as much as possible, actually now other than living room, the rooms, & kitchen whh are more neat, the other places all not arranged, believe it may take up to a week to complete the whole house!

20/7---Hard at dance practice. Finally today can see the fruit of hard work. Other than practice today, first time wear the dancing costume to dance ….specially done for the concert, though still have areas not right, but all in all can be said to be in rhythm with the dancers, at the end of the whole dance, won some claps from the assistants!

Once Andy was filming in Thailand

He scolded 2 workers in front of 3,000 over people. It is v rare that Andy flares up in public. The scene was recorded by his satff. [You can see it in the vcd of 100 Yrs of Movie Legend.

Andy said he cannot understand why these people were so irresponsible with work. But because of language barrier, though he scolded only 2 persons, to the others he is scolding everybody. After venting his anger, he apologised to those involved including the onlookers.

Andy said, "Previously I cried more easily, bit not so nowadays. In my memory, the worst one was in Singapore. I couldn't even wait till I reached the hotel, the moment I left the scene & up on the car I broke down."

Andy was in S'pore for a promo activity. When he was at the site, the staff handed the prepared cd to the organiser, but the organiser had only a cassette player. Andy lip-sync. The most embarrassing moment came when the tape stuck, Andy with mike on his hand, sang 'let me, let me, let me, let me… return back to your side...' It was over after much difficulty. When he came down, the reporter wanted to interview him, he felt v low in mood & didnt feel like talking, he went to the car. He was critised as having no manners, & too assuming.

Not knowing that he broke down the moment he went up the car. The worst was the staff, who patted his head & cried with him.

[To be continued]

FullTime Killer starring Andy & Takashi is slated for release soon. 2 sets of action figures on Andy & Takashi are launched by andylau.com. Only 1,000 are available, each has its own serial nos, no 927 has been booked by Andy, there are only 999 left. Each set costs HK$980. Orders are available at al.com from 26 July.

Each action figure is 12" tall, with looks of killers as in the movie. All the joints of the figurines are mobile. Heads, hands, shirts, pants, shoes are changeable, except Andy's figure, pants of which cannot be removed. There are accessories such as weapons (long gun G38GI, U21, pistol M92FS, grenade, lamp), come complete with a pouch for the killer to put the weapons. Really meticulous.

Comparing the 2, Takashi's set has changeable head, shirt, pants & shoes, in addition to cowboy's pointed boots & converse sneakers (Sing Tao), but Andy's figure can only change head & shirt, the pants cannot be removed.

Andy said mischievously, "Yes, mine cannot remove the pants! Please dont try to remove it & spoil the figure, give me some privacy! How to let u see all! Haha! The real reason is actually because it has more of accessories, Takashi figure has only pistol M92FS, so let him change clothes more often!"

Andy said he is quite satisfied with his own figure, as it look v real. The jacket for the figure made following exactly Costume National leather & is of real leather.

Andy has booked serial no.927 as it is his bday, there is no Andy if there is no such a date. He had wanted no.1 , but he will now give it to the fans.

Other than this, Japanese Medicom Toy company has set his eyes on Andy, it will make 2 figures of Andy with Kubrick. Andy is the 2nd HK star after Bruce Lee to be picked by the company. Kubrick has become a popular toy of youngsters in HK, Japan. The Kubrick figure will be released by a new Japanese mag producer 'Hao Y' & a new mag 'Milk' together with Medicom.

One set of Kubrick toy resembles Andy's boxer look in AFB, the other is in trendy clothes. The height is abt 6cm, each has a limited 1,000 figures. A coupon comes with the release of this new mag Milk next Thursday 26/7. There are 2,000 winners.

[HUH?? not for sale???]

Source: The Sun

In order to promote the products, album & movie companies usually release memorabilia. It was said earlier on that action figures will be produced for Andy's FTK . The writer (I) feels that it is again a 3rd grade product, even if given to u, u would know where to put them. But that day after seeing Andy's first release of action figure, it really makes me wipe my eyes, because other than of high product quality, it looks v realistic! This made me feels like buying a set.

The producer & my colleague told me it is not u can buy when u want it, it is of limited stock, only 1,000, each costs $980, Andy has reserved 927 for himself, I will book a 906 set, as a bday present for myself.

Diary from al.com

Headline/Source: Killer's gun went off accidentally, Andy's bum almost shattered (Apple Daily)
Andy challenge death by jumping at the rail, train brushed by his body, almost dragged into the air current (Oriental Daily)
Andy pulled pistol from back pocket, discharged accidentally, almost had an accident (The Sun)
Full speed train brushed passed, Andy scared & nauseous (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy vomits on seeing light in FullTime Killer (Ming Pao)
Andy jumped rail to save life (Sing Tao)
Andy as killer jumped rail (Sin Pao)

FullTime Killer opens on 1st of August in HK. The movie costing 40 mil to produce has many scenes taken in S'pore.

The cost of renting railway station & underground MRT at Raffles Place added up to a 7-digit sum. Filming was not done in the underground train in HK as the takes were too dangerous. S'pore MRT have safety gates at all stns. It was rented to them for only 3 hrs, after closure of service at night.

Andy, both boss & actor, did not use any stuntman. In one scene, he opened the safety door of the train & jumped to the rail. The train zoomed passed him at full speed. There was hardly any space between the rail & wall of the tunnel, it was a mere 7"!! Andy had nothing to hold, he pressed his back firmly on the side of tunnel, hands clutching tightly to the brick of the wall. The air current generated by the speeding train was enough to sweep him away. At that moment Andy had a sudden fear for death. Either a half or an inch forward would chop him to pieces! Luckily it was over with only one take. Andy fear lingered after the take, he was motionless for 2 minutes.

After filming this scene, he had to run in the dark along the rail many times. Another scene filmed that he come out to the open. But Andy has a sickness that is photophobic, he will vomit & lose his strength on exposure to strong light. After acting in the previous scene, still scared & nauseous, this scene is easier & will look realistic, as he still has fear with nausea.

In another occasion, he has to swipe out a pistol from his back pocket rapidly. In a split second, the pistol trigger went off at the pocket. Andy felt a sudden heat at his backside & something burning. Luckily it was an empty bullet, it punctured thro' his leather pants. He too was so amused, he laughed for a long time before filming started again.

Source: The Sun
Headline: Andy Lau work attitude serious

Andy has been in the circle for many yrs, his working attitude is always serious. The writer respect him a lot for this. If the writer has working colleagues with Andy's attitude , he will be most happy.

Such as in the news reported today, to produce the best result, the pistol went off when he pulled it out from his pocket, boring a hole in his pants, Actually this is not without danger, luckily it is only the pants were shot, a slight miss may land him in danger of hitting the 'reproductive organs' [dear reporter, Katherine feels you comically exaggerates …] Andy has to be really careful. Because many fans love & cares for him a lot, do not let these fans worried for you.

The scene where the trains zoomed passed, the fans will feel heartache, Andy while struggle to do the best, most important is still safety!

Source: Apple Daily Feng Ren Shou Diary

Andy's court case with Hang Seng Bank has dragged for yrs with no conclusion so far. Andy's lawyers' fees is definitely close to 8 mil. If it continues to drag, it will exceed 10 mil in no time. Andy's TeamWork was re launched, after AFB whh is not bad movie, the 2nd movie FTK is coming up soon, the combination with Johnnie To should gross box 0ffice of 15 mil.

Source: Oriental Daily

Andy & Faye's voice were heard at the bookfair yesterday! The Buddhist book stall played their Buddhist songs & talks! Andy's cd & casette with the look of a monk was actually out in '99, with the Buddhist name Hui Gua he had a dialogue with his teacher, in Cantonese, asking mnay questions involving the unhappiness at work & in family. Many thousands copies were given out to those destined.

[Thanks, Katherine has a copy.]

Diary from al.com

18/7---Other than practise dancing today, is again dancing. The concert this yr, I will have new ventures, what is it really? Of course I will keep mum, you will know when u come to see.

In 1999, Andy lodged a court case to sue Hang Seng Bank for infringement of image copyright. The Bank uses photos of Andy performances in TVB to print on its credit & phones cards. He applied for injunction & asked for a compensation. The case is yet to be heard.

Andy has asked the bank to answer 6 questions. The Bank, however, claimed that it has the approval of TVB to use the photos & has a contract, it refuses to answer the questions, saying that they have nothing to do with the case & lodge an appeal. The judge overruled the appeal, now the Bank has to answer all of Andy's questions. TVB has been dragged in to become the third party.

The 6 questions asked by Andy are group into 2 categories. The first category have 4 questions. Andy wants to know the total nos of applications for idols cards in 'Pick Your Choice Idol Plan', the nos of applications with credit cards emblazoned with Andy's pic, the total nos of successful applicants of Andy's credit & phone cards, the total applications for phone cards used by the bank with Andy's pic.

The bank claimed that these are mere figures & have nothing to do with the case. The court feels that these figures reflect Andy Lau's reputation & extent of popularity of product endorsed by him. It may be related to the case, so the bank must answer.

[shiok!]

The second category comprises 2 questions. First, Other than introducing this type of idols credit & phone cards, has the bank ever used other persons in the entertainment circle, film stars or singers names, photos, or image to promote credit cards or other services provided by the bank.

Second, Andy wants to know if the bank has ever sponsored managers of those in the entertainment circle, film stars or singers, so as to use their names , photos, or image to promote the credit & other bank service. A further question by Andy is , if the bank has ever done that, he wants to know the person status at the time of being used & at what stage of the time was used. The court feels that such a famous person like Andy Lau. there is market value, these 2 questions can understand if the bank has sought other artistes approval before they initiate such an exercise, is related to the case, so the bank must answer the questions.

[Bravo!!]
[sorry, lawyer Jaime, for any wrong translations!]

Diary from al.com

17/7---These few days busy preparing for concert practice, everyday after practicing dancing, practise singing & strength, already busy non-stop….also my house renovation is almost finished, now I have to be busy with buying of furniture for the new house & the arrangement. Thought it is a v simple matter, but to choose furniture for the whole house, actually need a lot of time, but I think this is worth it, because nothing is comparable a home!

Andy has another breakthrough in acting. He plays the role of a cold-blooded killer in the new movie called FullTime Killer. The movie opens early next month.

Tok acted by Andy is a merciless killer who had killed hundreds of people. Tok has some psychological imbalance & finds no satisfaction, he was deprived of many merits that he deserved because of his illness. He chooses to be a killer to satisfy his inadequacies. This is the first time Andy assumed a merciless role in movies.

There were many gory scenes. At one scene, Andy was hit on the head with a glass bottle. Though the bottle was made of molten sugar, the smashing of it on the head was real painful. But the blood on the face was not real.

In another filming scene at Raffles MRT station, Andy sustained a real injury. As the place was crammed & dark, he hit his head against the hook on an iron gate. It was so painful that he couldn't utter a word. The workers were all v worried , he signaled that he was alright. He felt sorry to let them worried. There was real blood from the scratch, but it was the pain that was unbearable.

On the night of Miss HK pageant, Eric Tsang who was attacked by some tugs & needed 20 over stitches was able to attend the function with a smile. Andy said Eric must have much more pain, he is really one who has good professionalism. Andy had called to convey his concern.

Andy is always a hot fave. Both George & Alan want him to be guest at their concerts. Andy will appear on the first night of George's concert. Alan who has his concert in Aug at Convention Hall, with their good relationship, Andy will not turn down his invitation.

Diary from al.com

16/7---Today take photo shots for a new series of Baleno promo posters. Since it is for winter, have to put on thick winter clothing in this hot day, including sweater, windbreaker, turtle neck long sleeve, thick winter coat, v hot~~~~~!
Luckily the workers take good care of me, they turn the floor air con to the max, so I was not sweaty, but I am a bit worry that the workers will catch a cold like that!

Commercial Radio has released a big-scaled radio drama wuxia serial called 'Pigeons' Garden' The first episode was on air over CR 903 yesterday. Time of broadcast is from Mon to Fri, at 8:30am & 11pm.

The script was written by Lin Hai Feng, who got the inspiration from a drama serial abt an old man who had to give up his pigeons because of environmental restrictions in HK. He hopes the radio drama will give people more imaginations & is different from the usual restrictions of a radio drama.

The stn had invited famous comic artist Xiao Ke to design period looks for the cast. They look like wearing period costumes, but a closer look at the accessories shows it is actually a combination of the old & present fashion, such as Andy & Ekin's sneakers. Lin Hai Feng put on a colorful tee. Said the artist, "I draw according to individual look, Lin pic is fatter than real person, I shall correct the drawing."

Andy, acted as Golden Eagle, not only takes time to dub the 40-parter drama, sang the theme song, & he who likes calligraphy wrote the title for the station.

The story is abt a pair of lovers who conveys their love thro' a pigeon. One day the pigeon gets too tired & cannot help the couple to convey the love msg. At the time when the pigeon regains its freedom, the lovers lost their contact.

Andy possesses a pair of super strong legs that can run as fast as wind, but is lonely with no partners.

Source: Liberty Times dated 14/7 PART II

In his secondary school days, Andy's dream was to become a 'director'. He had started to write scripts at this time. Under the guidance of his teacher, Tu Kou Wei (playwright of I Have An Appointment With Spring'), he ever wrote a script called 'Non-stopping Wind'. With script 'Morphing' he beat the university students from both the art & Science streams.

""Morphing' was later used to make a TV serial in HK, acted by Chen Yilian. I was at some parts too! Chen Yilian is v beautiful! I was already in love with her at that time. I was only 16!"

In his acting training class, Andy helped around writing script for others. But when he graduated, the school divided the students according to the performance, Chang Ze Chen was given to be a director, Wang Yaumin given 'music', Andy, Tony Leung, Xu Jin Chinag, Anthony Wong were given to be 'actors'. Since then, Andy dropped his dream to be a director, he whole-heartedly tuned to become an actor.

"The truth has proved that, all my dreams are false. So, I dont dream, whatever the world wants me to do, I do."

Andy said he is a v lucky person. Since his acting days of 20 years, there is no tumultuous ups & downs. He feels that even faced with downs, there is no need to be v worried. One should face it in a relax manner & dont give up easily, there is nothing that can be unsolved!

How daies Andy vent his bad mood? He smiled, "I cry! When really not happy, go home, close the door & cry."

How does Andy cry? How sad was he to make him cry?

He said it depends. The thing he could not accept most is being 'misunderstood'. Esp if he is really doing something with all his souls, yet was accused of being sloppy. How abt love rumour? "What is that thing? If an artiste has no love rumour, then that is pathetic. I dont believe one can become famous without having love rumour."

Andy has a lot of workers around him all the time, but the ones that made him angry are usually one or two, in order not to involved the others, he will usually tolerate till he is home before he shows up. Because he knows his family members understand & forgive him, but not the outsiders, when he flares up he cries easily.

Do u want to know why Andy drop tears? He gave an example, once at a discussion on script, an asst director seeing that he said more, commented, "Do u all idols have so much ideas? " Andy replied, "alright, alright, alright, I wont say."

A few days later, that director saw that he did not say anything at the meeting, commented, "Do idols need not to bother abt things?" That day, Andy went back & had a good cry & was moody.

"The attitude of that asst. director was everything done by Andy is wrong." The curious reporter asked where that director is now. "Saw him again, he has nothing much to do nowadays!"

[To be continued]

Diary from al.com

15/7---These 2 days almost everybody is talking abt Beijing success in the bid to host Olympics. Actually this is a real good news for all of us!
I was lucky to be able to attend the previous Olympics, saw every athletics practicing v hard, just to get better result, every time makes me respect them a lot!