Chilam Cheung’s (張智霖) popularity rose to unprecedented levels after the broadcast of Triumph in the Skies 2 <衝上雲霄II>, helping him win Best Actor awards in China and Malaysia. Speculated by the media to repeat the win in Hong Kong, Chilam surprisingly lost the TV King award to Dayo Wong (黃子華). Receiving only the Most Popular Male Character award, Chilam appeared to be disappointed. Pointing to his controversial acceptance award speech, netizens criticized Chilam for behaving ungraciously. Ill-mannered Acceptance Speech? “Does TVB not like me? Is it only possible to win the award through popular votes? Biological children are lovable, but when appearing at the necessary and right time, loyal children are very important too!” Chilam said on stage when he received the Most Popular Male Character award at the 2013 TVB Anniversary Awards. Chilam’s acceptance speech hinted that he was dissatisfied in only receiving a consolation prize. He had declined a lucrative promotional appearance fee of $500,000 HKD to appear at the Anniversary Awards ceremony. Although he is a non-managed artist, Chilam has loyal ties to TVB and often filmed dramas with the station. After the Anniversary Awards ceremony concluded, Chilam met with fans who waited outside TVB Studios and spoke with The Scoop <東張西望>. However, he left without speaking with reporters from TVB’s official magazine publication, which normally interviewed the winners after the Anniversary Awards. Netizens criticized Chilam for his discourteous acceptance award speech. One person wrote, “It’s already good to win the Most Popular Male Character award! On stage, you spoke so ungraciously! You can’t even act, that’s why you lost [TV King]!” However, was Chilam only attempting a wry joke when he said TVB did not like him enough to give him the Best Actor Award? Good friend, Christine Ng (伍詠薇), quickly came to his defense on Weibo, “I don’t think that he’s ungracious. Mr. Cheung is definitely a humorous, gracious, and loyal artist.” Triumph in the Skies 2 star, Francis Ng (吳鎮宇), was asked to comment on his and Chilam’s loss in Best Actor. Francis said, “Of course there are flaws and reasons!” Anita Asks Chilam to Be Thankful Chilam’s wife, Anita Yuen (袁詠儀), also provided words of encouragement despite his Best Actor loss. Anita wrote on her Weibo blog, “You were very, very handsome today! Winning the audience’s favor and admiration, this is what an actor needs. Very thankful!” Anita reminded Chilam that with 77,948 viewers voting for his Most Popular Male Character win, there is already good reason to celebrate. The couple had a bet earlier, and Anita believed that he would not win Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards. Chilam followed through on losing the bet and bought Anita a diamond bracelet. Creds: Oncc
Honestly when I was watching the ceremony I didn't feel like he was trying to bash TVB when he asked if it was because TVB didn't like him. As for the children comment, what's there to make a big fuss about? What he said made sense and was definitely relevant to TVB. In fact, I admire his courage to speak up at such an event when hundreds of thousands of people are watching him.
I think most people were shocked coming from him it was uncharacteristic? some may even call him selfish or greedy? he wanted two and actors beside him are better don't even have one that night! as a Chi Lam fan i was shooked when i heard his speech. sounds like years of frustration with the company and he released it that night
What he said was a mixed of how he felt and some humor. I didn't really care too much. I thought the overall of winners this years was great, a lot of the winners deserved it. Happy Dayo won cause he brings his own style to the screen. He's unique and creative, just fun to watch on TV.
tbh - when he said that speech, I didn't really like look in that deep and just thought it was a laugh really.... depends how people take it... but to me.. seeing chilam in interviews and weibo and seeing how his friends thinks about him... he is that funny person who just likes to mees around - like a big kid.
