"Yung Mei Ling's journey. From Competing in the Miss Hong Kong Pageant to Becoming a Popular Star"
1985 May, Variety show magazine nr 31, with a special about the mourning for Yung Mei Ling, translation is of pages 18 and 19.
This is a tragedy.
I still remember two months ago, when a large group of journalist friends were just chatting and having a meal with her. Who would have thought that this farewell would be a final goodbye?
In an album, I once heard a saying:
‘Everyone has their most glorious and brilliant moment. Some people are like shooting stars, seeking brilliance without permanence. Others are like fixed stars, always present, but without any radiance.’
Yung Mei Ling belonged to the former. Unbeknownst to people, she used up all her bright light as she streaked across the sky, only to fall suddenly when everyone was caught off guard. It all happened so suddenly, so surprisingly, leaving behind only sighs of regret.
Returning to Hong Kong to Compete in Miss Hong Kong, Her Performance Was Average
Yung Mei Ling was born on May 7, 1959, in Hong Kong and studied there until she immigrated to the UK with her mother and uncle when she was in Form 4. In early 1982, she returned to Hong Kong for the first time to visit her godmother. With the encouragement and nomination of her godmother and the prestige of having won the first runner-up title in the 1980 Miss Chinatown UK pageant, she entered the 10th Miss Hong Kong pageant.
From the interviews to the finals, she progressed smoothly and was quite confident in herself. However, her height of only 5 feet 2 inches was somewhat of a disadvantage. Although she could score well in terms of experience and stage presence, her performance was not outstanding, and she ultimately did not win a title.
But this was not the end. On the contrary, it was the beginning. This failure led to a smooth journey in her career as a star.
Entering the Entertainment Industry, the seeds were sown for the "Thirteen Sister".
After failing in the pageant, she caught the attention of the organizers at TVB, who invited her for a screen test. By August of that same year, she began hosting the show 'New Image for Women.' At the time, she had considered whether she should enter the entertainment industry, often referred to as a 'big dye vat.' Eventually, she thought it would be good to give herself a few years to try, especially since she had studied textile design in the UK. If she grew tired of the entertainment industry, she would have another career path to fall back on.
'That's why I believe that studying is the most important thing!' Her words still echo, but where is she now?"
The show "New Image for Women" had a high appearance rate, airing five times a week, and gradually, the audience began to notice this young girl with rabbit-like teeth and big eyes. Within less than four months, she was pulled over to the drama department. Where Yung Mei Ling starred in her debut role in the TV-serie "Thirteen Sister."
Yung Mei Ling was one of the few lucky ones who, without going through the typical process of playing minor roles or attending training classes, was able to quickly become a leading actress. During the filming, her relationship with one of the male leads, Tong Chun Yip, deepened and developed further.
After "Thirteen Sister" was completed, her life became even more vibrant and busy, marking a turning point in her career as a rising star.
"Charming Huang Rong" Comes to Life, Yung Mei Ling Rises to Fame
At this time, TVB began production on a major series, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes." The role of "Huang Rong" was publicly cast in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. After numerous interviews and screen tests, Yung Mei Ling managed to stand out among more than three thousand candidates and was officially cast in the role.
Yung Mei Ling's performance was highly praised; she brought the character of "Huang Rong" to life. This solidified her status in the television industry, and "Huang Rong" became another name for Yung Mei Ling.
"The Legend of the Condor Heroes" should be considered Yung Mei Ling's breakthrough and signature work. Although she went on to act in a series of other dramas, none resonated with the audience or achieved success like "The Legend of the Condor Heroes."
Fragile Emotions in Need of Refinement, Talent in Singing and Dancing Begins to Emerge
After her overnight rise to fame, the scriptwriters at TVB quickly seized the opportunity, inviting her to co-star with Adam Cheng in the modern drama "The Middleman." However, the emotional depth of her role was not as strong as that of her co-star Lau Mei-Yee, and her modern attire was not as appealing as her costume roles. This may have been due to her limited acting experience or perhaps because the audience had already embraced the charming and lovable Huang Rong, making it difficult for them to accept such a different character. This not only proved how deeply the image of Huang Rong had rooted in people's hearts but also fuelled her ambition to expand her acting range.
She also participated in "Star Light Dance Contest," where she sang a duet with a Miss Hong Kong contestant and performed a graceful Sumba dance with Tong Chun Yip. Their dance was beautiful and well-coordinated, receiving considerable praise!
Rushing to Film in the Studio, Singing Love Songs on Valentine's Day
Later, she collaborated with TVB's three rising stars Felix Wong, Tong Chun Yip, and Michael Miu in the drama "The Battle Among the Clans." TVB clearly aimed to create a "three stars surrounding the moon" effect, but the ratings were only average, failing to propel her to greater heights.
TVB might have recognized her talent in playing mischievous and clever characters, so they prepared a period comedy, "The Fearless Duo," with Yung Mei Ling as the lead and Michael Miu as the male lead. In this drama, she once again brought her clever and lively persona back to the screen, making it one of her more successful and satisfying roles since "The Legend of the Condor Heroes."
During the wrap-up of this drama, Valentine's Day arrived, and Yung Mei Ling, along with Tong Chun Yip, Felix Wong with Leung Kit-Wah, and Rebecca Chan with Savio Tsang, were invited to perform love songs on the show "Enjoy Yourself Tonight."
Yung Mei Ling and Tong Chun Yip chose to sing Sam Hui's famous duet "Love Song of the Two Stars." Their mutual affection was evident in their eyes during the performance. Reflecting on this now, it's too late, adding to the sentiment.
For Yung Mei Ling, who rarely sang, this was a new experience, and having the chance to sing a love song with Tong Chun Yip held special significance for her.
翁美玲成长的过程
———竞选港姐到当红炸子鸡
这是一个悲剧。
犹记得两个月前,一大群记者朋友才与她一块儿聊天、 吃饭,想不到这一别竟成永诀。
在一个专辑中,曾听过那么一句话:
「每个人都有他最光辉与灿烂的时刻,有些人象流星, 只求灿烂,不求永恒。有些则是恒星,虽然永远存在,但如 毫无光采。」
翁美玲是属于前者。她在人们不知不觉的当儿,用尽了 她亮丽的光芒掠过了星空,却又在大家不知所措的时候,殒 落了。一切是那么的突然,那么的叫人惊讶,余留下的也只 有一阵阵的唏嘘。
回港竞选港姐,表现不过不失
看美玲是1959年5月7日在香港出世,一直在香港念 书,而到了 Form 4的时候,便与妈妈舅舅一齐移民到英国。 就在1982年初,她首次回港探望契妈,仗着曾获得 1980年英国华埠小姐第一副姐的余威,又在契妈的鼓励与
提名下,便参加第十届的香港小姐竞选。
从面试到决赛,她节节胜利,也对自己颇有信心。但施 的确是吃亏在身材方面,只有五呎二叶似乎是矮了点。尽管 可以在经验与临场方面博分,不过,她的表现还是不见出色 ,终于名落孙山。
但这并不是个结束,反之,而是个开始。这次失败换来 的却是条平坦的星路历程。
晋身娱乐圈,“十三妹”情根暗种 话说她落选后,则被主办当局无线看上,而拉了去试镜 。同年8月,她便走马上任成为「妇女新姿」主持人之一。 当时,她也曾考虑过是否要步入俗称大染缸的影艺圈,后来,觉得给自己几年的时间间间也好,况且,她在英国是谈特织设计的,在这圈子泡久了,腻了也留有条后路可走。
「所以我认为读书是最重要的了!」 言犹在耳,伊人何在?
「妇女新姿」这节目的出镜率高,每周五回,渐渐地观 众从中也开始注意到这位有颗兔子牙,大眼睛的小女孩。不 到四个月,戏剧组人员把她拉了过去。于是翁美玲主演了她 的处女作「十三妹」。
翁美玲是少数不须经咖喱啡或训练班的过程而能一跃成 为女主角的幸运儿。由于和剧中的男主角之一的汤镇业朝思 暮对之下,感情有了进一步的发展。
「十三妹」拍峻后,她更缤纷更忙碌的日子也接踵而至 。同时也为她的星运扭转了局势。
“俏黄蓉”栩栩如生,翁美玲飞上枝头
就在这时,无线开拍一部重头作的「射雕英雄传」,为了「黄蓉」这角色,在新、马、港台公开征选,经过频频的面试及试镜等,翁竟能击退了超过三千名的靓女,正式的在剧中担任。
而翁美玲的演出,深获好评,简直是把「黄蓉」给演活 了。也因此她巩固了在电视圈中的地位,「黄蓉」也成了翁 美玲的别名。
「射」应是列为翁美玲的成名作与其代表作,尽管在往 后的日子,她曾演过一系列的剧集,但论共鸣,论成功,则 还是「射」此剧。
感情脆弱待磨炼,歌舞才华初毕露
一夜成名后,无线电视的编剧们立刻打铁趁热,力邀会 与郑少秋合演时装剧「夹心人」。唯美中不足的是命在这里头的内心戏却不如她的对手刘敏仪,时装扮相也不及古装的讨好,这可能是戏龄尚浅,却也可能是观众已受落了俏皮可「爱的黄蓉,一时间无法接受这截然不同的角色。这一来证明三了黄蓉的形象深入民心,二来更激起了命发展各方面戏路的野心!
下来的「星光烤烤劲争辉」她也有参与演出。除了与港 姐合唱外,在节目中她还与汤镇业跳了一支 SUMBA,舞姿优 美,配合无间,颇受赞美!
片厂里连日赶戏,情人节大唱情歌
过后,她又与无线的三位新扎小生黄日华、汤镇业及苗 侨伟合作,开拍「决战玄武门」。无线此举无疑是想来个「 三星拱月」,可是收视率只属普通,并未使命更上一层楼。 无线可能也知悉翁在饰演刁蛮与鬼马小姐的才华,故筹 备一部清装喜剧「天师执位」以她为主角,男主角是阿苗。 在戏中,翁又把阔别多时「生鬼」伶俐的形象,重现在萤光 幕前。这也是会继「射」后,较能胜任与令人满意的剧集。
在这出刷「埋尾」期间适逢情人节,翁美玲与汤镇业, 黄日华与梁洁华,黄曼凝与林伟健这三对小情人被邀上「欢 乐今宵」中大唱情歌。
当时针与汤选唱许冠杰的成名作「双星情歌」,二人款 款情意通过了演唱时的眼神表露无道,而今重温,为时已晚 ,倍添感慨几许?
这对于少开金口唱歌的翁美玲来说,是项新尝试,而又 有机会与汤搭档唱情歌,对她来说却又是意义深远呢!
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