2004-03-16 Deric Wan Takes You To His Silver Journey

Origin: TVB8 Starlight Film Section
Title: Deric Wan Takes You To His Silver Journey

TV Broadcast Time: March 16, 2004 at 8:00pm

Having immersed in the entertainment business for several years, Hong Kong artist Deric Wan recalls his foolish youth, how in every possible way the taste that exists in his mind...

"Young people will always have a bit of foolish strength! When I was studying, I didn't know whether my singing ability was good or not. I took the courage to participate in our school's singing contest and won. All of a sudden, I was soaked with happiness! The next year I signed up again and also won! I found out at the time that I won not because I sang well, but because others didn't sing as well! Afterwards I held onto this playful attitude and entered the first singing contest. I never thought that I would succeed in advancing in at number 30. For those few seconds I was really afraid! Luckily I had my family's unlimited support: Dad taught me how to sing and Mom made clothes for me to imitate Japanese Saijo, Hideki's dress style. I had both stage manner and model! What was the final outcome? Ha, ha! Competitions are fair. I lost!" Thinking about his foolish appearance during that year, Deric couldn't help from laughing out loud!

Even though he lost the contest, under fate's arrangement, Deric finally entered the entertainment business. He started his performance career, singing and acting, along with program hosting and record disc jockey. "During the time I was with Hong Kong's TV station, I accepted 100% of the occupational training. Right now my talking technique, stage performance fundamental skills, came from the training I received then."

Deric's self confidence is make every effort to be perfect and to do the best you can. Even though his main occupation was not singing, he had expectations in his recordings, paying careful attention to every detail. "I seem to make it difficult for myself all the time. Being in this business for so many years now, I should be able to take it easy on a lot of things. But I am still like an old man being so stubborn and persistent. I remember one incident at the recording studio when I was recording a mandarin song, all because of repairing one line in the lyrics we ended up recording for 8 hours! I was so tired by then! But I am like that, if I don't achieve my expectations, then my heart will not rest!

Photos & Chinese version located at www.tvb.com.hk/tvb8/b5/entertain/star_profile/s_1370.html

2004-06-08 Deric Wan Respects Girlfriend As A Teacher

Origin: Ta Kung Pao
Date: June 8, 2004
Subject: Deric Wan Respects Girlfriend As A Teacher

Deric Wan and Cindy Au act as husband and wife in "Grey Tracks". Yesterday, in response to reporters request, they posed in a dance position. Deric Wan expressed that in all of his acting career, he has only danced three times. It has been over ten years since the last time he danced. At the time, he remembers causing his dance instructor to vomit blood!

When mentioning his girlfriend, Sonija Kwok's excellent dancing skills, Deric Wan promptly responded "She has a talent for many things, for example, Chinese dance, jazz dance, etc. At first I thought that she started dancing in primary school, but that wasn't the case. She was very quiet when she was little." He revealed that he once thought of attending social dance lessons with his girlfriend. It would help in acting. Also driving car lessons and horseback riding. Because of Sonija Kwok's skilled horseback riding, he couldn't help but praise her "She is calm and clever. In all aspects, she is my teacher. She is not only my English teacher. Possibly because of her strict upbringing, she is more receptive to things compared with others. She can endure more than me. Her willpower is stronger than mine. (So what can you teach your girlfriend?) Basically there is nothing I can teach her."

Photo: Deric Wan wishes very much for his dance partner, Cindy Au, to be Sonija Kwok instead.

Photos & Chinese version located at http://www.dericwan.com/news_new/takungpao_20040608.htm

2004-05-18 Deric Wan's Intense Day of Being Force Into the Sauna

Origin: TVB Magazine
Date: May 18, 2004
Subject: Deric Wan's Intense Day of Being Force Into the Sauna

Column: TV Girl's Interview "Grey Tracks" (Temporary Title) Location: Saikung, HK
Note: This website will only provide in Chinese details related to Deric Wan.
Under 30 degrees Celsius, going out to sea to dive is a great thing. That is why Bowie Lam, Guo Feng and Cindy Au, once dressed in their diving suits, were waiting eagerly to dive in and enjoy the water. Only Deric Wan sat at the rear of the boat, baking in the sun. Even raining sweat, he was not willing to enter the water. Why would that be?

Several years ago while filming "I Am Good By Nature", he almost drowned during a diving scene. This left him with a dark reflection. Not only will he not go into the water, he will not even wash his hair under the shower. Therefore, he would rather sit at the rear of the boat, baking in the sun.

After a half day's hard work, Deric finally conquered his mental barrier. He made a gesture towards the TV girl, "I'm fine now!"

The TV girl watched Deric sweat heavily. Every drop of sweat was like the size of a pea. Just like being in a sauna.

Photos & Chinese version located at http://www.dericwan.com/article_new/tvb_20040518.htm

2004-02-12 Sonija Kwok and Deric Wan Ten Fingers Hold Tightly Exposing Their Love. Break Up Becomes A Rumor

Origin: Ming Po Weekly
Date: February 12, 2004
Topic: Sonija Kwok and Deric Wan Ten Fingers Hold Tightly Exposing Their Love. Break Up Becomes A Rumor.

Deric Wan and Sonija Kwok these two lovers, have been reported several times to have broken up. A few days ago there have been reports of Sonjia Kwok and long time acquaintance, Tang Chi Fung meeting again on close terms, causing the break up with Deric Wan. But these two with fingers holding tightly, visiting each other frequently at work, have warded off the rumors.

Yesterday at noon, Deric Wan and Sonija Kwok returned to Hong Kong from a stage performance in the United States. The two were holding hands showing their affection, while Mrs. Kwok (Sonija' mother) and their assistant followed close behind towing the luggages.

Not In Contact With Tang Chi Fung

Reporters immediately asked these two regarding the break up news. Sonija Kwok replied, "I haven't seen the magazine report yet, but my manager has already informed me. I feel that I don't have to respond." (Has she always been in contact with Tang Chi Fung?) She has not. (Are you are both holding tightly to prove that your love has not changed?) No. Reporter redirectly the question of love change to Deric Wan. He held up their holding hands and said twice "You can see for yourself." He smiled sweetly during the entire journey.

Deric Wan Made Frequent Visits

Because Sonija Kwok had to start work immediately, Deric Wan accompanied her like "sticky candy". Sonija would not accept any interviews, leaving it all to her boyfriend to answer the media. Deric Wan revealed that because in the next two days he will be going to Shanghai to film for 3 months, he is now taking the opportunity to be with his girlfriend before going back to work. That means that he will not be celebrating Valentine's Day with his girlfriend? In his heart, everyday is Valentine's Day. Regarding the rumors of Tang Chi Fung being the third person, he believes everyone understands so there is no need to worry. To him Tang Chi Fung has a good impression, so the reports are senseless.

He emphasized that rumors will not affect their love, Sonija has already said that if he wants to marry her, he will have to wait. He replied with a smile, "I have lots of patience to wait."

Photos & Chinese version located at http://www.dericwan.com/news_new/mingpo_20040212.htm

2004-02-07 A Branch of Mold: Deric Wan

Pictures scanned by: Rita
Source: MingPoa Weekly (Issue #1839)
Date: February 7, 2004
Title: A Branch of Mold: Deric Wan

During the New Years, we avoid buying new shoes so as to keep from BAD LUCK. New Years Serial The Vigilante In The Mask showed signs of "moldiness". The first week ratings averaged 23 points, losing 200,000 viewers.

Everyone said the lead actor was "moldy". Even Bihua Li wrote in her column, "There is a generation gap between the main cast. The old guy is outdated while the unknown girl's performance is immature and her voice is childish. In addition, the boring plots and the stardom's exaggerated expressions have taken away the viewer's interests even though it may be very funny."

Have to believe it is misfortune. In the new year days, rumor about their breaking up came again. But it became another prescriptive rumor after they had denied the hearsay with one voice. Recently Deric Wan has believed in Jesus. When talking about fate, it become superstitious. He said, "There are many disguise devil around the entertainment circle. Do I have to be responsible for the bad ratings? I don't have the qualifications to assume all responsibilities by myself."

Since dating with Sonija Kwok, Deric has been a target for one year. His tactics is to retreat in order to advance.

One weekly reported that he was moldy because he annually grossed HK$990,000. Compared to his girl, whose annual income was HK$3,500,000, he was in the disadvantageous position. He coldly replied ,"It can be said this article is written by a person who has no capacity to earn HK$990,000 per year."

Some people say that this 30 -year -old guy cannot match a girl who won in Miss HK competition and is being promoted by TVB recently. He said with a smile, " I believe 99% of those who have this opinion are feeling jealous of our relationship, and as for the 1% people, they are even more despicable. I can't think of a worse adjective to describe them."

Deric Wan used to be a DJ so he is quite persuasive. Although he is too wordy, he can make people laugh with his humor words, which may be funnier than The Viligante In The Mask.

The media likes to step on people when they start sinking. They stated that Deric Wan "is old and outdated", "has no strength to attract audience" and "has a bad image". But besides his self-satisfied realm of love, he even has some long-term fans. On the day of the interview, there were two Malaysian girls coming with him. He had been filming in Taiwan for 4 months and rarely it is hard for him to make time to return to Hong Kong for the new year, so they made a special trip to Hong Kong to visit him and also brought along his favourite Malaysian herb cakes for him. Both girls informed that they had been Deric's fans for 14 years.

When he and Sonija were shooting in two different places, the weekly made up a story stating that Deric had implicated Sonija so that she had to work hard day and night, while Deric had a good time with a saloon girl in Taiwan.

"While I was in Taiwan, except the actresses in the same series, there were not other girls staying with me. But they took the advantage to make up a story when they saw I was getting my hair cut. IT IS FUNNY. This is not the first time they twist the facts to slander me. If a thief gets used to looting, what can I do to stop him after he has been sent to jail again and again but not been sentenced to death?"

To Earn HK$990,000 A Year Is Plentiful

The weekly counted up his income for him. They said his bad image resulted in him being short of jobs. No matter how hard he has worked, his income is many times less than those of his girl friend Sonija, who can earn 3.5m HK$ a year with several commercials.

He replied with a smile, "To earn HK$990,000 per year is not enough? How much is enough? It can be said that this article was written by someone who cannot earn HK$990,000 per year."

"I'm not sure how much I can earn a year, MAYBE LESS, MAYBE MORE. Only the tax department knows my income. If the report was confirmed by the tax department with its stamp, I have nothing to say. To earn HK$990,000 per year surly is plentiful. It seems that the person who wrote this article is very greedy but isn't reconciled to reality. What kind of life will cost you HK$80,000 every month? What kind of job can make you be paid with HK$80,000 every month. I think it is very FUNNY. No matter how much Sonija makes, I will be happy with it. I even hope she can make more. Why I expect the people by my side to earn less than me? What kind of thinking is to lower others in order to raise myself?"

"If I my income is less than her, does that mean I cannot love her? There is no connection at all. It would be very FUNNY for the tax department to prevent you carrying an umbrella to go out if you make HK$990,000 a year, because it is very unreasonable."

Of Course I Can Match Sonija Kwok

Deric Wan and Sonija Kwok fell in love while filming Legend of Love a year ago. This news surprised many people. The guy had been married and divorced, while the girl was famous with her rumors. The outsiders didn't have any confidence on this couple. The media think Deric, an out-dated actor, cannot match a winner of Miss HK with pretty appearance and charming figure.

"Of course I can match her. I believe 99% of those who have this opinion are feeling jealous of our relationship, and as for the 1% people, they are even more despicable. I can't think of a worse adjective to describe them. We never ask for any blessings. We don't need them."

"I am ten years older than her. But what is the matter with it? How many years is Roger Kwok older than Cindy Au? NOT BIG DEAL. Even if a thirty-year-old man pursued Sonija, he may not be able to make her happy. The question is that you do not know what she wants. You only are making an unreasonable assessment. In fact, what I have disappointed you is I am the only one to know what she desires. I AM SO SORRY. For example, who can give her concern? The others give her only GOSSIP, NOT CONCERN. "

When talking about the problem whether he would match a winner of Miss HK or not, he made a comparison with driving a Ferrari.

"The person driving a Ferrari dose not to be handsome. How many handsome and young Ferrari drivers have you seen? A person will not have the qualification to drive a famous brand car until he has enough experiences. Ferrari used to produce manual control only. If you don't know how to use the driving stick, it would be useless even if I gave you one."

I kept asking ,whether dating with a winner of Miss HK was like driving a Ferrari. He promptly clarified that he didn't mean that way. He said, "If I was asked to use a comparison to describe Sonija, I would say she is like a castle, and I am the castle guard. I will put forth all my efforts to protect her. This is my responsibility.

"I asked him whether he would marry Sonija Kwok? He said, "Certainly!" Will he have children with her? With a more definite tone he said," "Certainly!"

He Who Make Up Rumors Is Very Low

Before dating with Deric Wan, Sonija Kwok was a TVB Queen of gossip. Almost all actors who have worked with her were involved in her gossip news, such as Louis Koo, Moses Chan, Steven Ma, Vincent Kok and Dayo Wong. It said that he took the advantage of her male partners to promote herself. As for these rumors, Deric Wan not only dose not care, but also fights back for her.

"I am very fortunate to know Sonija's pure personality. Since I met her, I have learnt how to distinguish the good people from the bad people. I am very conscious of her former rumors. Besides herself, I am the only one who can understand her feelings. After I found out the truth, I thought the people who liked making up stories were so cheap, and they would not have faces to stand in front of us anymore. "

He feels that by his side there is someone spreading ugly rumors to slander them. But he hates the Paparazzi (hunting reporters ) most. The Paparazzi wrote down the time when they went out and came back to make up the stories.

"Once we were surrounded by the Paparazzi while we are driving home. They kept taking the photos and the flashlight prevented me from seeing the road. Eventually we reached the apartment parking safely. I had to rest for a few minutes to calm down. The Paparazzi were still yelling outside, "Hey! Deric Wan, how is it? Will you come out?" I tried to hold back my temper and went out to said to them "GOODNIGHT." They continued yelling, "How is it? What do you want to say?" I cautioned myself not to get mad, otherwise they will get the benefit."

Meeting Paparazzi Is Like Being Robbed

"Every time when I meet with the Paparazzi, I feel like I'm being robbed. Although I was robbed by many people, I am unable to report to the police. What we have been robbed is our dignity, our privacy."

"Two persons love each other, may get married and build a family. In your opinion, is that a dishonorable thing? Fortunately Sonija and I are mature. We know what we want and what we don't want. What the others think we should possess actually is what they can't achieve by themselves. Luxury house? Is it because they do not have luxury house, so they think we should buy one? "

"People are constantly making up story and spreading rumors to attack us. But I think the media must know that our relationship will be stronger after they tried to attack us. We should keep us calm all the time, because we are not the only couple in the entertainment world. They are so many couples waiting there to sell themselves. We will be happy if our news is enough for them to support their families. "

Believe in God, Forgive Annoying Media

Deric Wan has recently turned to believe in Jesus Christ and plans to take the baptism this year. Sonija Kwok is not aware of this. She said fortunately her boyfriend did not talked about Jesus with her, otherwise she would be very bored.

"I started believing in God about half a year ago. Priest Lam Yu Nok keeps talking the reasons with me and he is my teacher. In fact God is always taking care of me but I wasn't aware of it. Two years ago, my father was affected with cancer. I did not know whether that is good news or not when the doctor suggested us not to spend money on the medicine anymore. I could see my father suffer much pain but I could not do anything to help him. At the time I got a lot of comforts from God. From then on, whenever I'm unhappy, I will say my prayers to God."

He said there were many devils in the entertainment circle. I asked who the devils were? He asked in reply, "Don't you think the paparazzi are devils? Last year, on the night of December 24th, he was filming in Taiwan. The work was finished early and everyone went out to revel. But he returned to his small room alone and prayed to God. He said he had forgiven all paparazzi who have offended him when he was saying his prayers.

I do not know whether this interview has offended him or not. But when the interview was finished, before he left, he said to me in a sincere way, "GOD BLESS YOU"

Outdated

In the media's opinion, Deric Wan is bad in hundreds ways, but in Sonija Kwok's eyes , Deric Wan is good in thousands ways. But both parties have one thing in common. That is they both dislike his old-fashioned clothes and hair style -- collared clothes, chain hooked onto trousers, gel-curved hair, makes one return to the 80's.

This is what he admit amongst the many criticism from the outside world.

"I like to keep old clothes in mind. For example, leather, it's very hard to wear-out. Some of the styles may be somewhat conservative. When it's trendy to wear old-fashioned styles, it's not a problem, but when it's not, the others will say that I am outdated."

Now, Sonija Kwok goes to his home and checks his wardrobe for him.

"She'll check my clothes for me. When she finds something outdated, she'll say 'This clothes is hard to wear now, you must buy it many years ago? Wear this less then.' For clothes, I look for modern styles but not old-fashioned. My wardrobe cabinet contains a certain number of old clothes. Should I wear them again? Last time I wore a dress was in 19xx. I'm not trying to open a museum. Since last year, I've started the cleanup, tearfully saying goodbye to them."

Besides throwing out his old clothes, Sonija Kwok also selects Clothes for him

"She is my FASHION DESIGNER. Sometimes she will help me match my clothes and teach me, "See, if you wear it this way it won't look that awkward." Today, the Issue suit that he's wearing was picked by his girlfriend. But for some reasons, after he had changed his clothes and walked out, the makeup artist and the two Malaysian fans said that the blazer seemed too large.

It seems that Sonija Kowk is perfect in Deric's mind, but there is still an insufficiency that she is unclear of her boyfriend's clothes size.

(Special thanks to Judy for editing the English translation.)
Photos & Chinese version located at http://www.dericwan.com/article_new/mingpoweekly_20040207.htm