To fulfill his long-time dream of opening a coffee shop, the normally obedient TVB star, Moses Chan Ho, has declined to act in Producer Cheung Kin Man’s new series, Happy House, Hidden Dragon <樂府藏龍>. Moses’ priority in choosing to manage his new coffee shop led to Producer Cheung’s dissatisfaction, who viewed Moses’ reason for decline as too far-fetched. TVB executive, Virginia Lok Yi Ling, was caught in the cross-fire. As a passionate coffee lover, Moses has been busily occupied with the grand opening of his new coffee shop in Malaysia. He often travelled between Hong Kong and Malaysia in order to oversee the store. Last November, Moses agreed to film Producer Cheung’s new 30-episode ancient series, Happy House, Hidden Dragon. Last month, Moses declined to film the series, which will begin shooting on May 1st, since he will need to oversee his new coffee shop in Malaysia for several months. Since TVB’s Artist Department approved Moses’ leave of absence, Producer Cheung was forced to find a replacement for the role. Moses Will Not Abandon His Acting Career Responding to media inquiries, Moses said, “I regret that I was unable to film in Producer Cheung’s series due to scheduling conflicts. I know Producer Cheung is unhappy over the matter. I have tried my best to explain my situation to TVB executive management, who know that I normally will not reject filming for a series. I hope they understand.” (Are you sacrificing your acting career for the love of coffee?) “That’s exaggerating the matter. My main occupation is still acting. Opening a coffee shop is just a small dream of mine.” (Wouldn’t it be a big expense to decline job offers while overseeing the coffee shop?) “No…I have arrangements. However, I will definitely continue to film series.” Producer Cheung Kin Man Disgruntled TVB Producer, Cheung Kin Man, expressed his outright dissatisfaction with Moses’ reason for being unable to film for his new series. When asked whether he accepted Moses’ reason due to the need to oversee his new coffee shop, Producer Cheung was stunned, “I will not comment. Anyway, whoever accepted his reason for leave of absence needs to be held responsible. He [Moses] used this explanation with everyone he spoke to. Other people who heard his explanation felt it was unreasonable. Since he used this reason and TVB did not object, I have nothing else to say. TVB is a corporate entity; there is no absolute need to cast Moses Chan.” Plagued by the need to find a replacement for Moses’ role, Producer Cheung admitted that Pierre Ngo Ka Nin was a possible candidate. At the same time, Moses’ costumes in the series were custom-tailored and already completed. Co-stars, Bobby Au Yeung, Myolie Wu Hang Yee, and Linda Chung Ka Yan’s costumes were completed as well. Since Moses’ costumes must be altered to fit the replacement actor, no wonder Producer Cheung was troubled. However, he reiterated, “Although it’s troublesome, it’s not like TVB cannot carry on without one person.” Virginia Lok’s Response TVB executive, Virginia Lok, felt helpless over Moses’ situation. “Moses is currently on vacation leave, which has not been officially activated yet. Originally, he was supposed to manage the affairs of his coffee shop in these two months. However, the details for the store opening were settled late, thus conflicting with the filming of Producer Cheung’s new series. Moses asked whether the filming could be delayed for one month, but there is no reason the entire cast and crew’s schedule had to be revised. The only choice was to decline the role, which I know made Producer Cheung unhappy.” Ms. Lok advised Moses that he should place priority in the filming of series. “Of course I advised him to place priority in filming. However, each person has his own choice. Coffee is as important as Moses’ life. He once said that coffee will be his lifetime career and was more important to him that women. I felt torn over this matter as well.” Source: Jayne Stars
Must say I wasn't expecting this, a person like Moses has a dream to open up a coffee shop. It's a shame that the producer doesn't even feel happy for Moses that he is fufilling his dream.
