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With the Lunar New Year movie "Queen of Mahjong" co-produced and co-directed by Wong Jing and Patrick Kong, Kenneth Ma and Samantha Ko, who played the male and female leads in the movie for the first time, took the lead in wishing everyone to get 'rich, rich, rich' and being in luck together in the Year of the Snake, also sharing fun tidbits from the filming and experiencing the New Year atmosphere.
Samantha Ko Self-Drew '13 Orphans' Before
Apart from Samantha and Kenneth, this movie also has Carlos Chan, Dada Chan, Jiro Lee, Benz Hui, Bob Lam, Juliana Kwok, the 'New Generation Lo Fun' Kris Cheung, et al. Samantha, who played the female lead of a movie for the first time, plays an insurance queen and a natural-born mahjong fanatic. She laughingly said that, in reality, not that many people in her household know how to play mahjong. She just learned how to do so in recent years and only knows simple winning mahjong combinations, such as 'all triplets', '13 orphans', and 'big four winds', but has never mistakenly called out a winning hand or made the unintentional mistake of being shorthanded or longhanded. Samantha laughingly said, "I have won with '13 orphans' before. It was a self-drawn win! Someone just asked me if I would 'discard tiles leniently'; I don't know how. Only know how to look at my own tiles and would place them until they are tidy; thus, [I] focus [my] attention on other people's tiles all the time".
Knows About the Staff's Hard Work from Shooting a Mahjong Movie
In order to play a natural-born mahjong fanatic, Samantha watched mahjong-playing clips beforehand and learned gestures, such as stacking tiles; however, she thinks that the staff had a harder time: "They had to prepare the tiles for the entire scene for us to draw the tiles...which tiles had to be drawn, which tiles had to be discarded, and which tiles had to be drawn again. The entire thing had to be planned and arranged...took an hour or two to study the placement. It was only when there were no problems that the actors would then sit down, but these scenes had to be done right. What expression had to be made when whatever tile was drawn...everything had to be acted out!" Kenneth, who played a scientist, invents many things in the movie that want to change the world and benefit mankind; however, only Samantha knows how to appreciate it. In the movie, Kenneth really hates people playing mahjong, so there will be conflicts with her. Although Kenneth laughingly said that there were no mahjong-playing scenes this time, he was exposed by Samantha as being good at playing mahjong in real life. However, Kenneth modestly said that he only knows how to play: "When my mom was holding me, was already watching at the mahjong table. Have known how to play ever since [I] was young, but not to the extent of being good! Just play with [my] family during the New Year...also usually lose. Don't have much luck in gambling...lose every time [I] gamble". On the contrary, Samantha says that she has luck in gambling because she had won with a self-drawn '13 orphans' before...was so excited when [she] won that she took a picture as a keepsake.
Using the New Movie as a Metaphor for Family Affection
The two, who have worked closely together at TVB, shot a movie together for the first time. Samantha highly praised that it is very comfortable to work with Kenneth. Their expressions toward acting are very similar. During rehearsals, [they] often already understand one another when simply reviewing the script...act naturally. Kenneth laughingly said that it feels very interesting to work with her. As long as the character setups and stories are different, they would still have sparks. [He] also said that, in the movie, the two had a hiking scene, and they both added dialogue. After the dialogue was was said, there was a pause...there was a complete tacit understanding. Samantha said, "There were some scenes that I did not expect that I would be moved, but when the emotions naturally surged, others call these a 'stroke of genius'. Kenneth revealed that he and Samantha have a romantic and warm storyline in the movie; the comedic aspects were shouldered by Carlos and Jiro. Samantha highly praised the director's arrangement, which made the movie have laughter within tears and be somewhat enlightening. Kenneth said, "Put mahjong in the context of family affection. In the movie, mahjong is the collection of Samantha and her mom, but I really hate playing mahjong. 'Fat Choi Spirit' used mahjong as a metaphor for life and family affection: the worse the tiles are, the more effort has to put into playing".
Kenneth Ma Invited to Be the Male Lead of a Lunar New Year Movie: "I Have Zero Box Office Though!"
Regarding being the female lead of a Lunar New Year movie for the first time, Samantha frankly said that there is not too much pressure. Very happy to be invited by Wong Jing and Director Patrick...was surprised, excited, and looking forward to it. Really believes in their decision and bountiful experience, frankly saying that, if the post-production work had to be done again, would also tell the director that it was no problem. In the end, the director said that this movie is very funny and expressed having great confidence. Kenneth is also the male lead of a Lunar New Year movie for the first time. When he received the director's invitation, he immediately thought, "What?! I have zero box office though! Because I have never shot a movie before". He also pointed out that the actors' screentime in the movie is very on par, and feels that everyone is the lead, but having the opportunity to perform means that there is confidence in him. He finds it more of a motivation than pressure, and already feels very happy to be fortunate enough to take part.
Non-Stop Work, A Fruitful Year
Regarding the results in 2024, Samantha admitted that it was a fruitful year. Apart form taking part in a Mainland series and the variety show "Memories Beyond Horizon S2", she also took part in the TVB series "Martial Arts World", the Lunar New Year movie "Mahjong", etc., and even won three 'Supporting Actress' awards. She said, "Very grateful. [My] career is getting better and better. In the future, hope to do well for every job and continue to receive everyone's support and encouragement. I will work hard". Kenneth said that, during the pandemic, a lot of work was suspended, but last year, there were more opportunities to make money, such as shooting ads, series, and taking part in this movie, hoping that the Year of the Snake will get better and beeter.
Samantha Ko Making a Charge in Her Career but Does Not Oppose to Romance
As for Samantha, who is single, does she want to find a partner in the new year? She laughingly said, "Kenneth suggested that I join a dating show, but I feel that it cannot be resisted or forced. Fate seems to have arranged for my career to be very incredible these past few years...I will focus on my career. If [I] meet the right person one day, certainly would not resist it! Many people say that it would suddenly appear; you can't stop it. Before it appears, keep looking, but it's not suitable. Then it's better to let nature take its course!" As for whether Kenneth and his wife, Roxanne Tong, want to have a have a baby soon, he expressed leaving it to fate. There would be no pressure even if there are none, even joking that his wife is more concerned about [their] beloved cats than him now. Samantha immediately revealed Roxanne would order long-distance takeout for her husband. Kenneth lost weight before; Roxanne would send a message, asking her if Kenneth had not eaten, so [she] would ask her to order a double portion of takeout. Samantha said, "I also don't know what Kenneth's preferences are, so I had to ask him. He also politely said that there was no need! I said that that would not do. Roxanne told me to order, so his wife helped him choose. After I ordered, I told him, 'Your wife ordered takeout for you!' Then he would eat it obediently".
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