Barbara Yung. Her heart still belongs to Kent Tong. Only Caring About Happiness.
Fame and fortune
“When it comes to fame and fortune, I take a go-with-the-flow attitude. As long as it’s something I deserve and have worked hard for, I’m happy to accept it. I don’t like deliberately fighting for these things — even if you get them, so what?”
This is a kind of personal philosophy. The entertainment industry is very realistic: once you become famous, benefits naturally follow, and people start looking at you differently. Who doesn’t want fame and fortune? As a result, some artists are favored by Lady Luck and gain both fame and wealth, while others spend their whole lives stuck as insignificant bit players, never able to rise again.
“Have you heard Sam Hui’s song ‘Against the Flow’?” she asked excitedly. “I really like it — it perfectly expresses how people working in this industry feel. It suits me very well. A while ago, there were many rumors about me, and I felt extremely low. I even thought about quitting altogether.”
Who would have thought that someone who appears so smooth-sailing like Barbara Yung would also have moments of loneliness? Just like the lyrics say: ‘Passing through both smooth and rough currents in this circle, facing cold stares and insincere smiles, silently enduring it all.’
Since that’s the case, why be hurt? Everyone knows it’s lonely at the top. People attack you and envy you because you have achievements and a future worth envying. When you personally witness every success you earned through sweat, isn’t that joy and satisfaction enough compensation?
“Relationships between people are very complex. If one day you don’t perform well, the director will criticize and make things difficult for you. But once the show airs and gets a good response, that same director will come asking you to star in his next production. Competition is fierce, so all you can do is your best. If you place too much hope on things and end up disappointed, the blow will be even harder.”
Isn’t it true that the higher you climb, the harder you fall? Still, survival of the fittest isn’t wrong either.
“I studied textile design in the UK. Even if I don’t work in television, I still have a backup plan. That’s why the more you study, the better — knowledge is something that always belongs to you.”
Thoughtful Barbara Yung had already paved a way out for herself — though her fans certainly don’t want her to leave!
Fans
The success of an idol-level artist owes much to their fans. Receiving over a hundred fan letters a day — praise, criticism, admiration, devotion — provides spiritual encouragement and comfort.
Hong Kong fans, compared with those in Singapore or other Southeast Asian countries, tend to be more critical and observant.
With a half-amused, half-serious expression, she explained carefully:
“Things aren’t the way you imagine. . Felix Wong and Kitty Leung are inseparable — no rumor can break them up. As for Michael Miu, since we’ve worked together so often, we naturally spend a lot of time together. Sometimes Ah Tong and I, and he and Jamie Chik, all go out together. We know each other too well — sometimes we don’t even need to talk.”
Perhaps that’s why TVB scriptwriters kept writing versions where Michael Miu falls for Barbara Yung, or vice versa. But on-stage and off-stage emotions, are far too complicated to explain clearly. Since Michael Miu was rumored, Tony Leung naturally couldn’t escape either.
A few months ago, while filming Challenge, Barbara Yung and leading man Tony Leung finished work at the same time. Rumors soon spread that someone saw them hugging, shopping, and arguing affectionately late at night.
“First it was Michael Miu, now it’s Tony Leung — next it’ll probably be Andy Lau!” Barbara protested angrily.
She explained that night a large group went out for supper after work. Tony Leung simply drove her home. There was a third person present, but for some reason witnesses claimed it was just the two of them.
“Isn’t that unfair? I’m not even without a boyfriend — why do people always say I’m stealing someone else’s man?”
This clearly shows that her heart still belongs to Kent Tong.
“I’m an independent person with my own opinions. I believe in fate. Even though I lived in the UK for eight years, my views on relationships are still very traditional. Marriage is very important to a woman.”
In her ideal partner, career stability is essential, and both sides must be compatible. She firmly believes there’s no such thing as a perfect Prince Charming — everything depends on timing and fate.
“I won’t think too much about it. Five years from now, even if I’m a bit older, as long as I’m happy and fulfilled, what’s wrong with waiting?”
That makes sense.
As for rumors about Kent Tong?
“Not long ago, while filming 'Hong Kong Graffiti’ there were rumors about him and Sandra Ng. I didn’t ask him — honestly, I don’t think there’s any need to.”
She answered decisively.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, especially in an industry full of gossip. External rumors can easily create misunderstandings that destroy genuine feelings — why let that happen?
Career and Contracts
Her recent works include the modern drama "The Sandwich Man", four consecutive collaborations with Michael Miu — : “”United we stand”, "The Foundation," "The Fearless Duo," and "The New Adventures of Chor Lau Heung," — and the completed modern series Challenge with Tony Leung.
She also participated in many large-scale TVB variety programs, such as anniversary celebrations, gala events, and New Year specials. Compared to her fellow Miss Hong Kong contestants Leung Wan Yee, Cally Kwong, and Daisy Au, her star power clearly surpassed theirs.
TVB has promoted many stars in recent years, but expects loyalty in return, often requiring three- to five-year long-term contracts. This restricts outside appearances and film opportunities, leading to disputes with stars like Andy Lau, Michael Miu, and Kit Ying Lam.
“If you’re happy, signing five years is fine. But if you’re unhappy, even five months is too long. Many of them trained for a year, acted for three more, then had to sign another five-year contract — that’s ten years in the entertainment industry. It’s a long road and should be considered carefully.”
Barbara added seriously:
“When I filmed The Legend of the Condor Heroes, I already had a five-year contract. I still have more than three years left, so I have time to think.”
She repeatedly emphasized that happiness is the most important thing in life — born from optimism, supportive friends, and a good working environment.
Life is fleeting like a dream. Why not enjoy it while you can?
翁美玲
她的心仍然属于汤镇业
一、只在乎快乐
名与利
“对于名利，我一向抱着顺其自然的态度。只要是自己应得的、靠努力换来的，我都会欣然接受。我不喜欢刻意去争取这些东西——就算得到了，又能怎样呢？”
这是一种人生哲学。娱乐圈是非常现实的地方，一朝成名，利益自然随之而来，别人也会对你另眼相看。试问又有谁不希望名利双收呢？结果是，有些艺人得到幸运之神的眷顾，名利兼得；而有些人却一辈子只能当无足轻重的小角色，始终翻不了身。
“你们有没有听过许冠杰的《顺流逆流》？”她有点激动地问道，“我非常喜欢这首歌，它真的写出了在这个圈子里工作的人的心声，很适合我。前一阵子外面有很多关于我的传闻，我的情绪低落到极点，甚至想过干脆不做了。”
谁能想到，外表看起来一帆风顺的翁美玲，也会有如此落寞的时刻？正如歌词所唱：“只感到这圈中经过顺逆流，每颗冷酷眼光，共每声虚伪笑声，默然一一承受。”既然如此，又何必太伤心呢？
谁不知道高处不胜寒？别人打击你、眼红你，正是因为你拥有令他们嫉妒的成就与前途。当你亲眼看到每一分汗水换来的成果时，那种喜悦与畅快，不正是最好的补偿吗？
“人与人之间的相处其实非常复杂。有一天你表现不好，导演就会挑剔你、为难你；可是一旦剧集播出反应良好，他又会回来找你当下一部戏的女主角。竞争真的很激烈，所以只能尽力而为。如果对事情抱太大的期望，一旦失望，打击反而会更大。”
爬得越高，跌得越重，这个道理不也是如此吗？但适者生存，同样没有错。
“我在英国读的是纺织设计，就算不拍电视，也还有一条后路可走。所以书当然是读得越多越好，学识永远都是属于自己的。”
细心的翁美玲，早已为自己铺好了退路——只是，她的影迷们显然并不希望她离开荧幕。
影迷
一位偶像级艺人的成名，影迷的支持功不可没。每天收到不下百封影迷来信，有赞美、有批评、有崇拜、有倾慕，无疑是一种精神上的鼓舞与慰藉。
相比新加坡或其他东南亚国家的影迷，香港的影迷往往更加挑剔，也更敏锐。
她带着半认真、半无奈的神情，仔细解释道：
“事情并不是你们想象的那样。黄日华和梁洁华感情非常稳定，什么风浪都打不散。至于苗侨伟，因为合作得多，自然常常在一起。有时我和阿汤、他和戚美珍，也会一起出去。大家太熟了，甚至有时连话都不用多说。”
也许正因为如此，无线的编剧们才不断写出“苗侨伟爱上翁美玲”，或“翁美玲爱上苗侨伟”的版本。然而，台上台下的感情真假难辨，实在太复杂，也很难向外人解释清楚。苗侨伟被传过绯闻，梁朝伟自然也难以幸免。
几个月前，翁美玲在赶拍《挑战》时，与男主角梁朝伟收工时间相同。不知是真是假，竟传出有人深夜看到两人相拥逛街、吵嘴又亲密，态度异常亲热。
“刚传完苗侨伟，现在又说梁朝伟，接下来是不是就轮到刘德华了？”翁美玲气愤地抗议。
她解释说，那天晚上是一大群人收工后去吃宵夜，梁朝伟只是负责送她回家，现场其实还有第三个人。但不知为何，目击者却说只有他们两人。
“这样不是很冤枉吗？我又不是没有男朋友，为什么总是说我抢别人的男朋友？”
这番话，无疑证明了她的那颗心，依然属于汤镇业。
“我是个独立、有主见的人，我相信缘分。虽然在英国待了八年，但我对男女关系的看法仍然很传统。婚姻对一个女人来说，是非常重要的。”
在她心目中，理想的伴侣首先要有事业基础，同时双方也要合得来。她坚信世上并没有完美无缺、那么‘完美’的白马王子，一切都讲求机缘。
“我不会刻意去想这个问题。五年后，就算年纪大一点，只要快乐、美满，又有什么关系呢？”
这番话，倒也颇有道理。
至于关于汤镇业的绯闻，她又是怎么看的呢？
“不久前拍《香江花月夜》的时候，传出他和吴君如的消息，我没有问他。真的，我始终觉得没有这个必要。”
她语气十分坚定。
两个人的相处，最重要的是一个“信”字。尤其是在这个是非不断的圈子里，外界的流言蜚语，足以制造一个又一个美丽却致命的误会，毁掉一段真挚的感情，何苦呢？
事业与合约
她近期的作品包括时装剧《夹心人》，以及连续四部与苗侨伟合作的《决战玄武门》《天师执位》《生锈轿王》《楚留香之蝙蝠传奇》，还有已杀青、与梁朝伟搭档的中篇时装剧《挑战》。
此外，她也参与了不少无线大型综艺节目的演出，如台庆、星光熠熠争辉、新年特备节目等。相比同届港姐梁韵蕊、邝美云和区鸿萍，她的星光可谓有过之而无不及。
近年来，无线这间“大台”捧红了不少明星，但也希望他们能“饮水思源”，与公司签下三至五年的长期合约，以便制定更长远的制作计划。然而，这也限制了部分当红演员在外接戏、登台的机会，因此引发了与刘德华、苗侨伟、蓝洁英等人的矛盾。
“我觉得，如果做得开心，签五年也无所谓；但如果不开心，五个月都会觉得太长。再说，很多人都是训练班出身，读一年才出来演戏，演了三年后又要再签五年，整整十年泡在娱乐圈，这是一段很长的路，真的应该谨慎考虑。”
翁美玲认真地说：
“我拍《射雕英雄传》的时候已经签了五年合约，现在还有三年多，我还有时间慢慢想。”
她一再强调，快乐才是一生中最重要的元素。快乐来自个人的开朗乐观，也需要朋友和工作环境的相互配合。
浮生若梦，何不及时行乐？
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