Hong Kong actor Chau Pakho on the do’s and don’ts to maintaining a healthy relationship
HONG KONG Cantopop star Chau Pakho has been on a steady ascent in recent years, making a huge splash on the silver screen as well as in the music scene.
The former basketball player, who represented Hong Kong once, also dabbled in modelling before making his big break in the movie industry.
With well-defined cheekbones and a pair of Bambi-like eyes, the 32-year-old has been winning the hearts of female fans.
Complete with a buffed physique, the hunky actor can easily turn any sane female into a shrieking banshee at the drop of his hat, accented by his megawatt smile.
But underneath all that gorgeousness lies a man whose immense talents are the reason for his success. He plays the piano, guitar, writes and even composes his own songs.
With a dozen studio albums and a long list of film credits under his belt, Chau is poised to be the next big Hong Kong superstar.
LIST OF DISAPPOINTMENTS
The boyish star can be seen in 77 Heartbreaks, currently showing in cinemas nationwide.
The flick explores modern-day relationships and poses many thoughtful questions about the tricky and intricate connections between a man and a woman.
In the movie, Chau plays Adam, a selfish man who constantly chooses his friends over his girlfriend, Eva (played by Charlene Choi).
Eva, on the other hand, can be a little demanding and chastises Adam for everything he does.
On the couple’s milestone 10th anniversary, Eva suddenly decides that she’s had enough and wants out. She packs up and leaves Adam.
Feeling dejected, Adam soon discovers an old notebook belonging to Eva. In it, he discovers her writing about the 77 times he had disappointed her during their time together.
Meanwhile, one of Adam’s kickboxing students, Mandy (Michelle Wai), learns of his breakup and takes the opportunity to seduce him.
77 Heartbreaks is directed by Herman Yau and is adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by author Erica Li.
UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT AND PATIENCE
While Adam is projected as an insensitive guy, Chau, on the other hand, is nothing like the character he plays.
In real life, Chau is a loving husband who puts his wife’s interest before his own.
“It takes a lot of understanding and respect to maintain a healthy relationship. I’m truly blessed to have a wife who understands my work and is ever supportive of my artistic and career decisions,” he says in a recent phone interview from Hong Kong.
Chau married his girlfriend of 10 years, Stephanie Chu, in a private ceremony in Phuket, Thailand last year.
Attended by family members and close friends, the wedding took place at a picturesque five-star beach-side resort.
While Adam constantly argues with his girlfriend in the movie, in reality, he would never raise his voice at his loving wife.
“I dare not even talk loudly in front of her,” he says, giggling over the phone.
“Yes, we do have our disagreements from time to time but we would never raise our voices at each other.
“Being mad will not solve any of our problems at all. The key is to always talk things through properly and to have lots of patience,” he adds.
READY FOR A FAMILY
At first, the soft-spoken star couldn’t even raise his voice at his co-star, Choi, during rehearsals prior to filming.
“Choi and I would say our lines over and over again until our voices would become hoarse. At the end of the day, both of us would go around looking for some herbal tea to soothe our throats,” says the actor, who made a lasting impression in movies such as Lan Kwai Fong (2011), S For Sex, S For Secret (2015) and Big Fortune Hotel (2015).
In his latest movie, Chau also shares some intimate scenes with Choi.
Out of respect, Chau “asked” his wife for her permission before filming any of the intimate scenes. “My wife and I talk about this all the time. And I’m thankful that she understands that it’s all part of the job,” he says.
On whether there are plans to start his own family, Chau says that he’s definitely thinking about it. “Right now, I want to focus on my career. There are so many opportunities out there that I can’t say no to at the moment.
“But we’re definitely planning to have kids of our own for sure,” he says excitedly.
Chau was in China for the 20th Shanghai International Film Festiva recently.
After that, the dashing actor was spotted in Kuala Lumpur for the Miss Astro Chinese International Pageant, in which he served as a guest judge.
77 Heartbreaks is now showing in cinemas nationwide.