K TEAM credits PATRICK LAM for capturing stunning moments of actor BYRON PANG in ACTION.
This PICTORIAL feature is a COLLABORATION between the K TEAM PRODUCTIONS group andPATRICK LAM PHOTOGRAPHY (Hong Kong).
BYRON PANG.
New Kid on the block.
He’s ASIA’s latest Fight Actor and Stunt Choreographer.
To start off with, let’s ROCK to the RHYTHM
and DANCE to the beat of an old familiar hit:
“EVERYBODY is KUNG FU FIGHTING!”
Yeah, that’s the inimitable BYRON PANG!
BYRON PANG 彭罡原
His own STORY on KUNG FU FIGHTING
These days he’d prefer to be known for his fighting skills.
He has traveled the long road and had worked on a gamut of action roles, ranging from an invincible SWORDSMAN to a SHAOLIN MONK.
He had received focus training in the art of WUSHU for more than 10 years and is still on the go.
He speaks impeccable MANDARIN (a clear TAIWANESE accent), ENGLISH, and naturally, CANTONESE.
The real BYRON PANG?
“I relish a true sense of adventure.
I am hungry for danger.
I love competitive sports such as Martial Arts (Wushu), parachuting, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, mountain biking, car racing and deep sea diving. You name it, I might have tried them all.”
1. How did you first step into the world of show business? Are there any memorable first jobs?
Well, I was a contestant in Mr. Hong Kong 2005, where I won the runner-up position. It wasn’t a job, but it was certainly a memorable experience for me.
2. Were there any mentors who helped you along the way?
I think without a doubt, Scud has been an important influence on my film career. Not only did he give me my first big break in film, the character of Kafka in Amphetamine has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling role for me. I am very thankful and honoured to be able to continue working with such a visionary director like Scud.
3. Actors sometimes have to tackle difficult or complex roles. Which was the first really challenging character you’ve had to portray? And which was the most satisfying?
As mentioned, Kafka in Amphetamine has been my watershed role. It was not only physically challenging, but I think that audiences will also be able to empathize deeply with the character I played, and the trials and tribulations he had to endure.
4. How important or useful is the Director’s insight when you are playing these intricate roles?
Scud has been an incredible revelation in how I play my roles. He challenged me to push myself to the limits, to do the things I never would have dreamt of doing. If not for Scud, I would not become the actor that I am today.
5. How do you usually go about developing or establishing a character’s traits?
The director will of course give me a deep insight into my character’s role and personality, but every actor will need to put their own thoughts and feelings into the characters we play – to make the character our own. After all, it is my face that’s going to be on film. I don’t just become my character, I feel what my character goes through in the story, then react as my own person would react. I become the character – the character becomes me.
6. As audiences, it is vital that we sympathize or relate to film characters on some level. How important is it for an actor to empathize with the characters they are playing?
If we do not try to understand our character, then we don’t deserve to play the role. How can I possibly act out an emotion if I cannot imagine how my character expresses it?
7. What steps do you take in order to do that?
I try to find out as much as I can about the character I’m playing. Everything from the background, history and motivations for the role. Thankfully, a good director like Scud will often help me to understand my role better, and give me suggestions for how to express myself in the role I play.
8. Are there any roles you’ve taken that were hard or just impossible to relate to?
Not really. Maybe in my early career, when some of the roles I took on were more stereotypical. You don’t really get attached to those kind of roles – they’re more like a job to get done. In my bigger roles, I am lucky to have a good director to guide me along the way.
9. Is there a particular direction you wish to take in terms of your acting career?
I have always had a strong background in martial arts, so I would see myself focusing on more action-oriented roles. I am also very interested in and have been doing some martial arts and stunt choreography. My first love is still acting of course.
10. Have you ever thought about branching out? Maybe to direct, produce, or write your own projects?
I guess it’s still too early to say, but never say never. My interest in martial arts though means that I will be working on developing martial arts and stunt choreography for some future films. In fact, I have already been asked. We’ll have to see how that takes off though.
11. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Hopefully on the world stage as a recognized character actor and action star? Who knows? But one thing for sure is that I’ll be constantly pushing myself to achieve more in my career. I will not be afraid to take on new, and even more challenging and controversial roles if necessary.
It has been an aesthetic pleasure working with Hong Kong ace fashion photographer PATRICK LAM to produce these stunning shots. I urged Patrick that BYRON PANG should be styled with a touch of elegance, at the same time enhancing his gritty boy-next-door looks. Patrick has not only done what I envisioned, but has created an amazing balance. Thanks, Patrick.
BYRON has worked on a gamut of roles, ranging from an invincible SWORDSMAN to a SHAOLIN MONK.
He has received focus training in the art of WUSHU for more than 10 years.
He speaks impeccable MANDARIN (with a clear TAIWANESE accent), ENGLISH, and naturally, CANTONESE.
“I relish a true sense of adventure and danger. I love competitive sports such as Martial Arts (Wushu), parachuting, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, mountain biking, car racing and deep sea diving. I have tried them all.”
BYRON PANG 彭罡原
Fashion Photography by PATRICK LAM (Hong Kong)
Whatever happened to cherubic BYRON PANG since his lead role in AMPHETAMINE 安非他命?
Lots, really.
Right now he’s a Best New Actor NOMINEE for the 30th Hong Kong Film Awards 2011.
Of course, he’s deliriously happy.
Hard work has paid off, and he’s being recognized now as a serious actor and not just a pretty face.
For the last many months, he has been attending the renowned festival circuits promoting AMPHETAMINE his debut feature film with him in the leading role.
So he’s been travelling, spending time mostly out of Hong Kong.
He’s trying his hand at writing a script, but please, no further comments as he’s keeping mum at this moment.
He’s also considering a European art house feature which would take him out of Hong Kong for a period of time.
His diary is full.
His manager is sieving through several scripts on hand, from around the region and he knows he’s going to be pretty busy the entire 2011 with the ongoing line-ups.
He is quoting MARIA ROBINSON’s verse when he says, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning. But anyone can start TODAY and make a new ENDING”.
Right.
“I am like this bird that’s setting its hopes high because there’s a song to be sung if we all work hard,” he beams brightly.
“Every man sings his own song, and in life, you don’t just wait.” he adds.
BYRON reads Chinese philosophy.
“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it’s not open” is his rationale at sensible experimenting before deciding on the straight path.
“Be your own soul, learn to live” is his motto for the thrills and spins in dangerous sports.
“And if malicious people thwart you, take no heed. If they hate you, have no care.” He had his fair share of foul mouthing and bad press and he learns now to cope better.
Sing your song, dream your dream,
hope your hope
and pray your prayer.
Because every actor has his own song to sing, he sums up.
A Close-Up VIEW of BYRON PANG, leading actor from AMPHETAMINE.
He’s a rookie Hong Kong Actor, fresh from his much talked about controversial role in the gay-genre film AMPHETAMINE.
He’s also the latest pin-up boy with the cheeky, cherubic smile.
His name is BYRON PANG.
Watch this name, if you must.
And if you can unearth the outer layers, you’ll find that this bold actor is brimming with undeveloped potential inside.
He runs a gamut of expressions and is gesticulative.
“You can say I am an unpolished jade with a complex persona.
I’m emotional, a draw between a devil or angel, depending on my mood swings,” he says softly. ” I am presently in my mid-20s.”
But he does look a lot younger.
On screen, the pretty-boy image fits him like a glove. Yet he aspires to play the misfit.
He seeks greater challenges in acting roles.
I like to walk the line, he enthuses.
For sure, he has the smoldering look to pass off as a Korean or Japanese idol.
I am proud to be Chinese, he muses.
He has the gift of conversing in perfect Mandarin with a trace of the Taiwanese accent that is ultra perfecto.
I love martial arts, swimming, scuba diving, horse riding and and any form of active sports, he asserts.
I love singing too, he trails off.
For a fact, he’s hot.
He has self-assuring imploring, impish eyes
and a ready smile that can melt the heart of any gal.
Or guy for that matter.
“I am throwing out any emotional baggage that is toxic,
re-inventing myself and my image from now on,” he points out.
“I am leaving the past behind. Life just has to move on.”
For a fact, he has changed his Chinese characters to read "彭罡原"
denoting a dragon in hibernation now rising to an explosive form of renewed energy.
He is still BYRON PANG in English context though.
“You are one of the first few to know,” he jests.
BYRON PANG.
Here’s looking at you, dude!
THE “CLOSE-UP” INTERVIEW
Byron, why did you change your Chinese name to "彭罡原"?
Is it a need for image re-invention? A new career headstart?
Yes, you can say it’s a brand new beginning. The last two years had been pretty rough and tough. There were latent family and personal problems that I have to deal with. I could not focus on my acting career. I neglected it. I was stressed, but life now has to move on.
That serious?
Yes, pretty much so. To the extent that I almost headed for a mild depression. But everything’s perfectly normal now. I am leaving the past behind. I am now like a battery recharged. I am renewed,eager to face a new future.
You speak impeccable Mandarin, with a tinge of Taiwanese accent. Where did you pick this up?
Both of my parents are from mainland China. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I learn my fluent Mandarin from my parents. I watch a lot of Taiwan dramas. I also speak Cantonese and English, of course.
What is your astrological sign?
I am a LIBRA. I am strong-willed and fiercely independent.
What have you done so far in terms of acting?
I performed a slew of TVB Cantonese dramas, none of which I am proud of. I played a cameo in the recent STORM RIDERS 2 and a lead role in the controversial AMPHETAMINE. I can still be considered as a rookie in the entertainment industry.
Tell me more about AMPHETAMINE the movie?
It’s a real difficult role. It’s kind of a demon-and-angel type. I have to run a gamut of raw emotions ranging from intense anger, rage, pain, contentment and sorrow. I played this guy who has finally discovered, an unexpected love that was doomed from the start. That is the sad character of KAFKA, a drug-addictive fallen angel. It’s perplexing to “psyche” myself for the role, as KAFKA even gets to be gang-raped in the movie. It’s my best role to date, a big challenge. I am proud of it. I give it my all.
What made you do a gay-genre movie?
And why not? I am a professional actor. I will never reject a good script.
You have no qualms about the full-frontal nudity in key scenes?
Never. As long as the script instructs and as long as I have accepted the part, nothing will ever deter me, ever. I welcome challenges. I’ll believe in art. I will sacrifice for art’s sake. But only with an excellent film director and director-of-photography.
Your co-actor is Thomas Price. How do you find working with him and sharing intimate scenes?
Things are cool and professional between us. Off screen, Thomas is a fun guy to be with.
What about Scud, the film director and screen writer?
Scud is my mentor. He took a gamble to cast me in the role of KAFKA. I have to thank him profusely for his trust in my acting ability to pull off this complex character of KAFKA. It had been a good collaboration.
You gotten some bad press in the past. Can you elaborate on this?
The Hong Kong paparazzi is notorious for digging dirt to sell their publications. There’s nothing I can really do. As an actor, I have to deal with news, regardless of good or bad. I have to take things in one stride, to be professional. Bad news is better than nothing, right? (grins)
Do you have a lot of good friends in the entertainment industry?
Some, not many. Here you are swimming with the sharks. You tend to have more competitors than real friends. The film industry is fraught with fellow hypocrites more than anywhere else. Almost everyone is wearing a mask, adopting a facade of sorts. Never really believe what you hear sometimes.
Have you ever been passed up for any role before?
I am sure all artistes face this predicament. It happened to me a few times. It’s an actor’s lot. You win some, you lose some. You get to know that, in the entertainment scene, it is not what you know, but who you really know that gets you where you are.
What is your next project?
It’s a Taiwanese musical feature called ROCK ON!
Do you believe in love and sex in a relationship?
Yes, very much so. Sex is great, but only if there’s a relationship. Nothing exists happily without a relationship. It is of supreme importance.
What is love in your point of view?
To love, respect and take care of your better half, no matter what you do or how tough the going is.
So you believe in the power of love?
Don’t you? What’s the use of all the money in the world if there’s NO real love? I am scared of this element called loneliness, to be alone to face my existence within the four walls. For sure, money cannot buy love. No way! (shrugs).
What is your motto in life?
Striving to be an honest and likable person at all times, knowing that this is a tall order. There are no perfections in this world. Treasure friends and loved ones who are here for you now, but may not be around the next time.
I hear that you are really good at Martial Arts?
Yes, I spent a good number of years learning WUSHU. I discover personal and spiritual growth though this form of martial arts. It is like the cleansing and re-awakening of my soul.
Can you describe yourself in 3 little words?
Loyal, straightforward and down-to-earth.
What else would you like to say to conclude this interview?
There are special friends out there who have helped me along my journey of learnings. A big THANK YOU to you all.
- END of INTERVIEW –
It’s insightful talking to BYRON PANG.
He’s candid about life, career and friends.
He believes in life and loving, a love without limits, a life without fears.
There’s a better tomorrow if we seek it, if we redeem ourselves.
And that is exactly what he is going to do.
“I am going to put the past behind,” he concluded. “From now
