| Brother/Manager Claims Dicky Cheung Wai Kin Shortchanged by TVB |
| June 25, 1997 The recasting of TVB's sequel to Journey To The West (Sai Yau Gei) has brought the relationship between TVB and Dicky Cheung Wai Kin to the worst point ever. On June 26th Cheung Wai Kin's brother/manager, released an announcement to the press pointing out that what TVB's assistant production chief supervisor Tsang Lai Chun said is different from the truth and has created great disturbance and damage to Kin Jai. Although, he wasn't willing to discuss whether the problem lies in the offer being too low, according to sources, the 2000% raise from $3,000 to $60,000 an episode and $2.4 million for 40 episodes was just rumors. In reality because Kin Jai still owes TVB about 20 episodes on his contract, TVB thought 20 extra episodes is reasonable, but Kin Jai who is popular in Taiwan naturally has different ideas. Reportedly, TVB's offer was unbelievably low, suggesting a 100% increase to only $6,000 per episode, making only $180,000 for all 40 episodes for half a year and only $30,000 a month, an amount that could be made by many in Hong Kong! It still doesn't compensate for the fur make up in the sun or the rain. Only after Kin Jai didn't respond was a little more was added to the raise, in the end there still is a great distance between the final figure and the $1 million goal. On top of that he would be paid the old figur for the old contract and the new salary only counts for the new 20 episodes. TVB saw Kin Jai still didn't react much and got "mad," suddenly taking action! But on June 26th, Lai Yiu Cheung admitted after the first Journey To The West he renewed his contract with TVB for around $600,000. Why would TVB treat Cheung Wai Kin so badly!? Perhaps they felt he was "disobedient"! Now using the "Vitasoy Kid" Chan Ho Man, TVB is believed to save a bundle! To friends from the press: I, Cheung Wai ?, noticed the latest announcement fromTVB, including the words of assistant production chief supervisor Tsang Lai Chun on June 25th, 1997, which for the most part didn't match the truth we know about. Unfortunately, the report from TVB has created great disturbance and damage to Mr. Cheung Wai Kin. From the beginning of the year, I have been actively negotiating with TVB about Mr. Cheung Wai Kin's role in the sequel to Journey To The West and contract renewal, but because TVB changed the number of episodes in the show, we were forced to reschedule other work and plan anew. Before both sides have another chance to continue with negotiation, TVB has made the decision to recast. We feel it is necessary to clarify the information TVB has provided so far according the commercial rules and confidentiality of both sides to the general public and the media. We still clearly understand from the beginning we discuss the sequel and contract renewal with great sincerity with TVB, only because TVB changed the number of episodes had the earlier negotiation gone to waste. Further more, just when both sides were actively in contact and seek way to resolve the problem, TVB suddenly made the decision to recast. Toward this point, we are deeply sorry. Cheung Wai ? |
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| Courtesy of "Wolverine's News of the Week" |