The Six Siu Sang of TVB

**Disclaimer: This is my opinion and my opinion only. If you agree with me, great. If you don't, let's agree to disagree. Please do not spam me because I've dissed your idol. Thank you!

This is my take on the 6 "siu sang" (young scholars) of TVB. They are very different from each other and excel in different ways. The personality section is only my personal take on them after having watched several interviews of the actors. The "rumoured girlfriend" section refers to the one actress that the actor has been mainly rumoured to be with and my opinion of whether they've ever actually gotten together. The Chan-Lok spectrum section refers to my perception of the actor's favourability with the senior management of TVB (Stephen Chan and Virginia Lok). The other sections are pretty much self-explanatory.

KEVIN CHENG

Personality
A guarded, quiet but wise guy, probably because he is the oldest by about 10 years. Described as quiet and subdued by show biz friends and portrayed as conservative by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Niki Chow. I think they've gotten together, but have probably split up since.
Chan-Lok Spectrum
High. Clearly favoured by TPTB (the powers that be) and often referred to as TVB's "godson" along with Hacken Lee.
Friends for Life
Good friends with Raymond Lam and Ron Ng.
Fan Base
People who think he's handsome (lots of them) and people who like aww-shucks couples i.e. teens.
As an Actor
Chrismatic, super handsome, but not particularly memorable. I'm still waiting for a breakthrough performance from him.

RAYMOND LAM

Personality
A self-proclaimed bore, but has a dry wit / sense of humour. Described as mature and rational by his show biz friends and portrayed as a spoiled brat by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Linda Chung. I hope they get together but don't think they're quite together yet (although I think Ray has a soft spot for her, judging from recent interviews).
Chan-Lok Spectrum
Low. He doesn't have any of the criteria that TPTB usually likes i.e. grew up overseas, those who went from rags to riches (Shirley Yeung, Kevin Cheng). His success is based on the surprising intelligence of the HK / international population in recognizing talent.
Friends for Life
Best friends with Ron Ng. Good friends with Kevin Cheng, Bosco Wong, Tavia Yeung, Charmaine Sheh, and Myolie Wu.
Fan Base
Appeals to young and old and people who like good acting and versatility.
As an Actor
The whole package. Charismatic, handsome, memorable and versatile (can do ancient and modern series, drama and comedy). The best actor out of all the siu sang. The only thing that hurts him is that he doesn't look good with any of his female co-stars with the exception of Linda Chung.

RON NG

Personality
Goofy and a joker. Described as playful by show biz friends and portrayed as a womanizer and impulsive hothead by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Ella Koon. I think they got together briefly before breaking up.
Chan-Lok Spectrum
Low. Doesn't have much going for him except his teen fan base and dancing ability.
Friends for Life
Best friends with Raymond Lam and good friends with Tavia Yeung.
Fan Base
Teens.
As an Actor
Charismatic and good-looking in the teen heartthrob kind of way, but suffers in versatility and the worst actor of the siu sang.

KENNETH MA

Personality
Quiet, friendly and no-nonsense. Described as hardworking, punctual, and gentlemanly by show biz friends and portrayed as a boring chap by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Kate Tsui.
Chan-Lok Spectrum
High. Has been getting lots of media exposure and opportunities from TVB ever since winning the 2006 Most Improved Actor award.
Friends for Life
Good friends with Kate Tsui but a loner otherwise.
Fan Base
People who feel sorry for people who are underrated.
As an Actor
One of the rare cases of being underrated for a reason - he has zero charisma. I can tell he tries hard but you can't fake/learn the X factor. Not a bad actor, but his lack of charisma and screen presence seriously hurts him.

BOSCO WONG

Personality
Goofy and a joker. Described as playful by show biz friends and portrayed as a goof by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Myolie Wu. I think they're together.
Chan-Lok Spectrum
Moderate. Only favoured by TPTB because he is essentially riding on the coattails of the War of In-Laws success.
Friends for Life
Good friends with Raymond Lam.
Fan Base
Teens.
As an Actor
The opposite of Kenneth - has lots of charisma but he has yet to live up to his acting potential. Like Kevin, I'm waiting for a breakthrough performance from him. Also the most "commoner"-looking siu sang.

MOSES CHAN

Personality
Soft-spoken and gentlemanly. Described as a "good man to the core" by show biz friends and portrayed as TVB's godson #3 by the media.
Rumoured Girlfriend
Bernice Liu. I think they're together.
Chan-Lok Spectrum
High - because TPTB likes people who grew up overseas or spent a lot of their formative years overseas (this is why Fala Chen, Patrick Tang, Kate Tsui, Bernice Liu are being promoted like nobody's business despite being questionably talented).
Friends for Life
A loner.
Fan Base
People who consider an actor's real-life personality to become a fan.
As an Actor
Generally terrible in drama but terrific in comedy. The least good-looking siu sang but has won a strong fan base based on his genuine, gentlemanly personality.

My take on the 6 "fa dan" of TVB will be coming up next!