Since leaving TVB in 2010, Sammul Chan (陳鍵鋒) has slowly but surely built a successful career in mainland China. With nearly 5 million fans on Weibo, Sammul is certainly one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. Despite this, he remains humble and diligent, willing to put in utmost effort to achieve perfection on the set. At a recent interview, Sammul spoke extensively about his professional attitude and discussed the consequences of his fervent attention to details.
Sammul began his career in the entertainment industry after being recruited as a radio DJ. At 19, Sammul entered TVB, and in a few years’ time, became one of the station’s top young actors. Although his popularity continued to rise, Sammul received limited screen time and promotional opportunities since he did not sign a management contract with TVB. Displeased by the company’s contract policies, Sammul left the station when his contract expired in late 2010. Since then, Sammul has been active in China and has starred in several notable mainland productions.
With a rising career in China and a steady income stream, some may think that Sammul is no longer interested in returning to his native Hong Kong. He debunked this assumption immediately, sharing that he has been flying back to Hong Kong during breaks for the past three years. “Many people wondered why I don’t live in mainland. I still think of Hong Kong as my home. My friends and family are here. Everything is much more convenient here.” When asked if he would consider filming again in Hong Kong, Sammul would certainly consider it if the right script comes along.
BUT why is every Sammul article nowadays sound like he is complaining about something?
agree why with all the displeasure when i keep hearing that he’s having a great success and money in mainland now especially after beauty of the game? in fact he should be feeling carefree and happy now but i also keep getting that he’s still complaining and dissatisfied in all his latest interviews even after many years in mainland. why? money in mainland not enough? no boyfriend?
i mean no girlfriend. and why was he never had one when he has 5 million fans? what’s wrong? too seriousuptight? afterall he did scold his own fans back then.
I was wondering the same thing… Strange… About whether he has a girlfriend or not, I guess maybe he is too into his work that he has no time for love. There is nothing wrong with that.
What exactly did he complain about?
He didn’t complain?? Then why is everyone saying that he did. I am sooo confused.
That’s my point. He didn’t complain but as usual people are reading whatever they want into it.
I actually admire that he strongly stands for his own rights and principles. He makes a good point..
SPOT ON. I mean it’s understandable that some things such as filming can be very unpredictable, many factors that affect filming hence causing shooting hrs to go over time. But at the same time, companies and directors also have to respect artists’ assigned working hours hence their contracts…or else all artists’ would be taken advantage of such as what TBB does imo.
I’m not too fond of Sammul overall, but I do like the fact that he stands his ground when it comes to his own values and principles — especially given that he’s in the entertainment industry, where it is generally very hard to survive long-term if you have a ‘strong’ personality like that. Yes, it does come across like he’s ‘complaining’ all the time and of course, he will get lumped into the ‘difficult to work with’ category of artists….but if he’s able to find success, then so be it.
I don’t find anything wrong with Sammul. He seems like a decent guy who works hard and he may act like he is difficult at times, but you have to understand what he is going through. At least he is not being or acting fake just to try to please them or anyone. He is being real and showing his true feelings which I do not find a bad thing at all.
@HTS: Exactly! That’s why in a sense, I don’t understand people’s mentality when they criticize artists for ‘complaining’ about things. On the one hand, people complain about majority of the artists in the entertainment industry being ‘fake’ and giving PC responses to every question, yet these same people also criticize artists like Sammul, Jessica, Felix, Wong He, Michael Tao, etc. for ‘speaking up’ about unjust treatment they received from their previous employers (or others for that matter). Nowadays, it seems like with everything artists do and say, they are ‘damned if they do and damned if they don’t’. Sad….
This guy’s face looks very unnatural and stiff and why does he always look like he’s wearing red lipstick? Are his lips naturally this red or what? He reminds me of a woman.
stiff face? Sammul Chan? Hell-oh, he’s one of my fav for that talented facial acting!
Heck no, i’m talking about literally stiff and unnatural not figuratively speaking or referring to his acting ability. Saw him in only 2 serials, that Sentinel something and Comeback Clan. Can’t say i was impressed at all.
I do not think he has had any PS so how can his face be stiff??? Unless he uses botox which I am not sure about. Maybe his lips are naturally red???
He reminds me of Hawick with that same plasticky, frozen botoxed face. Never impressed with his acting at all. Like Hawick, he’s an ex-tvb 3rd liner who got lucky in China.
Both Sammul and Hawick were not 3rd line actors in TVB. Sammul was the lead in Come Back Clan and Hawick in My Family. They didn’t get lucky in China. They did well in their roles. Have you watched their mainland productions?
To Primrose: Sammul was not main lead in Comback Clan, main lead was Ha Yu, Sammul was only supporting, the story did not revolve around him. Hawick also played supporting roles only in tvb. He was co-lead with Patrick Tham in an atv drama which i can’t remember the title but his acting was stiff as a pole as the villain. Thanks but i hate china productions.
He does have some feminine looks, maybe he is gay.
Just because a guy looks a bit on the feminine side does NOT mean that he is gay. I have seen and known many very manly guys that are gay and have known girly guys that are not gay. A guys looks alone does not dictate that is gay or not.
He sounds abit arrogant. As if he is really really good at acting. Honestly he can act, but ok lar.
I do not think he is really arrogant but is just speaking his mind. I am sure many artists are fed up with TVB and other things in this e world but they do not dare to say anything, while Sammul has that courage to do so. I don’t find that a bad thing. Life in this circle is really hard.
He has good principles but it’s obvious why he never fit in with TVB.
He seems really FEDUP with tvb!
I think a lot of people are but they do not dare to displease them.
I liked seeing him paired with Ron. They had a good balance…visually.
Don’t really know the guy… but he seems to wear more makeup than my wife!
Interesting. He comes off as a lazy, playful type of guy onscreen, but not so much offscreen, lol I respect him for sticking up to his principles.
Sammul, no need to hide lah. Chow Yun Fat also take the subway and goes to market.
Here I come with my numerology again.
34 is a very practical and formal number. It does not like to step outside of the personality it shows others, though breakdowns may occur behind closed doors. It is about orderly growth and sticking to the facts. In fact, 34 can be relied upon to give straight honest answers to most questions as it lays out the facts as they are. Like all 7′s, it is introspective and if not spiritual, then philosophical. It is a very patient number as it understands that the best things in life take time to acquire. It travels much, and its journeys only add to its growing pool of wisdom. Negatively, it is selfish and lacks common sense. It can be too energetic and can burn out before getting started on a project. It must control its impulsiveness.