Ruco Chan
Template:Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor Template:Chinese name Ruco Chan Chin-pang (born 14 January 1977) is a Hong Kong actor and singer. Chan gained media recognition as the young barrister Keith Lau in the TVB television legal drama The Other Truth (2011), and was critically lauded for the role.
After graduating from TVB's Artiste Training Class in 1994, Chan appeared in numerous small roles on TVB television dramas. In 1998, Chan left TVB and signed a record contract with PolyGram, and released the single "BLUE" that same year. Before returning to TVB in 2008, Chan joined ATV and portrayed starring roles in many ATV television dramas.
Early life
Chan was born in Hong Kong. His father was a firefighter and his mother worked as a housewife. Influenced by his father, Chan developed a love for table tennis and joined the Hong Kong Table Tennis team after receiving rigorous training at the Jubilee Sports Academy when he was thirteen. He was the youngest player to represent Hong Kong in overseas competitions at the time.[1] After five years of committing to the sport, Chan left the team upon finishing his high school education exams. After graduation, Chan was accepted into a technical institution and, attracted by the 3,000 HKD monthly income, also joined TVB's Artiste Training Class. Being only seventeen at the time, Chan was required to have his parents' signed approval before signing a management contract with TVB. His father initially refused, but later gave in when TVB offered an automatic contract cancellation if Chan didn't do well in his classes. Chan graduated from TVB's Seventh Artiste Training Class of 1994.
Career
Chan's television debut was in the serial drama Instinct in 1994, where he briefly appeared as the young friend of Ekin Cheng's character Pao Man-lung. Weeks later, he made a brief appearance in the sitcom A Kindred Spirit as the friend of Andy, portrayed by Hawick Lau, who was Chan's training class classmate. For the next three years, Chan performed in minor roles in over eighteen TVB television dramas. Chan left TVB in 1998 after signing a record deal with PolyGram. Prior to the release of his debut EP, Universal acquired PolyGram and Chan's contract with PolyGram became defunct. For the next few years, Chan won several small supporting roles in various Hong Kong films. When he had no filming jobs, he would work as a renovation worker, earning only 300 HKD per day.
In 2001, Chan signed with ATV to start working on television acting again. According to Chan, his first two years at ATV were "rough, uncomfortable, and filled with regret."[2] Despite his past acting experiences in both television and film, ATV only gave him minor roles and spots in music videos. Chan's first major role was in the 2004 period drama Love in a Miracle, playing the main antagonist. He was then given a major supporting role in My Date with a Vampire III (2004). Besides performing in television dramas, Chan also made appearances in many variety shows, and hosted many gala ceremonies for ATV.
Unsatisfied with his career at ATV, Chan returned to TVB in 2008 and signed an eight-year management contract with the company.[3] He was cast into supporting roles in several successful television dramas, such as The Threshold of a Persona (2009), Burning Flame III (2009), The Mysteries of Love (2010), Ghost Writer (2010), When Lanes Merge (2010), and Every Move You Make (2010), most of them being villainous roles. In 2011, Chan garnered media attention and critical acclaim for his portrayal of barrister Keith Lau in the television legal drama The Other Truth. Chan was nominated for Best Actor and My Favourite Male Character at the 2011 TVB Awards Presentation.
Personal life
Chan began dating Hong Kong actress Eunis Yiu in 2007. In July 2011, Chan and Yiu confirmed that their relationship ended in 2010.[4]
Filmography
Television dramas
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Instinct | Peter | Episode 19 |
| 1995 | Down Memory Lane | Chi-hung | Episode 15 |
| A Kindred Spirit | Eric | Episode 6 | |
| To Love With Love | Chu Tak-pak | 15 episodes | |
| The Criminal Investigator | Wu Sai-kit | Episode 15 | |
| The Condor Heroes 95 | Sung Tak-fong | Episode 23 | |
| File of Justice IV | Frankie Fan | Episode 23 | |
| When a Man Loves a Woman | Fong Sai-hoi | 2 episodes (Eps. 10–11) | |
| A Good Match From Heaven | Fong Sai-wah | ||
| 1996 | Cold Blood Warm Heart | Siu-san | |
| Outburst | Au Lik-keung | ||
| Wars of Bribery | Ah Sei | ||
| Nothing to Declare | Yeung Sau-chuen | ||
| The Price to Pay | Hung | ||
| ICAC Investigators 1996 | Investigator | ||
| One Good Turn Deserves Another | Lai Tin-wong | ||
| 1997 | Show Time Blues | Program host | |
| The Hitman Chronicles | Oisan-Koklok Yin-to | ||
| Mystery Files | Ka-leung | ||
| Justice Sung | |||
| 2001 | The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung | Wen Liangyu | 8 episodes |
| Yau Kau Bit Ying | |||
| 2002 | Project Ji Xiang | Albert Yung Siu-lung | |
| Thunder Cops | |||
| 2003 | Light of Million Hopes | Chiu Ko-hing | |
| Love in a Miracle | Chong Ning | ||
| 2004 | Son from the Past | ||
| My Date with a Vampire III | Ho Yau-cau / Destiny | ||
| 2005 | The Blind Detective | Jian Tailang | |
| Legend of Fang De and Miao Cuihua | Tiger Lui | ||
| Concubines of the Qing Emperor | |||
| Happy Family | Tsan-po / Ho-nam | ||
| 2006 | Hong Kong Criminal Files | Kam Chin-yu | 3 episodes (Eps. 16–18) |
| 2007 | Walled Village | Chan Heung-ching | |
| Stupid Child | Ko Siu-lam | Main role | |
| Hong Kong Ghostbusters | Lau Chi-pang | Main role | |
| 2009 | The King of Snooker | young Yau Yat-kiu | |
| The Threshold of a Persona | Kelvin Mak Chi-hin | ||
| Burning Flame III | Kelvin Pang Chi-ban | 9 episodes | |
| 2010 | The Mysteries of Love | Ben Wong Chi-ban | 2 episodes (Eps. 14–15) |
| Ghost Writer | Po Pak-ling | ||
| When Lanes Merge | Tony Kwan Syu-yan | 10 episodes | |
| Every Move You Make | Chiu Man-hoi | 4 episodes (Eps. 16–20) | |
| 2011 | A Great Way to Care | Dr. Leo Fong Wing-chun | Previously warehoused; released on DVD June 2009 |
| Only You | Ng Siu-hoi | 4 episodes (Eps. 4-6, 27) | |
| Grace Under Fire | young Lui Kong | Episode 4 | |
| Relic of an Emissary | Zhu Quan, the Prince of Ning | ||
| The Other Truth | Keith Lau Sz-kit | Main role My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Drama Character (1 of 15) Starhub TVB Award for Best TVB Male Newcomer Nominated—TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 15) Nominated—TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) Nominated—My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role (Top 5) Nominated—Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Actor Nominated—Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character | |
| Forensic Heroes III | Jim Fong Sai-yau | 10 episodes | |
| 2012 | No Good Either Way | Alex Mo Nga-lik | Main role My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Drama Character (1 of 15) Nominated—My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role (Top 12) Nominated—My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite On Screen Couple (with Kristal Tin) |
| Three Kingdoms RPG | Zhou Yu | 8 episodes | |
| 2013 | Cupid Stupid | Frankie Chung Kin-bong | Previously warehoused; released on DVD January 2010 |
| Reality Check | Summer Ha Yat-cheung | Main role Nominated—Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Actor | |
| Slow Boat Home | Kevin Ching Lai-wing (Fit Wing) | Main role Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character Nominated—Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Actor | |
| Brother's Keeper | Sam Kiu Tin-seng | Main role Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Male TV Character Nominated—TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) Nominated—TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular TV Male Character Nominated—TVB Star Awards for My Favourite TVB Actor in a Leading Role Nominated—TVB Star Awards for My Favourite Top 15 TVB Drama Characters Nominated—TVB Star Awards for My Favourite TVB Onscreen Couple (with Linda Chung) | |
| 2014 | Outbound Love | Luk Kung-chi | Main role TVB Star Award Malaysia for My Favourite On-Screen Couple |
| Ruse of Engagement | Carson Chong Yau-ching | Main role Starhub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Actor | |
| ICAC Investigators 2014 | Officer Kelvin Chan Kwok-yan | Episode 4: "Black Ball" | |
| All That Is Bitter Is Sweet | Ding Yat-yuen | ||
| 2015 | Eye in the Sky | Post-production |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Big Bullet | Chiu Sai-wing | (aka E.U. Strike Force) |
| Fifteen Candles | Nina | (aka They Don't Care About Us) | |
| Mongkok Story | Gump | ||
| 1997 | Tough Guy | ||
| Ghost Story "Godmother of Mongkok" | Brother Cup Noodle | ||
| My Love to Tell Me | |||
| 1998 | Shanghai Affairs | Bond Lao | |
| Oh! My Dad! | |||
| Trust Me U Die | Young doctor | ||
| Rape Trap | Chan Chi-pang | ||
| 2000 | Phantom Call | Car driver | |
| Evil Fade | Cheung Lok-ming | ||
| Diamond Hill | May's brother | ||
| Marooned | Sonny | ||
| 2001 | Ghost Office | Wong Yan-tung | |
| Distinctive | |||
| 2003 | Conman in Tokyo | ||
| Fate Fighter | Ken | ||
| News Heart | Fanco |
Discography
- 1998: Blue
- 1998: Chui Ho Kwan Hai (最好關係)
- CD1, Track 9: "Wan Ha La" (玩吓啦)
Television songs
| Year | Title | TV drama | Type | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Ju Ding" (註定; "Fated") (Cantonese version) | Love in a Miracle | Theme | ATV Drama Hits ATV 50th Anniversary Special (2006) |
with Amy Chan |
| 2004 | "Ai Zai You Qing Tian" (愛在有情天; "Love in a Miracle") (Mandarin version) | Love in a Miracle | Theme | ATV Drama Hits | with Amy Chan |
| 2004 | "Je Yat Tin Na Yat Tin" (這一天那一天; "This Day, That Day") | Love in a Miracle | Subtheme | ||
| 2004 | "Baak Seuhn Baak Keung" (白信白強; "White Trust, White Strength") | The Chinese Medic Master | Theme | ATV Drama Hits | |
| 2006 | "Yu Gwo Je Yat Sang Yau Ji Gei" (如果這一生有知己; "If There is a Soulmate in this Lifetime") | Hong Kong Criminal Files | Subtheme | ||
| 2007 | "Gaan Daan Ngoi" (簡單愛; "Simply Love") (Cantonese version) | Stupid Kid | Theme | with Calvin Li | |
| 2007 | "Man San Pai" (慢三拍; "Slow by Three Beats") (Mandarin version) | Stupid Kid | Theme | with Calvin Li | |
| 2007 | "Sam Yau Ling Sai" (心有靈犀; "Know Each Other's Hearts") | Hong Kong Ghostbusters | Theme | with Elle Choi | |
| 2007 | "Yuet Ngoi Yuet Yung" (越愛越勇; "The More Courageous") | Hong Kong Ghostbusters | Subtheme | with Elle Choi | |
| 2012 | "Sau San Juk" (瘦薪族; "Thin Salary Clan") | No Good Either Way | Theme | with Louis Yuen, Gill Mohindepaul Singh | |
| 2013 | "Siu Cho" (小草; "Little Grass") | Reality Check | Theme | ||
| 2013 | "Geui Lun" (巨輪; "The Big Wheel") | Brother's Keeper | Theme | with Edwin Siu | |
| 2014 | "Cha Bun Bo" (差半步; "Just Half a Step Left") | Outbound Love | Ending Theme | ||
| TBR | "Chin Gwan Yat Faat" (千鈞一髮; "A Thousand Pounds Hang by a Thread") | Ruse of Engagement | Ending theme | with Ron Ng |
Selected awards
| Year | Award | Category | Film/TV drama | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | My AOD Favourites Awards | My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role | The Other Truth | Nominated |
| 2011 | My AOD Favourites Awards | My Top 15 Favourite Drama Characters | The Other Truth (as "Keith Lau") | Won |
| 2011 | TVB Awards Presentation | My Favourite Male Character | The Other Truth (as "Keith Lau") | Nominated |
| 2012 | Starhub TVB Awards | My Favourite TVB Actor | The Other Truth | Nominated |
| 2012 | Starhub TVB Awards | My Favourite TVB Male TV Character | The Other Truth | Nominated |
| 2012 | Starhub TVB Awards | My Favourite TVB Male Newcomer | The Other Truth | Won |
| 2012 | My AOD Favourites Awards | My Top 15 Favourite Drama Characters | No Good Either Way (as "Alex Mo") | Won |
| 2013 | Starhub TVB Awards | My Favourite TVB Actor | Reality Check and Slow Boat Home | Nominated |
| 2013 | Starhub TVB Awards | My Favourite TVB Male TV Character | Slow Boat Home (as "Kevin Ching") | Won |
| 2013 | TVB Star Awards Malaysia | My Favourite TVB Actor in a Leading Role | Brother's Keeper | Nominated |
| 2013 | TVB Star Awards Malaysia | My Favourite Top 15 TVB Drama Characters | Brother's Keeper (as "Sam Kiu") | Won |
| 2013 | TVB Awards Presentation | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Brother's Keeper | Nominated |
| 2013 | TVB Awards Presentation | Most Popular TV Male Character | Brother's Keeper (as "Sam Kiu") | Nominated |
References
- ^ 2008. "Ruco Chan's Eight-Year Battle". TVB Weekly, p. 110-112.
- ^ "Ruco Chan's Undying Ambition". Mingpao via Jaynestars. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- ^ "Ruco Chan: I sacrificed love my career!". Jaynestars. 2011-11-27. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
- ^ "Eunis Yiu does not rule out dating Ruco Chan again" (in Chinese). Yahoo! Hong Kong Music News. 2011-07-30. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
External links
- Ruco Chan at Sina Weibo
- Ruco Chan at TVB.com
- Woody Chan at IMDb
- Woody Chan Chin-Pang at the Hong Kong Movie Database
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
