Zhao Wei and Nicky Wu promoting Xia Neu on 7/31/2000 in Hong Kong.

***Article below***

Vicki's attractions was definity strong, earning not only the love of thousands of fans, but also the friendship and care of her fellow actors and actresses. There's been rumors with almost every actor that she has worked witth, (Alec Sue, Nicky Wu, Leo Gu) and now even the infamous comedian Stephan Chow is asking her to be in his new film.

Now, the famous martial arts artor, Chen Leung who has seem many new actors and actresses and yet have never given them any tips, have adviced Vicki of how to maintain her earthiness even in the high and falshy world of entertainment. Though they have only met three times, both of them left a deep image of the other, and have a liking for one another.

As anyone can see, Zhao Wei certainly is "people see, people love" type of person.

8/6/2000-After Huan Zhu Ge Ge made Siao Yan Zi, Zhao Wei an overnight celebrity, there were many news and reports on her. When she was asked whether she was afraid the audience will keep the image of Siao Yan ZI in their mind, Vicki answered carelessy that she didn't. However after HZGG, she filmed Old House Has Joy and The Duel, neither of which left much impression behind in the audience's eyes. Even though rumors and news continue to fly about her, it was still mostly because of her instant fame after HZGG.

Now, her new serie, Xia Neu (Swordgirl) was also a "happy" film. In it, Zhao Wei was once again, funny, cute, overexagerating to get the "female-male effect" as she was going to act as a girl that had grown up more like a boy in the serie. But there were alot of changes too, for in the story, Zhao Wei has to act as both the mother and the daughter. As the mother, she was sweet, quiet, and knowlegeable. She also had to give birth to her child, then died after the baby was born. When the baby grew up, she becomes a tomboy, very straightforward, funny and cute. She hates reading, school, and was too lazy to learn martial arts. Everyday, she would, with the help of her reading partner, Sua Lou Han (Nicky Wu) and her male nanny, they would lied to her father again and again....

Then in the end of the story, Zhao Wei grew up, she fell in love, and finally went back to her female clothes. The scenes intensified, no longer funny as they, (Nicky Wu and Zhao Wei), met, fell in love, fought, then in the end, turned to enemies....

Back in HZGG, whenever Siao Yan Zi cried, it was always loudly, sobbing for all to heaar, but in Xia Neu, a part in episode three where she was saying goodby to Sua Lou Han (Nicky Wu), her heart in her eyes, yet the words of love not coming to her mouth... Instead, she gave him a painting to show her love, yet when he recieved it, he didn't give any knowlege of having understood her meanings... His face blank, he turned and walked away..Her eyes following the back of her love, it flooded up with tears until finally it dropped silently on the painting she still clutched tightly in her hands. Without making a single sound, Zhao Wei cried for her lost love, now a distant shadow far away...

Her crying has improved, her technique so touching. Before, she was apt at making people laugh, now she has learned how to make audiences cry with her.

With the ratings heading up, Zhao Wei might just start up another "hot wave" as she had done 2 years ago with HZGG.

Translated by Michelle

8/5/2000- Although,vicki is a big girl now but she is very timid. she is afraid to watch horror movies and she admitted that she never watch horror movie before.

So there was once,vicki,alec, ruby and others HZGG members went to Taiwan for promotion and after the promotion,one of them suggest to watch movie and so they chose to watch Japan movie called "zhen zi".Vicki told herself, she must try to be brave, so she went in with them but when the show was about to start,suddenly her handphone rings,so she took this opporunity to sneak out of the threate.So in the end,she never took a glance of that show.

Last time,if somebody offered her to act in horror movies,she will turned down the offer immediately but now she wouldn't because she said that just because she is afraid of "this kind of things",she has to face and take the challenges

8/5/2000- In one of the interviews Zhao Wei and Nicky Wu was at while promoting Xia Neu in Hong Kong on the 31st, Zhao Wei and Nicky Wu said that they usually use singing old Little Tigers songs (KTV or CD) during their spare times while filming. Zhao Wei admitted then that she was also once a Little Tigers fans when she was back in Middle School. Nicky Wu laughingly teased that her about her house which had been covered with Little Tigers' poster, saying that she had no taste. Nicky Wu then seriously introduced her (Zhao Wei) as the first female star in (HK, Twaiwan, China)to have ever worked with all three of the tigers. That's why, in the many different little clips, the touching parts, were all part of Zhao Wei and the Little Tigers' deep friendship. Hope that friendship will continue hearafter.

8/2/2000-Lately, there have been alot of rumors on whether Zzhao Wei was going to starr in Stephan Zhou's (Chow) new movie, "Siao Lin Soccor Team." Zhao Wei says that nothing has really been decided though she has met up with Stephan Zhou before to talk over the movie. However, since neither of them were "business" persons, they have yet to have decided anything.

She hasn't seen the script yet, but she has a vague idea that there was going to be two main female leads, one is suppose to be really beautiful, the other ugly. She says that she doesn't think herself very beautiful, and has said she would rather act the uglier soccor team member. But Stephan Chow says that he thinks she is beautiful, and wanted her to act the beautiful lead.

Zhao Wei's manager, Ms. Lee replied that it was too early to talk about whether she was accepting the role or not. But Stephan Zhou really wanted her to do the prettier role for he was afraid fans might protest if they promoted Zhao Wei as an ugly person.

8/2/2000-Even though Xia Neu (Swordgirl) was rumored to have gotten a low rating in Twaiwan when it was aired there, the situation was way different in Hong Kong. With the help of Zhao Wei coming to Hong Kong for a day to promote the serie, Xia Neu's ratings have been very good, up to 14 points, the highest show rating at Ya She (ATV)! Over 900,000 people are watching the serie right now on the ATV channel. Two years ago, the serie starrring Zhao Wei, Huan Zhu Ge Ge had an amazing rating of 20 something points, breaking up TVB's record of having the highest ratings, and HZGG became the highest rating shows in the ATV history! Will Zhao Wei do it again? Who knows, but whoevers in Hong Kong, don't forget to turn on your TV to the ATV channel every night a 8pm!

Upon hearing the news, Nicky Wu said that he was really happy with the ratings for when Xia Neu came out in Twaiwan, the ratings weren't as successful. But, he added, the ratings there have shot up 4 more points...

Old Articles on Vicki (Chui Mei 0r Zhao Wei) translated by a fan.

ATV'S OUTSIDE PURCHASED SHOW PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL CRUSHES TVB

ATV's outside purchased show PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL received unusually high rating, TVB before the millennium faced a huge challenge

Always seen as the weaker station, ATV at the end of June with an outside purchased show PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL (WAN JU GAT GAT) crushed TVB. This RETURNING PEARL storm besides giving ATV history making ratings forced TVB to change their lineup over and over and forced an infotainment show off the air. The final episode of PRINCESS II reached 28 points, even TVB's trump card game show MOVIE BUFF CHAMPIONSHIP was no competition, and broke TVB's habitual ratings.

The lead actresses of PRINCESS, Vicki Zhao Wei and Ruby Lin (Lam Sum Yu), rocketed to fame as both stations fought over her. PRINCESS's unprecedented success not only made ATV purchase more outside shows, but also had TVB following suit.

PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL COUNTERFEITS SELL OUT IN HONG KONG

* Thanks to Chiu Mei and Lam Sum Yu, an old lady makes a killing to bring PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL counterfeit VCD from Shanzhen to Hong Kong (inset) PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL (WAN JU GAT GAT) besides helping ATV beat TVB in the ratings also has helped many people profit. For example in Shanzhen, piracy is really rampant. They sell a collection of PRINCESS VCDs for 280 yuan, but Hong Kong sells it for 780. If it is the dubbed version, it costs 1,680, what a profit!

Thus many elderly ladies are constantly going to Shanzhen to help others bring the goods to Hong Kong for a little cash. Bat Jun thought that last time she went to Shanzhen, for food, fun, and a PRINCESS VCD collection she spent 500. Why bother buying it from Hong Kong VCD shops especially when it costs that much just for the VCD?

However Bat Jun has asked a Causeway Bay VCD store about the sales of PRINCESS. Even with money there is no stock. What a joke?

(9/15/1999) Television series PRINCESS RETURNING PEARL (WAN JU GAT GAT) has swept across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, but according to Chinese press, recently a viewer in Hengzhou has filed a lawsuit against PRINCESS series producer Yiu King and the related television station.

The viewer expressed that he has suffered psychological damages from watching PRINCESS and has asked for 80 million in return. He also requested that the court to prohibit the national broadcast of the show and sales of related products.

The viewer mentioned 4 reasons for the lawsuit. He expressed that the series has caused damages to his children, grandchildren and descendants. First the deranged Little Swallow is liked by countless youth and has become an idol for them to worship and imitate; also his 5 year old grandchild has imitate Little Swallow's fake suicide in the show; the series also has misdirected morals with two superstitious ghost scenes.

(APPLE DAILY 8/20/1999) "Little Swallow" Zhao Wei (Chiu Mei) two nights ago attended the 10th Annual Chinese Television Golden Eagle Award Presentation in Shanzhen's Future Era Square where she and YONGZHENG DYNASTY star Tong Kwok Keung won the Best Actress and Actor awards respectively.

However during the celebration that followed, the press "ganged up" on Chiu Mei who broke into tears.

Actually the Mainland reporters were already upset with the event arrangements because most of them were unable to interview Chiu Mei. During the celebration, Chiu Mei was a full 45 minutes late, which led to an unprecedented round of fire at her from the press.

"GET OUT!"

"NO PICTURE OF HER. SHE IS SO LATE, LET'S GO!"

"WHY ARE YOU LATE? DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ALL THAT GREAT?"

"WINNING AN AWARD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE, ARE YOU GETTING A SWELL HEAD?"

Chiu Mei could not tolerate the insults and began to cry. However the Mainland reporters continued their assault, "WHY ARE YOU CRYING? WHAT'S THERE TO CRY ABOUT?"

Chiu Mei explained that the committee did not notify her to attend, and because she had to return to the hotel to change she was late. However the crew immediately refuted, "We have made arrangements!" and put Chiu Mei in an awkward position.

After the "beating" Chiu Mei kept wiping her tears and wept for nearly 15 minutes, but during that time fans continued to ask her for autographs. She signed them as she cried.

After half an hour Chiu Mei finally left the venus and had a late night snack with her manager until 2:00AM when she left in better spirits.

Actually there were signs of dispute because Chiu Mei and Mainland reporters early on. Earlier when she promoted her movie DEJA VU (YUEN, MIU BUT HO YIN) in Shanghai and Beijing, the reporters were already on her case about being late, especially in Beijing when the reporter's line of questioning made her cry.

8/2/2000-For the promotion of the eight pm show, Xia Neu (Swordgirl), Zhao Wei has asked the QSSYMM manager for a one day break so she can come to Hong Kong for the promotion. Her request was granted, and on the July 30th, Zhao Wei finally came to Hong Kong. Ever since April, Zhao Wei has not had had a chance to visit Hong Kong, and the fans obviously missed her as they surrounded her at the airport with bouquets of flowers, gifts, and etc when she arrived at 10pm that night. With the fans, were a crowd of reporters that smothered her with questions the minute she got off. Smilingly, she answered their questions, talking slowly in manderan so they can understand... it was after all, Hong Kong, where most chinese spoked cantonese. Patiently she stood as they took picture after pictures before she was finally hurried out of the airport by the people that had came to get her, one of them incuding a high executive of ATV who had come to get her personally.

At 11:30pm, Zhao Wei arrived at her 5 star hotel where it was said that it costed $10,000 per night to stay there. But because she was "Siao Yan Zi", she was given a discount. As to how much the discount is, who knows? But even though it was already late, Zhao Wei could not get her rest. She still had to talk to themany reporters first, as they asked for the interviews. Still, ever since she's gotten off the plane, she's being smiling, and was obviously in a good mood, saying she didn't mind. It wasn't until the early 4am before she can finally go to bed.

As she could only stay for a mere day, Ya She (ATV) that was broadcasting Xia Neu (Swordgirl) decided that they had to 'use' VIcki as much as they could. In the hours that she was there, Vicki rushed through various shows, interviews, and fans meeting...Her scheduled were packed.

She got up the next day, (7/31/2000) at 7am for she had to get ready for the hectic day, putting on makeup, and all. She only slept for a short 3 hour, more like a nap than a night's rest, but still, her moods remain high and energectic.

At 9:30am, she met up with the rest of the cast, including Nicky Wu, and accepted an intereview with for one of the shows (Gon Ti). Even before she got there though, the many reporters and fans have already arrived to wait for her, standing outside under the blazing sun.

From 10:20am to 10:50am, Zhao Wei and Nicky Wu accepted an interview with another show, (Shan Ti). Then reporters waited outside the recording room as they did the interviews inside. They were asked questions that ranged from the story of Xia Neu to Nicky and Zhao Wei's rumors, but Zhao Wei kept smiling, undisturbed. Nicky Wu's cantonese was excellant and during the interview, he helped Zhao Wei out as she strived to understand their questions.

Then from 11:20am to 12:00pm, they went on to do the Sing Chen interview.

From 12:15pm to 12:30pm, Zhao Wei went on to visit the young childrens. It was at first planned for the childrens to hold a little dance skit for them, but because of the people, they were forced to cancel in the end, and could only stay for 15 minutes for the childrens to say hi to Zhao Wei and kiss her goodbye.

At 1:00, it was lunch time. After a busy morning, Zhao Wei finally escaped the reporters' clutches, and headed for an exclusive restaurant where she had lunch with one of ATV's high excutive under the bodyguards' protection where they stayed until 2:15pm.

At 2:30pm to 3:00pm, Zhao Wei and Nicky Wu held a small fans meeting. which attracted more than 500 fans, turning the 'small' meeting into a good sized one. Wearing a lovely white backless designer halter top, Zhao Wei showed her tanned lovely skin, Zhao Wei spent the whole time smiling and talking to Nicky Wu and the fans, still in goo spirit. But to the disappointmen of her fans, she only stayed for half an hour before she hurried away once more.

Finally, the last interview of the day... After she came back from the meeting, Zhao Wei took a much needed rest before the reporters arrived once more to discuss her entire day. From 4:00pm to 4:30pm, Zhao Wei and the director of Xia Neu (Swordgirl) answered the reporters' questions. Zhao Wei says, "I'm so glad QSSYMM let me come to Hong Kong for a day to promote the show. This time, I packed three days' clothes and had to wear the 6 outfits all in one day. there's two outfits I haven't even had a chance to wear it!"

At 5:00pm, Zhao Wei packed up her bags, and was taken to the airport for her plane was to leave at 7pm. Saying a sad goodbye to Hong Kong, she hurried back to QSSYMM to continue with the filming. Her "one day" of promotion in Hong Kong had become a twenty two hour job, a short whirlwind visit.